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Edward Edwards and George Hamilton
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Title: Voyage of H.M.S. Pandora
Despatched to Arrest the Mutineers of the 'Bounty' in the
South Seas, 1790-1791
Author: Edward Edwards
George Hamilton
Commentator: Basil Thomson
Release Date: October 2, 2007 [EBook #22834]
Language: English
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VOYAGE OF
H.M.S. 'PANDORA'
DESPATCHED TO ARREST THE MUTINEERS OF
THE 'BOUNTY' IN THE SOUTH SEAS, 1790-91
BEING THE NARRATIVES OF
CAPTAIN EDWARD EDWARDS, R.N.
THE COMMANDER
AND
GEORGE HAMILTON
THE SURGEON
WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY
BASIL THOMSON
LONDON
FRANCIS EDWARDS
83 HIGH STREET, MARYLEBONE
1915
CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1
CAPTAIN EDWARDS' REPORTS 27
A VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD 91
VOYAGE FROM OTAHEITE TO ANAMOOKA 121
VOYAGE FROM ANAMOOKA, WITH AN ACCOUNT
OF THE LOSS OF THE _PANDORA_ 136
VOYAGE FROM THE WRECK TO THE ISLAND OF TIMOR 147
OCCURRENCES AT COUPANG; VOYAGE TO BATAVIA,
ETC.; ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 160
INDEX 173
MAP OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN, SHOWING THE COURSE
FOLLOWED BY H.M.S. _PANDORA_ IN 1791
INTRODUCTION
NONE of the minor incidents in our naval history has inspired so many
writers as the Mutiny of the _Bounty_. Histories, biographies and
romances, from Bligh's narrative in 1790 to Mr. Becke's "Mutineers" in
1898, have been founded upon it; Byron took it for the theme of the least
happy of his dramatic poems; and all these, not because the mutiny left
any mark upon history, but because it ranks first among the stories of
the sea, instinct with the living elements of romance, of primal passion
and of tragedy--all moving to a happy ending in the Arcadia of Pitcairn
Island. And yet, while every incident in the moving story, even to the
evidence in the famous court-martial, has been discussed over and over
again, there has been lying in the Record Office for more than a century
an autograph manuscript, written by one of the principal actors in the
drama, which no one has thought it worth while to print.
Though the story of the mutiny is too well known to need repeating in
detail, it is necessary to set forth as briefly as possible its relation
to the history of maritime discovery in the Pacific. In the year 1787,
ten years after the death of Captain Cook in Hawaii, a number of West
India merchants in London, stirred by the glowing reports of the natural
wealth of the South Sea Islands brought home by Dampier and Cook,
petitioned the government to acclimatize the bread-fruit in Jamaica. A
ship of 215 tons was purchased into the service and fitted out under the
direct superintendence of Sir Joseph Banks, who named her the _Bounty_,
and recommended William Bligh, one of Cook's officers, for the command.
It was a new departure. The object of most of the earlier government
expeditions to the South Seas had been the advancement of geographical
science and natural history; the voyage of the _Bounty_ was to turn
former discoveries to the profit of the empire.
Bligh was singularly ill-fitted for the command. While he had undoubted
ability, his whole career shows him to have been wanting in the tact and
temper without which no one can successfully lead men; and in this
venture his own defects were aggravated by the inefficiency of his
officers. He took in his cargo of bread-fruit trees at Tahiti, and there
was no active insubordination until he reached Tonga on the homeward
voyage. At sunrise on April 28th, 1789, the crew mutinied under the
leadership of Fletcher Christian, the Master's Mate, whom Bligh's
ungoverned temper had provoked beyond endurance. The seamen had other
motives. Bligh had kept them far too long at Tahiti, and during the five
months they had spent at the island, every man had formed a connection
among the native women, and had enjoyed a kind of life that contrasted
sharply with the lot of bluejackets a century ago. Forcing Bligh, and
such of their shipmates as were loyal to him, into the launch, and
casting them adrift with food and water barely sufficient for a week's
subsistence, they set the ship's course eastward, crying "Huzza for
Tahiti!" There followed an open boat voyage that is unexampled in
maritime history. The boat was only 23 feet long; the weight of eighteen
men sank her almost to the gunwale; the ocean before them was unknown,
and teeming with hidden dangers; their only arms against hostile natives
were a few cutlasses, their only food two ounces of biscuit each a day;
and yet they ran 3618 nautical miles in forty-one days, and reached Timor
with the loss of only one man, and he was killed by the natives at the
very outset.
