The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-21
STEERING FOR D'ACUNHA.
News and Supplies to Re Taken to q
Lonely Island.

lFTDm tnc London Ltiutf-J
For the first time in two years the little
English colony on the island of Tristan
D'Aounha is TO receive news of the out
side world.
The Penguin, a ship belonging to Daw
son & Co, of Nos. and 10 Pancras Laae.
F.. C.. is 10 take out a trading expedition
to the neighboring islands about the mid
die of April, and will make cali at
Tristan with mails, parcels. and such ar
ticles of luxury as charitable people feel
inclined to send. The island used to be
regularly visited by Her Majesty's ships
of war. But its position-between Africa
and South America. forty-five days steam
from England-made the journey a very
expensive one. especially now steam alone
is used on our cruisers. Sailing vessels,
too. once 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 COM
mercial venture shall we be able to obtain
tidings OF the little community. Small as
the population is, it has been steadily
growing. In 1917. when the British gar
rison was withdrawn. Corporal Glass, his
wife. and family. and two other men. were
the only inhabitants left behind. In 1896
there were seven men and two women.
Recruited from various shipwrecks, these
l'du luCItdStu III 1910 IL eighty DuI
dwindled to sixty-four in 1896. of whom
the females considerably exceeded the
males.
In a chat with Captain Dawson, who is
organizing 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
inhabitants is rat poison. The ordinary
English rodent was acclimatiZed there
early in the century. probably by follow
ing his usual practice of deserving sink
ing ship. Since then the tribe has thriven
to such an extent that the cats (also Eng
Iish. instead of keeping down the rats.
exist only on sufferance from the vermin.
Among the cargo Of the Penguin will be
four or five male pussies. and 1t is hoped
that the feline species may be improved.
There are plenty of cattle on 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 greatest needs are looms
and sewing machines.
Everything Is shared out prOpOrtionately
among the different families. of whom.
there are sixteen. and the people do not
care to take anything that cannot be so
divided. Other things Of which they stand
in need are -four chocolate, tea. biscuit.
sugar. flannel and serge, gunpowder, nails,
strong furniture. and grindstones.
The Penguin will bring news If old Peter
Green. the so-called Governor of the ISL
and. Is still alive. Most of the inhab-
itants are descended from or connected
with him. In 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 1896 there was no sick
ness: but their mental abilities are sadly
waning. "Ships are frightened at our APP
pearance In the boats they complained
10 the captain Of the Widgeon In 1895.
and we would be glad Of minister of
religion who can act as doctor and school
master as WE'LL 2H
AS 1t happens a clergyman is going out
lpon the Penguin for a holiday.