Pitcairn's Island  Source  Whalesite

      We sailed for Pitcairn's Island on the 8th of December 1838. We could not anchor. The natives swam off and enjoyed a visit to the ship. They were exceedingly well conducted, and the island produced enough for their simple wants. They were healthy, and two of the original arrivals with the Bounty were still alive. I was not very well, and unable to land, but the captain and several officers did so. We deported from the island a gentleman, a member of an English University, who, having spent all his money, had obtained a passage in an American whaler and landed about two years before. He had persuaded the islanders to maintain him and appoint him their schoolmaster, but he was not well calculated for the post, and his wants were found to be a heavy tax upon the inhabitants. On the passage to Valparaiso he regaled us with anecdotes of high life, and would seem on his own showing to have been a boon companion of Frederick, Duke of York, beginning many of his stories with "When I was sipping my Clos Vougeot with His Royal

Highness." He landed at Valparaiso, and we saw him no more. This was some years before the removal of the Pitcairn Islanders to Norfolk Island which had such unfortunate results. At the time of our visit the community was most interesting, and the simple Christianity which they professed and practised seemed to guide them in all the transactions of their daily life. I give the statistical account of the island at the time of our visit.¹

      The births, marriages, and deaths during the last twelve months: —

      Births (6). — Only one instance on record of twins being born.

      Deaths (1). — Only one death has occurred in the last four years.

      Old Maids. — Mary Christian, 1st; Mary Christian, 2nd.

      Quadrupeds. — Ox, goat, hog, ass, dogs (3), cat, rat.

      Birds. — Domestic fowl, ducks, tern, gull, Tropic-bird, petrel, species of white sparrow.

      Fish. — Grouper, snapper, shark, sepia or cuttlefish. These the principal food.

      Reptiles. — Lizard.

      Minerals. — Volcanic formation.

      Vegetable productions fit for food: —

            Natural. — Yams, plantains, potatoes (sweet), cocoanut, sugar-cane, bread-fruit.

            Artificial. — Indian corn, taro, onions, pepper, lime, orange, papa apple, melons.

      Pineapple, vine, and common potato have been tried, but without much success.

      Brousonetia papyrifera. } From the prepared bark of both

      Morus papyrifera. }     tapa is manufactured.

      The inner bark is added to the pulp if a brown colour is wanted for the cloth.

      Morenda citrifolia. — The inner bark of this tree as a yellow dye, and the flowers as hair ornaments.

      Aleurites triloba, or candlenut tree. The bark as a red dye, the flowers for the hair.

      Dracaena terminalis, or ti tree. The leaves are used for cooking; also good fodder. The root, sugar. Amomum, or ginger.

      Nicotiana, or tobacco.

      Banyan Tree.

      Pandanus odoratissimus. Flowers for hair.

      Shells. — One species of mucrex; one species of helix; two species of neritas; one species of patella; one species of buccinum.

      Diseases. — Asthma — most prevalent; rheumatism; dysentery — chiefly in December.

      Temperature. — Thermometer during summer months ranges from 70° to 80°; during winter from 60° to 70°, with heavy showers. No spring or river water to be found on the island. The rain is collected in reservoirs.

Pitcairn's Island  Source  Whalesite