The mutineers fared as mutineers have always fared. Having sailed the
ship to Tahiti, they fell out among themselves, half taking the _Bounty_
to the uninhabited island of Pitcairn, where they were discovered
twenty-seven years later, and half remaining at Tahiti. Of these two were
murdered, four were drowned in the wreck of the _Pandora_, three were
hanged in England, and six were pardoned, one living to become a
post-captain in the navy, another to be gunner on the _Blenheim_ when she
foundered with Sir Thomas Troubridge.
One boat voyage only is recorded as being longer than Bligh's. In 1536
Diego Botelho Pereira made the passage from Portuguese India to Lisbon in
a native _fusta_, or lateen rigged boat, but a little larger than
Bligh's. He had, however, covered her with a deck, and provisioned her
for the venture, and he was able to replenish his stock at various points
on the voyage.
In 1790 the publication of Bligh's account of his sufferings excited the
strongest public sympathy, and the Admiralty lost no time in fitting out
an expedition to search for the mutineers, and bring them home to
punishment. The _Pandora_, frigate, of 24 guns, was commissioned for the
purpose, and manned by 160 men, composed largely of landsmen, for every
trained seaman in the navy had gone to man the great fleet then
assembling at Portsmouth under Lord Howe. Captain Edward Edwards, the
officer chosen for the command, had a high reputation as a seaman and a
disciplinarian, and from the point of view of the Admiralty, who intended
the cruise simply as a police mission without any scientific object, no
better choice could have been made. Their orders to him were to proceed
to Tahiti, and, not finding the mutineers there, to visit the different
groups of the Society and Friendly Islands, and the others in the
neighbouring parts of the Pacific, using his best endeavours to seize and
bring home in confinement the whole, or such part of the delinquents as
he might be able to discover. "You are," the orders ran, "to keep the
mutineers as closely confined as may preclude all possibility of their
escaping, having, however, proper regard to the preservation of their
lives, that they may be brought home to undergo the punishment due to
their demerits." Edwards belonged to that useful class of public servant
that lives upon instructions. With a roving commission in an ocean
studded with undiscovered islands the possibilities of scientific
discovery were immense, but he faced them like a blinkered horse that has
his eyes fixed on the narrow track before him, and all the pleasant
byways of the road shut out. A cold, hard man, devoid of sympathy and
imagination, of every interest beyond the straitened limits of his
profession, Edwards in the eye of posterity was almost the worst man that
could have been chosen. For, with a different commander, the voyage would
have been one of the most important in the history of South Sea
discovery, and the account he has written of it compares in style and
colour with a log-book.
In Edwards' place a more genial man, a Catoira, a Wallis, or a Cook,
would have written a journal of discovery that might have taken a place
in the front rank of the literature of travel. He would have investigated
the murder of La Pérouse's boat's crew in Tutuila on the spot; he would
have rescued the survivors of that ill-fated expedition whose
smoke-signals he saw on Vanikoro; he would have brought home news of the
great Fiji group through which Bligh passed in the _Bounty's_ launch; he
might even have discovered Fletcher Christian's colony of mutineers in
Pitcairn. But, on the other hand, humanity to his prisoners might have
furnished them with the means of escape, and his ardour for discovery
might have led him into dangers from which no one would have survived to
tell the tale. Edwards had the qualities of his defects. If he treated
his prisoners harshly, he prevented them from contaminating his crew, and
brought the majority of them home alive through all the perils of
shipwreck and famine. In all the attacks that have been made upon him
there is not a word against his character as a plain, straight-forward
officer, who could lick a crew of landsmen into shape, and keep them
loyal to him through the stress of shipwreck and privation. If he was
callous to the sufferings of his prisoners, he was at least as
indifferent to his own. If he felt no sympathy with others, he asked for
none with himself. If he won no love, he compelled respect.
