Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-04
TRISTAN DACUNHA,

TRISTAN DACUNHA,
Pecuiiarities of the People of that Re
marIxsble IsIandin the south Atlantic.
From the PtjladelDbja Record.
''Did you ever hear OF the island OF
Tristan d'Acunha, in the South Allan
ticw asked Captain Fulton, OF the bark
Eudora, which is now diseharging a cargo
of sugar at one OF the Delaware whaves, OF
visitor to the bark yesterday. "You
haven't, SUPPOSE he continued. "nor
have many other people except tnose VINO
follow the sea, and yet it is a very inter-
esting little island. Let me tell you about
our stop there on this last trip. Wewere on
our way TO this port from Iloilo. Phillip
pine Islands, aad began TO run short on
potatoes r when not far from Tristan
dAcnnhss There was nothing very sur
prislng about that, OF course but how do
you suppose we got u new supply!. Why,
when we got in sight Of the Island we
just hoisted up a little signal, part of a
regular code, meaning that we wanted
potatoes, and when we dropped anchor
OF shore the islanders had ton ready for
us. ~
"It9A the people of the island, however,
| who are especially Interesting. They are
~
| Corporal CLASS, who was one of the guard
over Napoleon at st. Helena, and OF two
women from the Cape Of Good Hope, who
settled there early in the century. From
| these three have sprung III persons, now
| living, who make a very peculiar eommu-
nifty. They cultivate the Island, which is
very fertile, and sell provisions 10 passing
| ships in return for many articles Of food
and OF comfort which they cannot get 9th
Vrra4 OF.
is at particularly high premium, and
the most of thes women wear mems gar
ments. they look ftinny enough, dressed
in their htlsftatbds', fathers or brothers.
trOueeFs and Jackets, and apparently en-
JOY the novelty of their clothing inn
kmenselY,
But to return 10 our trip. when we
reached the island three bOatlOads OF men
put off, under the direction of son OF
the Governor, and boarded the Eudora.
They remained on board nearly seven
hours, and told us that in few minutes
| alter seelne our signal for potatoes the
entire population were busy at work Dig
ging them ttpior US. They had also killed
some catsiea and chickens, which they
brought for sale, and had some albatross'
breasts and skins which they offered In
barter. Tue men appeared much pleased
to see us, Ito ship having visited them be-
fore In some TIME, and made them selves
at home on the bark. A little rum and
tobacco. they said, would be particularly
acceptable, as they are deprived Of those
articles.
"There are at present fifteen families on
the island, and an equal distribution was
made among them of the clothing and
other articles they got from u.s. NOtwith-
standing the awkward aud ill-fitting mems
garments in which they we're dressed the
women were strikingly handsome. with
tall and well-rounded figures, and Of the
dark complexion common to the residents
Of the Cape of Good Hope. They largely
Outnumber the men, and are inclined to
be independent and to assert their rights.
Thirteen OF these lovely creatures, all of
manageable age, are the daughters OF
the present Governor, who IS a son OF the
common ancestor, and who holds his Office
by virtue OF being the oldest man on the
island.
"Tristan d'Acunha is at present suffer-
ing greatly from immense numbers Of
rats, which were brought there several
years ago in some bales OF bay. They
even invade the homes Of the islanders,
and have become so great pest as 10 Sc
rOusly threaten the future existence OF
the little settlement. Tristan d'Acunha
includes Inaccessible aud nightingale
Islands. both OF which are uninhabited.
This isolated community is about /, 800
miles south OF 81. Helena and nearly mid
way between Cape Horn and the Cane Of
Good Hope. For years at time the peo-
pie never see ship, and the coming
/ OF one is always considered as great
event. The summit OF the island is a
cODe-shaped peak more than 5000 feet
nigh, and this great elevation makes IL a
mark for mariners 10 rate their chrOn0me-
ters and % make departures. The signal
code which VIC used in making known our
desire for potatoes has been lately
adopted, and has proved great convent
ence. h Philadelphia ship, the Industry,
commanded by Capt. Patton, visited the
island in 1900 and left some men there,
but these we're afterward driven away by
the English.
did any Of the women want 10 come
away with us and see q country where
there are more men and clOthesf Well,
] can't say they did. They are rather shy
Oh strangers, and / didn't see that any OF
my men made a mash But IL man
can't get wife anywhere else, am sure
be can get one there n he Will 20 and SET
Tie down. ! teal you they are summers
the women OF Tristan d'Acunha.D