Page 24. MAINE COASTAL NEWS November 2008
Maritime History:
Visit to Pitcairn Island
The following is an early visit to Pitcairn receive us, when finding we were not pm it increased to a hard gale from north- their country and friends, was such as to
Island in the South Pacific, which was written disposed to land, ten young men leaped into northwest furled the topsails and courses, induce the latter to attempt to destroy the
up in the Salem Gazette 16 January 1821. For the surf and swam off to the boat. When they and hove to – saw the isle bearing west ½ whites altogether. They secretly obtained
those that do not remember this is the island had arrived within hail, I saluted them with. south 4 leagues distant. The conduct of the possession of all the muskets n the island,
where the mutineers of the HMS BOUNTY How do you do, fiends? to which they naives while on board was such as excited and embracing the opportunity when the
went to live out the rest of their lives. immediately answered, to my great surprise. the admiration of every person on board the white men were at work in the fields, they
PITCAIRN ISLAND. Very well, I thank you, how do you do? then ship, and I believe, I may with safety declare sallied out and killed five of them; the others
The ship SULTAN, Captain Reynolds, approached, and taking hold of the boat’s that, for good morals, politenss of behaviour, took the alarm, and three made their escape
of Boston, which returned from Canton in gunwale, said, I will come into your boat, if an open undisguised manner of conveying to the bushes, where the concealed
September, 1819, during her voyage touched you please; to which I readily consented, their sentiment on all occasions, with a strict themselves; the other, Mr. Adams, who now
at Pitcairn Island. Mr. Topliff, aware of the nor would one make an attempt until they adherence to truth, and the principles of lives, received a musket ball through the
public curiosity in regard to this island, on had obtained my permission. They then religion, there are not their equals to be neck; and a blow with the breech of the
account of the extraordinary manner in which asked what ship that was, where we were found on earth; and for all this, they are musket, was aimed at his head, but in raising
it became peopled, procured from the private going, and likewise our business in calling entirely indebted to one white man, an his hand to defend himself, he received it
journal of Mr. Newell, the first officer of that upon them; when, on being informed that Englishman, who, to use their own words, as across the fingers, which saved his life, for
ship, a circumstantial account of their our only motive was to get some refreshment they would frequently acknowledge, had at that moment a native arrived who had
observations during their stay there, which for the ship’s crew, they assured us that they taught them all good things, and to shun always been his friend, and begged his life
he published in the New England Galaxy of would supply us with every thing their island every thing that was naughty. might be spared, if the wounds should not
the 12
th
inst. And from which we make the afforded, which was hogs, goats, tarro, Mr. John Adams (for that is the name of prove mortal, which, after some debate, was
following extracts. It is known to our readers, cocoanuts, bananas, &c. It now began to the person who has devoted the greater part complied with. After they had subdued the
that the settlers on Pitcairn Island were part grow late, I intimated that I must return on of his time to the education of these young whites, they (the Otaheiteans) began to
of the mutineers of the English ship board the ship, and if four of heir number people) is the only survivor of the mutineers quarrel for superiority among themselves,
BOUNTY in 1789, and were first discovered wished to on board, I should be glad to take of the English ship BOUNTY, who, after and had recourse again to their muskets, and
in their place of refuge by Captain Folger, of them. They all expressed a desire to go, but setting Captain Bligh, with twenty others, the result was, that every one was killed, or
Boston, in 1808, nineteen years afterwards; as I had limited the number, they immediately into the launch at sea, returned to Otaheite, afterwards died of his wounds. After this the
and again by the British frigates BRITON proposed to cast lots for a decision, in which where disagreeing among themselves, nine three whites returned from concealment, but
and TAGUS (knowing nothing of Captain they all cheerfully acquiesced; those who of them, after taking each a wife, two other did not live long to enjoy the happy land;
Folger’s discovery) in 1814; and thirdly there were to go on shore, said, well since we females and six males, natives of Otaheite (in one ran mad and died; and the other two
were visited by the SULTAN, above cannot go on board the ship tonight, we will all, 26 persons,) and securing them under the sickened and died a few years after;
mentioned, in 1817. go on shore and get your hogs and cocoanuts hatches, cut the cables and put to sea, fleeing consequently Mr. Adams was the only man
October 17
th
, 1817 – At 2 pm made ready, and perhaps we may tomorrow; then for this island. Here they arrived in a few left on the island, to be the father and
Pitcairn’s Island, bearing east by north 7 jumped overboard, and swam to the shore. days, and after having taken every thing on protector of the children descended from his
leagues distance. At 5 pm hove to off the At 6 pm I returned on board the ship with the shore that would be serviceable to them, fellow shipmates; and from what I have seen,
north side the isle, where we discovered a four natives, who agreed to remain during they set fire to the ship and burnt her to the I believe he has done his duty towards them.