Of his officers little need be said. Corner, the first lieutenant, was a
stout seaman, who bottled up his disapproval of his captain's behaviour
until the commission was out. Hayward, the second lieutenant, was a
time-server. He had been a midshipman on the _Bounty_ at the time of the
mutiny, and an intimate friend of young Peter Heywood who was constrained
to cast in his lot with the mutineers, yet, when Heywood gave himself up
on the arrival of the _Pandora_ at Tahiti, his old comrade, now risen in
the world, received him with a haughty stare. Of Larkin, Passmore, and
the rest, we know nothing.
Fortunately for us, the _Pandora_ carried a certain rollicking,
irresponsible person as surgeon. George Hamilton has been called "a
coarse, vulgar, and illiterate man, more disposed to relate licentious
scenes and adventures, in which he and his companions were engaged, than
to give any information of proceedings and occurrences connected with
the main object of the voyage." From this puritanical criticism most
readers will dissent. Hamilton was bred in Northumberland, and was at
this time past forty. His portrait, the frontispiece to his book,
represents him in the laced coat and powdered wig of the period, a man of
middle age, with clever, well-cut features, and a large, humorous, and
rather sensual mouth. His book, with all its faults of scandalous plain
speech, is one that few naval surgeons of that day could have written.
The style, though flippant, is remarkable for a cynical but always
good-natured humour, and on the rare occasions when he thought it
professionally incumbent on him to be serious, as in his discussion of
the best dietary for long voyages, and the physical effects of
privations, his remarks display observation and good sense. It must be
admitted, I fear, that he relates certain of his own and his shipmates'
adventures ashore with shameless gusto, but he wrote in an age that loved
plain speech, and that did not care to veil its appetite for licence.
Like Edwards, he tells us little of the prisoners after they were
consigned to "Pandora's Box." His narrative is valuable as a commentary
on Edwards' somewhat meagre report, and for the sidelights which it
throws upon the manners of naval officers of those days. Even Edwards, to
whom he is always loyal, does not escape his little shaft of satire when
he relates how the stern captain was driven to conduct prayers in the
most desperate portion of the boat voyage. His book, published at Berwick
in 1793, has now become so rare that Mr. Quaritch lately advertised for
it three times without success, and therefore no excuse is needed for
reprinting it.
The _Pandora_ was dogged by ill luck from the first. An epidemic fever
raging in England at the time of her departure, was introduced on board,
it was thought, by infected clothing. The sick bay, and indeed, the
officers' cabins, too, were crammed with stores intended for the return
voyage of the _Bounty_, and there was no accommodation for the sick.
Hamilton attributes their recovery to the use of tea and sugar, then
carried for the first time in a ship of war. He gives some interesting
information regarding the precautions taken against scurvy. They had
essence of malt and hops for brewing beer, a mill for grinding wheat, the
meal being eaten with brown sugar, and as much saurkraut as the crew
chose to eat.
The first land sighted after rounding Cape Horn, was Ducie's island;
probably the same island which, as the Encarnacion of Quiros, has dodged
about the charts of the old geographers, swelling into a continent,
contracting into an atoll, and finally coming to rest in the
neighbourhood of the Solomon Islands before vanishing for ever. The
_Pandora_ was now in the latitude of Pitcairn, which lay down wind only
three hundred miles distant. If she had but kept a westerly course, she
must have sighted it, for the island's peak is visible for many leagues,
but relentless ill fortune turned her northward, and during the ensuing
day she passed the men she was in search of scarce thirty leagues away.
One glimmer of good fortune awaited Edwards in Tahiti. The schooner built
by the mutineers was ready for sea, but not provisioned for a voyage. She
put to sea, and outsailed the _Pandora's_ boat that went in chase of her,
but her crew, dreading the inevitable starvation that faced them, put
back during the night and took to the mountains, where they were all
captured.
