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Report on Pitcairn Island',
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REPORT ON PITCAIRN ISLAND,
H. M. S. "COMUS" at Sea.
Lat: 39° 44' S. Long:100 31' W. 23rd November 1897. Sir, I have the honour to report that the population of Pitcairn Island is now 149, having increased from 136 in 1894. During the last 18 months there have been seven births, one death from natural causes, and two murders (vide special letter). Robert Buffett is the oldest inhabitant, being 76 years of age. He is the son of the man who in 1823 volunteered to remain on the Island to help teach etc. The people all seem happy and contented with their lot, poor as it is. Meat, except chicken, which is not much cared for, is unknown. All the bullocks were unwisely killed years ago. Sheep will not thrive at all. The Island is over-run with chickens which have become almost wild. There is no liquor in the island, and smoking is unknown. Tea, Coffee, etc, also they never have, using water only. A new Governing body of seven is elected on 1st of January of each year, women and men all voting alike. The seven selected nominate one of their own number to be chairman. The organ taken to the Island in 2. The question whether the constant inter-marrying that has taken place in 107 years is physically degenerating the younger members, is a very interesting one. However, one The Secretary of the Admiralty, London, S.W.10
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curious trait is very noticeable in them viz: – the loss of the front teeth. To be correct, the teeth are not lost, but broken off. Some attribute this defect to the food eaten by the inhabitants, such as bananas, yams, &c. but this is not noticed amongst the negro races in various parts of the world or even in the Tahitian natives close at hand who live on the same sort of food. Again, an American Missionary and his wife who have been on the Island since June 1896, superintending the School, both assured me that the want of intellect among the young was simply appalling, and they had no hesitation in putting it down to this inter-marrying_ In fact they had given up all hope of improvement, and intended leaving by the first opportunity. 3. The men are strong and active, the women the same, and both well developed. Yet one could not help noticing a want of something, although they are certainly, especially the men, very keen in making a good bargain for the Island. 4. Their great wants are clothes of every sort, few, if any, having boots or stockings. Also nails, iron, hammers, paint etc. to repair the boats on which the whole intercourse they have with the outer world depends, — it being impossible to land in one's own boats. The Island goods are exchanged with passing Ships, but the "Comus" was the first Man-of-War that had visited Pitcairn since January 1896, so their clothes had run to a very low ebb. Sailing Ships as a rule can spare very little and months often pass without a ship calling at the Island. As to literature, they have little or none, in fact they refused what was offered them. They do absolutely nothing all day. As regards clothes, their stock had run so low that I gave them 105 yards of flannel, for the use of the women, as a present from Her Majesty's Government, which I feel sure will be approved of. I enclose a list of the various articles 11
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articles with which I supplied them_ Gardening tools are also required_ The Missionary Schooner that used to visit the Island has been sold, so that they are worse off than ever now. 5. I was told that the morals of the community are not what they should be, and that lately several illegitimate children had been born. 6. In conclusion, I have no hesitation in saying that soon the question will have to be faced — are they to continue as they are? viz: – marrying among themselves and increasing. The slender resources they have will not stand a much greater population, and among the young men, a desire is evinced to leave the Island.
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LIST OF ARTICLES SUPPLIED.
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Notes.
Captain Henry Hart Dyke (1848-1912) commanded H.M.S. Comus 1895-1898. He was later promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral.
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Source.
Document no. 96. November 23 1897. "'Report on Pitcairn Island', Captain Dyke (H.M.S Comus)". Pages 1610 to 1613.
This transcription was made from a documents in a collection of documents at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa Library.
Last updated by Tom Tyler, Denver, CO, USA, Aug 12 2022.
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