Revised Jun 22 2021
To return to the subject of the removal to Norfolk Island.
Captain H. M. Denham, of H.M.S. Herald, in his " Hydrographic Notice of Islands and Reefs in the South-Western Pacific Ocean," written on Norfolk Island, 12th June, 1855, makes some interesting remarks on the place appointed as the future abode of the Pitcairn Islanders.
"The passage from Sydney to Norfolk Island occupied eight days. Light baffling winds kept us four days within fifty miles of it. Our track all the way from Port Jackson was rendered as fruitful as possible, in regard to noting the current demarcation signs of the trade and variables on this route at this season of the year, together with such birds and fishes as present themselves. And by frequent casts of the lead to 200 fathoms, with a vigilant mast-head look-out, we satisfied ourselves that the way is clear of islands, or even growing-up dangers, over an ample radius upon every mile of the ship's track which our track-charts will display; the extent of night vision being distinguished from that day.
"It had been published in the Sydney papers, as resulting from a cruise of the Torch, that the longitude of Norfolk Island was in error in some charts 68′; and on my consulting the published books and charts during my passage thither, I found discrepancies which made me unusually anxious to clear up the point. Otherwise it was my intention to have passed well southward of the island to avoid the skirt of the south-easters, and so direct for the Rosaretta reef, and then take the start for Fiji; experience having taught me that this detour from Sydney to the Friendly Islands makes the best passage.
"Having effected a landing on Norfolk Island on the 6th instant, a precarious process, but in our case without accident to any person or the instruments, a very satisfactory set of observations, including circum-meridians for latitude, were obtained.
"I am enabled to inform you, that the geographic position of Norfolk Island may be recorded as having its landing rock on the settlement on the south-west side in
| ° | ′ | ″ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latitude | 29 | 3 | 45 | S. |
| Longitude | 167 | 58 | 6 | E. |
| Magnetic variation in June (1855) . | 12 | 34 | 0 | E. |
while Mount Pitt, the highest point of the island towards its north-west end, as deduced trigonometrically, is in
| ° | ′ | ″ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latitude | 29 | 0 | 56 | S. |
| Longitude ......... | 167 | 57 | 0 | E. |
elevated above the sea, 1,039 feet, and visible 36 miles.
"The very boisterous weather in this region at this its winter season, occasioning the shifting of the ship from one side of the island to the other for shelter, has obstructed the surveying operations I designed; nevertheless, by the assiduity of Lieutenant Hutchinson and Mr. Smith, as well as Messrs. Howard and Wilds, I shall be enabled to improve Bradley's chart, in regard to anchorage soundings, the edge of soundings, and its direction of meridian.
"I may remark, that I found Norfolk Island no longer a penal settlement. The convict establishment was withdrawn on the 7th of May; and it is at present occupied by an assistant commissary storekeeper, with a few hands engaged in rendering into tallow the surplus sheep intended for the Pitcairn Islanders, who are daily expected to occupy the island; and whose hearts and minds, simple though they be, will not fail to adore the Queen and country which put them in possession, with fostering solicitude, of the most lovely island conceivable, with all the facilities for industry and comfort; comprising fifteen square miles of land capable of tillage, 800 acres cleared and fenced, beautiful roads intersecting it, eighty-one substantial buildings, including chapel, schoolroom, hospital, barracks, dwelling-houses, cottages, mills, and workshops, together with household furniture, artisans' tools, and agricultural implements, the gardens stocked with seed, and the farms with 2,000 sheep, 300 cattle, horses, pigs, and poultry. A bounteous bestowal indeed!"
Captain Denham sent home, among other things connected with his survey, Surgeon Rayner's "Natural History of Norfolk Island," and a list of trees and vegetables at Norfolk Island, by Mr. Milne, the gardener. The former was forwarded to Sir Roderick I. Murchison, Bart.; the latter to Sir William J. Hooker, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.