Pitcairn
Island
was discovered by the son of Major Pitcairn seaman on
board H.M.S. Swallow.
Pitcairn is a small volcanic Island situated
2,170 km east-south-east of Tahiti and 5,310 km east-north-east of
Auckland New Zealand.
It is a rugged island of formidable cliffs giving
no easy access to the sea even at Bounty Bay, the only landing-place,
access to the sea is difficult.
Temperatures range from 19 to 24 Degrees Celcius and the
average annual rainfall is 2000mm (80 inches).
Early Pitcairn history is not known but archeoligical remains
suggest it was inhabited by Polynesians about six hundred years ago.
Settling on Pitcairn in 1790 the Bounty was scuttled and burnt
to sea level so as not to be seen by passing ships.
Paradise this
Island could have been, but for the Mutineers and Tahitians this was
marked by jealousies and violence bringing blood shed to the Island.
By 1800 the only male survivor was John Adams, who led the
community by introducing education and religion until his death in
1829.
It was not until the Topaz under the command of Capt. Mayhew
Folger visited Pitcairn Island in 1808 that the story of the Pitcairn
settlement became known.
Folger, on his return to the U.S.
informed the British, but they being occupied with concerns in Europe
did nothing until 1814 when H.M.S. Briton and H.M.S. Tagus called at
the Island.
The population had reached 40 and by 1831 had increased to 86
of whom 79 were born on the island.
Concerns that the community was out growing the small Island
led to the evacuation to Tahiti in 1831 but within six months the
Islanders had returned to Pitcairn.
In 1856 the population had reached 193 and the islanders again
abandoned Pitcairn to commence a new life on Norfolk Island which the
British Government had made available to them.
However, 43 Pitcairners found their way back to Pitcairn
Island and since then the island has been permanently occupied with the
population peaking at 233 in 1937.
In recent years there has been a steady emigration to New
Zealand and on 31st December 1992 the resident population was 54.
Pitcairn is a British settlement under the responsibility of
the British High Commissioner in New Zealand.
A paradise Pitcairn could have been, for the Mutineers this
was not to be. Fletcher Christain, John Williams, Isaac Martin, John
Mills and William Brown were murdered by the Tahitians. Mathew Quintal
was killed by Young and Adams in self defence. William McCoy became
insane and jumped over a cliff Edward Young died of asthma.
John Adams
was the sole survivor and died in 1829.The Pitcairn Community became
too large for the small island to cater for and in 1856 many
descendants moved to Norfolk Island
