Ploughboy  Notes  Source  Whalesite

DESCENDANTS OF THE MUTINEERS OF THE BOUNTY.

      The following interesting information regarding the Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty, is derived from a letter of date 31st March last, received by the family of a young gentleman belonging to Greenock, who is an officer on board H. M. S. Amphitrite, one of the British squadron in the Pacific: —

      "At daylight, observed Pitcairn's Island, about 30 miles off; at 10 p.m. were close to it, and stood off for the night, under easy sail. 17th, at daylight, we hove too off Bounty Bay and fired a gun, which was repeated at 6.30 a.m., and soon afterwards we saw a whale-boat full of islanders coming out. They got alongside about 7.30 (there were 13 in the boat). They were, on the whole, fine-looking men. We had no news to give them, for they have had as late European news as ourselves. The cutter left the ship at 8.30 a.m., intending to wait outside the surf for the whale-boat, in which I took a passage, as I was late for the first boat. We left about nine o'clock, and went directly on shore, as we had a boat-load of gear for the islanders, so that we were to first to land. We crossed the surf quite easily, and on landing found Mr. Nobbs with the greater portion of the males and children, assembled on the beach. We received a hearty welcome, and, after the party from the cutter had joined us, proceeded up the hill, which is about 300 feet perpendicular: it is very bad at any time, but being late in the day, after some rain had fallen, it was dreadfully slippery, and we all had one or two tumbles coming down. We reached the market-place (after a climb over 500 yards of ground), as it is called, being a space at the top of the hill under some cocoanut trees, in about ten minutes, and there were surprised by seeing nearly all the ladies, about fifty or so, awaiting our arrival. I was greatly pleased, and so was everybody, for you go a long way before you would see such a collection of pretty, good-humored, cheerful faces. They were, most of them, a little shy at first, but it wore off. After chatting a short time, we went on to the settlement, and walked about, seeing everything and everybody. We all dined about noon, each family asking two or three, and to that house where you dined you were expected to go, if you wanted water or a melon — in fact, make it your home pro tem. We soon got a little singing up. and the ladies favored us with 'God save the Queen,' the 'Pitcairn Song,' and two or three others. They sang very nicely, and so pleased the captain that he said he would wait till next day, instead of sailing at dark, as he intended at first. The girls made very pretty wreaths: they are made of a flower very much like a red daisy, and they wear them round their heads. The whale-boat came off at seven p.m., and was hoisted up to the port main rigging for the night — the islanders (about a dozen) sleeping in the after cabin. They are dressed nearly all alike, except the Nobbs', who wear shoes, and are regarded as superior. There are only eight of the first generation, — two men and six women. The oldest man is 60, and the oldest woman is between 70 and 80. None of these will leave the island; at least they say so, and only wish removal to Norfolk Island for their children's benefit, for they say in a few years the island will be too small for them. The number of inhabitants at present is 190, — 95 males and 95 females. They are all in good health except Reuben, Mr. Nobbs's eldest son, who is in consumption, and cannot live many weeks longer. They were greatly pleased with our presents, and they sent off to the ship's company lots of pumpkins, water melons, plaintains, &c. Every house is beautifully clean, and, for the first time after leaving England, I have seen scrapers, which are made out of old cutlasses. The houses have the sleeping places made like bunks round one side, and there is generally, besides a chest or two of drawers, a table, a stool, and a cupboard. Some of them have a slight partition, where the father and mother sleep: the rest are berthed indiscriminately. All the bunks have curtains to let down. They are all excellent swimmers, being in the water as soon as they can walk. The women are considered the best. I expect we are the last man-of-war who will see them before their division; for I suppose they will remove either this year or the beginning of next. We took a great many letters for them, and bought several away, mostly for officers who have been there. They were all very sorry at our leaving, and some of the women cried; some of the men, also, I think. There was only a little dispute about some land, which had to be referred to the Captain, and that was very soon satisfactorily settled. They generally rise at daylight and begin the day's work, but, strange to say, they eat nothing till noon, then generally vegetable food, with meat once or twice a week only: they have a supper about 7 o'clock, and go to bed about 8 p.m. The houses are raised about three feet off the ground, and thatched with palm-leaves, with good eaves, so that all the rain runs off clear. The thatching lasts a long time. About 11 o'clock a.m. the islauders on board left, loaded with presents for themselves and the ladies. Just after they pushed off they gave three cheers, which were heartily returned; they then pulled for the shore, and we made all plain sail, with a freshening breeze."

      This article was republished widely in Australia, including the following newspapers: Empire (Sydney), Courier (Hobart), Goulburn Herald, Launceston Examiner, Adelaide Times, Cornwall Chronicle, Perth Gazette.

"Descendants of the Mutineers of the Bounty."
      The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Tuesday, 4 Sep 1855, Page 6.

Ploughboy  Notes  Source  Whalesite