Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-05-26
Lonely Tristan D'Acunha.

money was useless? Well, there Is
such a place. 1t is the Island of
Tristan d'Acunha, in the South At
lantic, about 800 miles off the Cape of
Good Hope. But you mustn't jump
to the conclusion that money has no
value there because the island is un-
inhabited. 1t has poulation of sixty
four, and is the tiniest of Great Brit
aims many small colonies.
Once year the British govern
ment sends off ship to the island.
Just why this should be done is not
quite clear. a yearly mail service
is quite unnecessary, for although the
sixty-four inhabitants are British sub
jects they never receive any mail.
They lead a solitary existence, know
ing nothing of the great word be-
yond their shores, and caring less.
The last visit to the island, which
is entirely out of the track of vessels,
was made last November by her Maj
esty's ship Widgeon, under command
of Lieut.. A. F. Gurney. The special
object of the visit was to convey to
the islanders whaling boat, which
was supplied by the admiralty.
Upon his return Lieutenant Gurney
made the following report to the col
onial Office
The total population is now Ga,
composed of Is adult males, l9 wo-
men, Is boys and - girls. The is
land is capable of afording pasturage
for some 500 head of cattle, and, as
there are now between 500 and 900
cattle on the island, as well as 500
sheep, the inhabitants are anxious
to dispose of their surplus stock.
at is suggested that ship might
be chartered to take the cattle away,
and her cargo could be advantageous
ly supplemented by loading guano
from the neighboring islets. The
labor for such purpose would, It IS
stated, be readily found by the inhab-
itants of Tristan d'Acunha.
"The wants of the islanders are few,
but there appears to be a dearth of
vegetable seeds, and supply, espec-
tally of cabbage, broccoli, onions and
calihower seeds would be very ac-
ceptable.
Some time ago for some reason or
other the King Of Italy sent dona-
ton of 5000 for distribution among
the inhabitants. A gentleman named
Cane, who had visited the island,
commenting on this fact, wrote let
ter to the London Graphic, which
throws an additional light upon these
strange islanders. He said in part:
at may not be generally known,
but it is none the less a fact, that
money is of no value to these people.
When l was there, in 1884, | offered
money in exchange for their curlosi-
ties, but it was politely but firmly de-
clined. They had no use for it, they
said. On the other hand, articles of
clothing such as woollen undervests
and socks, suited to the rigor Of the
climate, were received with the ut
most appreciation.
"At the time of which speak they
found difficulty in obtaining tobac-
CO, and this, l gathered, was the chief
hardship of their lives. The island
ers, | may say, are in no want Of
books Few of them can read, and
those who can have literature enough
for all their requirements. 1t is to
be hoped that any donations gener-
ously made to succor these hardy peo-
pie will be applied in manner which
keeps in view their real necessities"
The Island of Tristan d'Acunha,
which has been described as the lone
liest British possession on the face Of
the globe, well bears out its reputa-
ton. 1t is a mountainous place, the
highest peak rising to an altitude OF
1926 feet above the sea level. The
"head man of the island, known as
the governor, is picturesque old fel-
low named Peter William Green. he
was shipwrecked over sixty years ago,
and when his shipmates were finally
taken off, the kindness which he had
experienced at the hands Of the island
ers led him to remain behind and cast
his lot with them.
He was afterward married to one Of
the women of the island. So great be-
came his popularity that upon the
death of the then governor, William
Glass, in 1853, the islanders unani-
mously elected Peter to fill his place,
and this Office he has occupied ever
since. He is known to be over eighty