Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-02-25
REMOVAL OF THE INHABITANTS
OF PITCAIRNS ISLAND.


REMOVAL OF THE INHABITANTS
OF PITCAIRNS ISLAND.
We learn by late English papers
that the descendants of the mutineers of
the English ship Bounty. whose roman
tic history has excited a world wide in
terest have been removed from Pitcairn's
Island, in consequence of the colony hav-
lngtoutgrown the means of sustenance
which the Island afforded. They were
transferred to Norfolk Island, together
with all their goods and chattels.
There are only eight of the first gen.
Grafton of settlers left-two men and six
women. Tho Oldest man is about sixty
one, or sixty two, and the Oldest woman
between seventy and eighty. Charles
Christian is the grandson OF the ringlead-
or oftbe mutineers. The number of per
sons removed was 1879 81 males and iOe
females, one child having been born on
the voyge, and named Dennison, ter
the Governor General ofNew South Wales.
Pi,calrn's S Island is situated in lat. 9j 4
s., long. 13O 95 W, aud is only about
four and a half miles in circumference,
one mile and half being its greatest
length, moi more than one square mile
being available for cultivation; yet it has
been the isolated home of happy and
thriving settlement of nearly e0U souls.
Owing TO the frugal and temperate hab
its of the people and the health of the eli
mate the population has outgrown the
circumscribed limits.
Their new home-Norfolk Islands
situated in la. 99,S and Ion. 1853 10 E.,
being distant from Sidney about twelve
hundred miles. 1t is six miles in length
and four n breadth. and contains about
$4,000 acres. Ii is well watered and
there IS high hill in the centre called
Mt. Pitt. For many years it was the pc
nal settlement for the vilest and most in
Narrigible transported criminals sent from
England to Van Dieman's Land. But
since the abolition of transportation TO
Tasmania, the convicts have been with
drawn from the Island. The locality to
which these settlers have thus volunta-
rily transferred themselves is infinitely
preferable TO their former circumscribed
home, both in diminsion, scenery and
capabilities. 1t has been described as a
title earthly paradise, and is capable Of
producing everything that can promote
the well being of a community. There
1000 OF 5000 acres of fine land are now
in cultivation, and as much more might
be rendered fruitful. The island is very
healthy. no epidemics are known there.
The soil produces both tropical and Eu
ropean fruit, vegetables and grain, be-
sides spices. the sugar cane, cinnamon,
coffee, the pepper vine, tobacco, &c.
There were left at Norfolk Island for
the use Its new occupants, g. 600 sheep,
$50 head of cattle, and 20 horses, and
provisions for twelve months. with eve
rything requisite for the cultivation ofthe
soil. The buildings on the island are of
the most substantial character, and more
than sufficient for the use of the Pitcairn
settler, who in their former home, dwelt
in rude palm-thatched houses. The fine
scenery, superior accommodations
enlarged Territory and increased field of
operations for their industry together
with the ample provision made for their
substance, must render their new homes
a very attractive spot for these people
of simple habits.
The History of this interesting colony. |
although known to a large portion of the
reading community, may not be familiar
to all. The ship Bounty, commanded
by Capt. Bligh, was dispatched by the
British Government to Tahiti, 10 convey
young bread fruit trees to the West In
dies. While on the voyage the crew
nutinied, murdered Tie captain. set adrifI
a part of their number, and took the yes
sci to Pitcairns Island, where they ar
rived in 1889, with nine Tahitian men
and thirteen women. There were ten of
he mutineers, and their fate was for a
ong time unknown. From them sprang
he present thriving colony.