In the matter of "Pandora's Box," there were excuses for Edwards, who was
bitterly attacked afterwards for his inhumanity. One of the chiefs had
warned him that there was a plot between the natives and the mutineers to
cut the cable of the _Pandora_ in the night. Most of the mutineers were
connected through their women with influential chiefs, and nothing was
more likely than that such a rescue should be attempted. His own crew,
moreover, were human. They could see for themselves the charms of a life
in Tahiti; they could hear from the prisoners the consideration in which
Englishmen were held in this delightful land. What had been possible in
the _Bounty_ was possible in the _Pandora_. Edwards regarded his
prisoners as pirates, desperate with the weight of the rope about their
necks. His orders were definite--to consider nothing but the preservation
of their lives--and he did his duty in his own way according to his
lights. And that he was not insensible to every feeling of humanity is
shown by the fact that he allowed the native wives of the mutineers daily
access to their husbands while the ship lay there. The infinitely
pathetic story of poor "Peggy," the beautiful Tahitian girl who had borne
a child to midshipman Stewart, was vouched for six years later by the
missionaries of the "Duff." She had to be separated from her husband by
force, and it was at his request that she was not again admitted to the
ship. Poor girl! it was all her life to her. A month before her
boy-husband perished in the wreck of the _Pandora_, she had died of a
broken heart, leaving her baby, the first half-caste born in Tahiti, to
be brought up by the missionaries.
"Pandora's Box" certainly needed some excuse. A round house, eleven feet
long, accessible only through a scuttle in the roof, was built upon the
quarter deck as a prison for the fourteen mutineers, who were ironed and
handcuffed. Hamilton says that the roundhouse was built partly out of
consideration for the prisoners themselves, in order to spare them the
horrors of prolonged imprisonment below in the tropics, and that although
the service regulations restricted prisoners to two-thirds allowance,
Edwards rationed them exactly like the ship's company. Morrison,
however, who seems to have belonged to that objectionable class of
seamen--the sea-lawyer--having kept a journal of grievances against Bligh
when on the _Bounty_, and preserved it even in "Pandora's Box," gives a
very different account, and Peter Heywood, a far more trustworthy
witness, declared in a letter to his mother, that they were kept "with
both hands and both legs in irons, and were obliged to eat, drink, sleep,
and obey the calls of nature, without ever being allowed to get out of
this den."
Edwards now provisioned the mutineers' little schooner, and put on board
of her a prize crew of two petty officers and seven men to navigate her
as his tender. For the first few weeks, while the scent was keen, he
maintained a very active search for the _Bounty_. He had three clues:
first, the mention of Aitutaki in a story the mutineers had told the
natives to account for their reappearance; second, a report made to him
by Hillbrant, one of his prisoners, that Christian, on the night before
he left Tahiti, had declared his intention of settling on Duke of York's
Island; and third, the discovery on Palmerston Island of the _Bounty's_
driver yard, much worm-eaten from long immersion. It must be confessed
that hopes founded on these clues did little credit to Edwards'
intelligence. Aitutaki, having been discovered by Bligh, was the last
place Christian would have chosen: he might have guessed that a man of
Christian's intelligence would intentionally have given a false account
of his projects to the mutineers he left behind, knowing that even if all
who were set adrift in the boat had perished, the story of the mutiny
would be learned by the first ship that visited Tahiti; a worm-eaten spar
lying on the tide-mark, at an island situated directly down-wind from the
Society Islands, so far from proving that the _Bounty_ had been there,
indicated the exact contrary. But it is to be remembered that at this
time the islands known to exist in the Pacific could almost be counted on
the fingers, and that Edwards could not have hoped, within the limits of
a single cruise, to examine even the half of those that were marked in
his chart. Had he suspected the existence of the vast number of islands
around him, he would at once have realised the hopelessness of attempting
to discover the hiding-place of an able navigator bent on concealment.
Whether, as has been suggested by one writer,[10-1] Christian was piloted
to Pitcairn by his Tahitian companions, of whom some were descended from
the old native inhabitants, or had read of it in Carteret's voyage in
1767, or had chanced upon it by accident, he could have followed no wiser
course than to steer eastward, and upwind, for any vessel despatched to
arrest him would perforce go first to Tahiti for information, when it
would be too late to beat to the eastward without immense loss of time.
From Aitutaki Edwards bore north-west to investigate the second clue, and
in the Union Group he made his first important discovery of new
land--Nukunono, inhabited by a branch of the Micronesian race, crossed
with Polynesian blood. From thence he ran southward to Samoa, where he
came upon traces of the massacre of La Pérouse's second in command, M. de
Langle, in the shape of accoutrements cut from the uniforms of the French
officers. Consistent with his usual concentration upon the object of his
voyage, he does not seem to have cared to make enquiries about them.