small village among a grove of cocoanut the night. We stood off to the northeast water’s edge, 1789. Some of her guns and Mr. Adams, at this time, reflecting on the
trees. I went in with the boat, but could not under short sail for the night, in hopes of anchors may be seen in 2½ fathoms of water vices and follies of his past life, determined
land on account of the surf, which beat with getting a supply of hogs ad vegetables in the along side the rocks. on a sincere repentance; and his conduct
considerable violence on the shore. As soon morning, but the weather came on thick, and Here they had remained but a few years, since then shows clearly that he has lived up
as the boat was discovered by the people on the breeze freshened at midnight, reduced when their tyrannical behaviour towards the
Continued on Page 26.
shore, they all hastened to the beach to us to close reefed topsails, and from 7 to 10 Otaheiteans whom they had stolen from
New Products
NEW ELEGANT RADAR NEW LED
ICE MAKER VERTICAL WINDLASS REFLECTOR NAVIGATION LAMPS
Studies have proven that saltwater/
When it’s time for anchors aweigh, it’s The best boatbuilders install only the
brine ice preserves fish better and twice as
ideal to depend on a windlass of unsurpassed
Dense fog and other dangerous weather highest quality navigation lamps. Since
long as freshwater ice. C-BEA Stainless
quality and durability. Preferred for automatic
conditions can make a small craft invisible to their introduction several months ago, the
Products brings fishermen into the 21st
all-chain anchoring chores, Maxwell
larger vessels. The ability to show up on new Hella marine NaviLED LED navigation
century with its revolutionary,
America’s VWC series Vertical Windlass
radar can spell the difference between being lamps have become the choice for dozens
commercial-grade IceSea IC2000CW Ice
and Chainpipe is known for its flawless
seen or sunk. Ensuring boats are more of leading boat manufacturers. The
Maker. Able to produce 2,000 lbs. of
operation and elegant appearance.
noticeable, the Echomaster from Davis convenient port and starboard twin pack
saltwater ice in 24 hours at an ambient
Taking up less space on deck and easier
Instruments reflects radar directly back to has also proven popular with marine
temperature of 78°F, the innovative ice
to maintain than horizontal versions, the
the oncoming ship’s antenna. The versatile retailers.
maker helps keep fish as fresh as if they
VWC windlass is available with a capstan for
Echomaster can also be used to easily identify Compact, dependable and
were caught that morning.
independent rope-handling. Offering fully
a dock or mooring and navigation hazards, aesthetically pleasing, the lamps offer all
Unlike traditional ice makers, IceSea
automatic single- or dual-direction
including bridges, rocks, submerged trees the energy-saving and reliability benefits
IC2000CW has no harvest time delays. Its
chainwheel operation, the above-deck
and sunken boats. of Hella marine’s advanced LED
unique crushed ice is produced at -20°F or
components are finished with heavy chrome
The Echomaster features 12.5" diameter technology. To ensure safety, the lights
cooler and packs tighter, melts slower and
over marine-grade bronze.
circular reflector plates. Based on the are built and certified to 2NM yacht
lasts longer than ice cubes. That means
The integral chain pipe and stripper are
optimum orientation between the reflector navigation lamp standards. Therefore,
more space onboard for fish.
perfectly aligned for virtually jam-free chain
and radar, it provides 13.2 square yards of they have a minimum visibility of 2 nautical
C-BEA Stainless Products
feed into and out of the anchor locker. The
maximum cross section in the X or 3 cm band. miles, even when yachts are heeling.
manufactures the only icemakers on the
cone-type brake/clutch mechanism permits
This is equivalent to the radar cross section With no filaments to break and a
market that can switch from a continuous
manual “free-fall” anchoring for smooth
of triangular plate reflectors with an heavy-duty construction, Hella marine LED
supply of crushed saltwater ice to
progressive engagement, ensuring safe and
approximate 17" diagonal dimension. products are highly shock and vibration
freshwater and back. With just a flip of a
precise operator control.
The sturdy .05" marine-grade aluminum resistant to stand up to extreme conditions.
valve after saltwater use, the entire system
With a maximum pull of 1,000 lbs. and
plates are thick enough to minimize flex and Completely sealed, the lamps are
is flushed with only 2 gallons of freshwater
1,500 lbs., the VWC 1000 and 1500 series
dimpled to reduce angular distortion. Tough, impervious to saltwater, dust and
before producing edible ice.
feature an anodized aluminum gearbox
injection-molded captive corner latches contaminants. UV- and corrosion-
The heavy-duty IceSea IC2000CW
handling 1/4"-3/8" HT and BBB short-link
minimize angle error. The 1-1/4" windage resistant, the lens and lamp body will not
Ice Maker from C-BEA Stainless Products
chains with a line speed of 60 ft./min.
holes reduce aerodynamic drag. fade, craze or yellow.
has a suggested retail price of just $27,048.
Maxwell’s VWC 1000 series Vertical
The Standard Echomaster from Davis The lamps measure a discrete 2.8" W
It also comes with an unrivaled 2-year
Windlass has a starting retail price of $3,513
retails for $54.99 and the Deluxe Hanging x 2" H x 1.3" D and weigh less than 1.7
limited warranty.
and the VWC 1500 series starts at $4,195.
Echomaster is $74.99. ounces.
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40