New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-29
GOING TO TRISTAN D'4CCNHA.
THE PENGUIN TO CALL THERE WITH NEWS
AND SUPPLIES RAT POISON NEEDED.
From The London Leader.


From The London Leader.
For the first time in two years the little Eng
hsh colony on the island of Tristan D Acunha IS
to receive news of the outside world
The Penguin, ship belonging 10 Dawson &
Co. of Nos. and 10 Pancras Lane f. c.. is to
take out trading expedition to the neighbOr-
ing islands about the middle OF April and will
make call at Tristan with mails, parcels and
such articles of luxury as charitable people feel
inclined to send.
The island used to be regularly visited by Her
Majesty'S ships of But its pOStiOn-be-
tween Africa and South America, forty-five days
steam from England-made the Journey very
expensive one, especially now steam alone IS
used on our cruisers.
Sailing vessels, too made it a place OF
call; but the increase of steamships has robbed
the island of this means of communication So
it comes about that only by chance CONNER
cial venture shall be able TO obtain tidings Of
the little community.
Small as the population is, II has been steadily
growing. In 1871 when the British garrison
withdrawn, Corporal Glass, his wife and
family, and two other men the only in
ha btants left behind. In 1876 there were seven
and two women. Recruited from various
shipwrecks, these had Increased in 1873 TO
eighty-four, but dwindled TO sixty-four in 1896.
of whom the females considerably exceeded the
males
In chat with Captain Dawson who is organ
izing the expedition and knows the Tristan
group of islands well, Leader representative
learned some very curious facts.
One of the things most needed by the in
habitants IS rat poison. The ordinary English
rodent accIimatiZed there early the cen
fury probably by following his usual practice
of deserving sinking ship. Since then the tribe
has thriVen to such an extent that the cats also
English), instead Of keeping down the rats exist
only on suferance from the vermin.
Among the cargo of the Penguin will be four
or five male puSSies. and it is hoped that the
feline species may be improved.
There are plenty of cattle the island, and
in the mild climate grapes, apples and plums are
grown. But the inhabitants have no means OF
| making woven clothing, and among their great
est needs are looms and sewing machines
Everything is shared out proportionately
among the different families, II whom there are
sixteen. and the people do not care to take any
thing that cannot be so divided
Other things of which they stand in need are
flour, chocolate, tea, biscuit. sugar. flannel and
! serge, gunpoWder nails, strong furniture and
grindstones.
The Penguin Will bring if old Peter
| Green, the su-called Governor of the island is
still alive. Most Of the inhabitants are de-
scended from connected with him I'm 1896
Her Majesty sent him her portrait. with which
the patriarch was delighted he would now be
| ninety three years old.
The physical health of the Islanders is robust
During lSoG there sickness. Tut their
frightened at our appearance i'm the boats"
they complained to The captan of the Widgeon
In lN91, and We would be glad of "a minister II
religion who can act as doctor and srhoolmaster
| as Well"
As II happens clergyman is going out upon
the Penguin for a holiday