not make out to what nation she belonged. A second appeared some time in 1801, but did not attempt to communicate with them. A third came sufficiently near to see their habitations, but did not venture to send a boat on shore; which is the less surprising, considering the uniform ruggedness of the coast, the total want of shelter, and the almost constant and violent breaking of the sea against the stupendous rocks around it[1].
The only vessel that ever communicated with the descendants of the Bounty’s mutineers, (previous to the Briton and Tagus) was the Topaze, an American trader, commanded by Mr. Mayhew Folger, who touched at the island in Feb. 1808, and whose report of its situation very nearly corresponds with that made by Sir Thomas Staines, viz. lat. 25° 4' S. (by meridian observation); and long. 130° 25' W. (by the chronometers of the two frigates) . We shall now proceed to give an account of the interesting little colony which Sir Thomas so unexpectedly fell in with.
On the 17th Sept. 1814, at 2 A.M., Lieutenant Charles Belfield Louis having reported land on the lee-bow, he went immediately on deck and distinctly made it out to be a small island; the Tagus was then hailed, and both ships hove too until day-light, when they filled and stood towards it. On approaching the island. Sir Thomas Staines first observed the upper part to be cultivated; then discovered a hut near the summit: afterwards several others forming a square, about half-way from the sea upwards; and at length saw several men descending with canoes on their shoulders.
At 8 A.M., the frigates being then within a mile of the shore, four canoes, containing six persons, paddled alongside the Briton; and to the great astonishment of Sir Thomas Staines, who was about to ask them some questions in the language of the Marquesans, he found that they all spoke very good English.
- ↑ Although Pitcairn’s island is at all times difficult of access, it may be approached with safety, as there is no bottom to be got with 120 fathoms of line, within a mile of the shore.