At this stage in the voyage there occurred an accident which, from our
point of view, must be regarded as the most fortunate incident of the
voyage. The tender, very imperfectly victualled, parted company in a
thick shower of rain. At this date Fiji, the most important group in the
South Pacific, was practically unknown. Tasman had sighted its
north-eastern extremity: Cook had discovered Vatoa, an outlying island in
the far southward, and had heard of it from the Tongans in his second
voyage when he had not time to look for it; Bligh had passed through the
heart of it in his boat voyage, and had even been chased by two canoes
from Round Island, Yasawa; but no European had landed or held any
intercourse with the natives. It is not easy to understand how islands of
such magnitude as Fiji should have remained undiscovered so long after
every other important group in the Pacific had found its place in the
charts of the Pacific. They were known by repute; Hamilton writes of "the
savage and cannibal Feegees"; they lay but two days' sail down-wind from
Tonga. Three years before the _Pandora's_ cruise the Pacific had been
thrown open to the sperm whale fishery, which has had so large a part in
South Sea discovery, by the cruise of the English ship _Amelia_, fitted
out by Enderby; and yet neither ship of war nor whaler had chanced upon
them. But for a meagre passage in Edwards' journal, and a traditionary
poem in the Fijian language, we should not know to whom belongs the
honour of first visiting them. The native tradition sets forth that with
the first visit of a European ship a devastating sickness, called the
Great Lila, or "Wasting Sickness," attacked the people of one of the
Eastern Islands (of the Lau group), and, spreading from island to island,
swept away vast numbers of the people. There are, it may be remarked,
innumerable instances in history of the contact between continental and
island peoples, both of them healthy at the time of contact, producing
fatal epidemics among the islanders. Even among our own Hebrides the
natives are said to look for an outbreak of "Strangers' Cold" after every
visit of a ship. The Fijian tradition certainly dates from a few years
before the beginning of the last century.
The real discoverers of Fiji seem to have been Oliver, master's mate;
Renouard, midshipman; James Dodds, quartermaster, and six seamen of the
_Pandora_, who formed the crew of Edwards' tender; and surely no ship
that ever ventured among those dangerous islands was so ill furnished for
repelling attack. Edwards had sent provisions and ammunition on board of
her when off Palmerston Island, but by this time they were exhausted, and
a fresh supply was actually on the _Pandora's_ deck when she parted
company. Her provision for the long and dangerous voyage before her was a
bag of salt, a bag of nails and ironware, a boarding netting, and several
seven-barrelled pieces and blunderbusses. She had besides the latitude
and longitude of the places the _Pandora_ would touch at.
The following account of their cruise is drawn from the remarks of
Edwards and Hamilton on finding the tender safe in Samarang, for I have
searched the Record Office in vain for Oliver's log. If he kept any, it
was not thought worth preserving. On the night the tender parted company,
the 22nd June, 1791, the natives of the south-east end of Upolu made a
determined attack upon the little vessel with their canoes. The
seven-barrelled pieces made terrible havoc among them, but, never having
seen fire-arms, and not understanding the connection between the fall of
their comrades and the report, they kept up the attack with great fury.
But for the boarding netting they would easily have taken the schooner,
and indeed, one fellow succeeded in springing over it, and would have
felled Oliver with his club had he not been shot dead at the moment of
striking. On the 23rd they cruised about in search of the _Pandora_ until
the afternoon when, having drunk their last drop of water, they gave her
up, and made sail for Namuka, the appointed rendezvous. The torture they
suffered from thirst on the passage was such that poor Renouard, the
midshipman, became delirious, and continued so for many weeks. Their
leeway and the easterly current combined to set them to the westward of
Namuka, and the first land they made was Tofoa, which they mistook for
Namuka, their rendezvous. The natives, the same that had attacked Bligh
so treacherously two years before, sold them provisions and water, and
then made an attempt to take the vessel, and would have succeeded but for
the fire-arms. On the very day of the attack the _Pandora_ dropped anchor
at Namuka, within sight of Tofoa, and not finding her tender, bore down
upon that island. Had Oliver been able to wait there for her, his
troubles would have been at an end. But he dared not take the risk, and
when Edwards sent a boat ashore to make enquiries the little schooner had
sailed. The reception accorded to Edwards at Tofoa is very characteristic
of the Tongans. Lieutenant Hayward, who had been present at the attack
made upon Bligh, recognised several of the murderers of Norton among the
people who crowded on board to do homage to the great chief, Fatafehi,
who had taken passage in the frigate, but Edwards dared not punish them
for fear that his tender should fall among them after he had left. Had he
but known that these men had come red-handed from a treacherous attack
upon the tender; that Fatafehi, who so loudly condemned their treachery
to Bligh, and assured him that nothing had been seen of the little
vessel, had just heard of the abortive attack they had made upon her, he
would have taught them a lesson that would have lasted the Tongans many
years, and might have saved the lives of the Europeans who perished in
the taking of the _Port-au-Prince_ and the _Duke of Portland_. For these
"Norsemen of the Pacific," whom Cook, knowing nothing of the treachery
they had planned against him under the guise of hospitality, misnamed the
"Friendly Islanders," were, in reality, a nation of wreckers.
