Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-11-18
From Chambers journal.
TWO GERMAN CRUSOES.

TWO GERMAN CRUSOES.
In the Atlantic, about midway be-
tween the coast of South America and
the Cape of Good Hope, in SO degrees
8 south latitude, lies the island of Iris
tan da Cunha, with two lesser islands in
its neighborhood. The Challenger, q.
NJ. ship, commanded by Captain Mares,
now on q scientific expedition, reached
Tristan da Cunha late at night, on the
18th of October, 1879. Next morning
landing was effected, and the
island, whic is nineteen or twenty miles
IN circumference, was found to have
settlement of eighty souls in all. The
history of this little colony is curious.
In 1916 company Of British artillery
was stationed on the island, with view
to keep watch on Napoleon Bonaparte,
then III captivity at St. Helena. It
seems almost ridiculous to have taken
this precaution, for St. Helena is about
thirteen hundred miles distant, and one
would think the guard could have been
of no avail. Perhaps it was thought
nat in the various mad schemes to res
cue Napoleon, Tristan da Cunha might
have been made a base of operations.
When the illustrious captive died in
1921, the British soldiers were with
drawn, leaving only Corporal of the
panions, to take charge of the small fort
that had been erected.
From his name, we should suppose
that Glass was a Scotchman. At all
events, he cleverly adapted himself to
his position. The land being fertile, he
set to work cultivating potatoes, cab
bages, and other vegetables, bred goats
and pigs, and made business of sell
ing these vegetables and animal pro-
ducts. to captains OF ships who, in pass
ing, stood in need Of fresh provisions.
Known as Governor Glass, he became
man of note in the South Atlantic
The settlement over which he bore sway
tlrove apace. In 1929 it amounted to
twenty-seven persons seven men, six
women, and fourteen children. They
had three hundred acres of land in til
lage, and extensive pastures, with sew
enty head OF cattle, a hundred sheep,
ana Innumerable goats, pigs and poultry
soa thriving concern, though a little
Hilary. In due course, Governor
u,
and still continues, presenting one OF
the maNy examples Of the success at
tending English colonization, ON how
ever small and unassisted a scale.
Since the decease Of Glass there has
been no recognized chief. The oldest
man at present, Peter Green, is at the
head of affairs. When ships touch at
the island, Peter acts as spokesman and
salesman. There are now more stock
in trade to work upon than in earlier
times, for the cattle have increased to
six hundred, and there is an equal num-
Der Of sheep. AS ships can generally
exchange quantities of teas, sugar,
flour, and other articles, for produce Of
the island, pretty brisk trade in the
way of barter is carried on. The island
ers also have some commercial negotia-
tons with the Cape of Good Hope,
where they find a market for their wool.
It was at this thriving little settle.
ment, as had been said, that the Chal-
lenger arrived in the course of it's cruise.
The account of what was seen and
learned Oh the occasion, has~been given
by Captain Davis in the Geographical
Magazine august, 1879, and is so in
teresting, as regards the rescue of two
Germans, named Stoltenhoff, from one
of the islands of the group, that we feel
pleasure in condensing it for the benefit
of our readers.
In 1870, the younger of the two Ger
mans, tailor, had been wrecked, and
with some companions was treated hos
pitably at Tristan da Cunah. Taken
Off by ship, he was brought to Europe;
but finding his family ruined by the
war, he determined to return, bringing
his elderly brother with him. The two
brothers accordingly carried out their
resolution of trying to reach and settle
III the small English colony.
AT St. Helena" proceeds the nara
tive, they expended their little stock
OF money on an outfit suited to their
life, ana among other necessaries be-
came the owners of an old whale-boat,
the best they could get for the money at
then disposal, and In November, 1871,
embarked with all their treasures for
Tristan de Cunha, in the American
whalers FaVa, Captain Mander. On the
passage, the captain, for some unex-
plaInable reason, worked SO strongly on
the minds of his passengers as 10 per
suade them to land ON inaccessible Is
land, instead of the one they were
eund to. Captain Mander described