Leaving Tofoa about July 1st, the schooner ran westward for two days
"nearly in its latitude," and fell in with an island which Edwards
supposed to be one of the Fiji group. The island of the Fiji group that
lies most nearly in the latitude of Tofoa is Vatoa, discovered by Cook,
but there are strong reasons for seeking Oliver's discoveries elsewhere.
Vatoa lies only 170 miles from Tofoa, and, therefore, if Oliver took two
days in reaching it, he cannot have been running at more than three knots
an hour. But, early in July, the south-east trade wind is at its
strongest, and with a fair wind a fast sailer, as we know the schooner to
have been, cannot have been travelling at a slower rate than six knots.
We are further told that Oliver waited five weeks at the island, and took
in provisions and water. Now, in July, which is the middle of the dry
season, no water is to be found on Vatoa except a little muddy and fetid
liquid at the bottom of shallow wells which the natives, who rely upon
coconuts for drinking water, only use for cooking. Provisions also are
very scarce there at all times. The same objections apply to Ongea and
Fulanga which lie fifty miles north of Vatoa, in the same longitude,
though they certainly possess harbours in which a vessel could lie for
five weeks, which Vatoa does not. If, however, the schooner ran at the
rate of six knots, as may safely be assumed, all difficulties, except
that of latitude, vanish together, for at the distance of 290 nautical
miles from Tofoa lies Matuku, which with much justification has been
described by Wilkes as the most beautiful of all the islands in the
Pacific. There the natives live in perpetual plenty among perennial
streams, and could victual the largest ship without feeling any
diminution of their stock. In the harbour three frigates could lie in
perfect safety, and the people have earned a reputation for honesty and
hospitality to passing ships which belongs to the inhabitants of none of
the large islands. There is another alternative--Kandavu--but to reach
that island, the schooner must have run at an average of eleven knots,
and the number and cupidity of the natives would have made a stay of five
weeks impossible to a vessel so poorly manned and armed.
All these considerations point to the fact that Oliver lay for five weeks
at Matuku, which lies but fifty miles north of the latitude of Tofoa. He
was, therefore, the first European who had intercourse with the Fijians.
Their traditions have never been collected, and if one be found recording
the insignificant details so dear to the native poet, such as the
boarding netting, or the sickness of Midshipman Renouard, or better
still, the outbreak of the Great Lila Sickness, the inference may be
taken as proved.
Any other navigator than Edwards would have given us details of Oliver's
wonderful voyage, or, at least, would have preserved his log, but the
voyage from Fiji to the Great Barrier reef is a blank. Hamilton, indeed,
alludes vaguely to the crew having had to be on their guard "at other
islands that were inhabited," and since their course from Fiji to
Endeavour Straits would have carried them through the heart of the New
Hebrides, and close to Malicolo, we may assume that they called at Api,
at Ambrym or at Malicolo to replenish their stock of water. They reached
the Great Barrier reef in the greatest distress, and having run "from
shore to shore," _i.e._ from New Guinea to within sight of the coast of
Queensland without finding an opening, and having to choose between the
alternatives of shipwreck or of death by famine, they went boldly at it,
and beat over the reef. Even then they would have starved but for their
providential encounter with a small Dutch vessel cruising a little to the
westward of Endeavour Straits, which supplied them with water and
provisions. The governor of the first Dutch settlement they touched at,
having a description of the mutineers from the British Government, and
observing that their schooner was built of foreign timber, refused to
believe their account of themselves, especially as Oliver, being a petty
officer, could produce no commission or warrant in support of his
statement, and imprisoned them all, without, however, treating them with
harshness. On the first opportunity he sent them to Samarang, where
Edwards had them released. The plucky little schooner was sold, to begin
another career of usefulness as set forth in the footnote to p. 33, and
her purchase money was divided among the _Pandora's_ crew.
Thus ended one of the most eventful voyages in the history of South Sea
discovery, dismissed by Edwards in a few lines; by Hamilton in two pages.
The search made among the naval archives at the Record Office leaves but
little hope that any log-book or journal has been preserved.
Meanwhile, Edwards, disappointed in his search for the tender at Namuka
and Tofoa, and prevented by a head wind from examining Tongatabu, set his
course again for Samoa, and passed within sight of Vavau by the way.
Making the easterly extremity of the group, he visited in turn Manua,
Tutuila, and Upolu, but, like Bougainville, did not sight Savaii, which
lay a little to the northward of his course. It is not surprising that
the natives of Upolu denied all knowledge of the tender, seeing that they
had made a determined attempt upon her less than a month before. From
Samoa he sailed to Vavau which he named Howe's Group, in ignorance that
it had been discovered by Maurelle ten years before, and subsequently
visited by La Pérouse. Running southward, he made Pylstaart, at that time
inhabited by Tongan castaways, and the fact that he did not stop to
examine it, although he saw by the smoke that it was inhabited, shows
that he had begun to tire of his search for the mutineers. Having
enquired at Tongatabu and Eua, he returned to Namuka for water, and at
this point any systematic search either for the tender or the mutineers
seems to have been abandoned.
Edwards had now been nine months at sea, and the prospect of the long
homeward voyage round the Cape was still before him. With every league he
had sailed westward the scent had grown fainter, and he was about to pass
the spot from which the mutineers were known to have sailed in the
opposite direction. His course is not easy to explain. To reason that the
tender had fallen to leeward of her rendezvous, and had been compelled to
seek shelter and provisions at one of the islands discovered by Bligh
only two days' sail to the westward, required no high degree of
foresight; and yet Edwards, who must have known the position of the Fiji
islands from Bligh's narrative, deliberately set his course for
Niuatobutabu, two days' sail to the north-west. But, falling to leeward
of it, he made Niuafo'ou, the curious volcanic island discovered by
Schouten in 1616, and never since visited. The prevailing wind making a
visit to Niuatobutabu now impossible, he visited Wallis Island, and then
bore away to the west.
On August 8th, 1791, he made the discovery of Rotuma, whose enterprising
people now furnish the Torres Straits pearl fishery with its best divers.
It is difficult to forgive him for leaving so meagre an account of this
interesting little community of mixed Polynesian and Micronesian blood.
Edwards was probably mistaken in thinking their intentions hostile. Kau
Moala, a Tongan who visited them in 1807, and related his experiences to
Mariner, describes them as always friendly to strangers. Probably they
took the _Pandora_ for a god-ship, and since the Immortals of their
Pantheon are generally malevolent, they left their women behind, and
flourished weapons to scare the gods into good behaviour. In 1807 they
had forgotten the visit, perhaps because it had brought them no calamity
to inspire the native poets. Hamilton relates an incident quite in
keeping with the character of this determined and sturdy little people.
"One fellow was making off with some booty, but was detected; and
although five of the stoutest men in the ship were hanging upon him, and
had fast hold of his long flowing black hair, he overpowered them all,
and jumped overboard with his prize."
The ill fortune that pursued Edwards, that had baulked him of Pitcairn
when it lay within a few hours' sail, that had cheated him at once of the
recovery of his tender and the discovery of Fiji, and was soon to rob him
of his ship, now dealt him the unkindest cut of all. On August 13th, he
sighted the island of Vanikoro, and ran along its shore, sometimes within
a mile of the reef. There was no conceivable reason why he should not
have made some attempt to communicate with the inhabitants whose smoke
signals attracted his attention. Had he done so, he would have been the
means of rescuing the survivors of La Pérouse's expedition, and of
clearing away the mystery that covered their fate for so many years. For,
after Dillon's discoveries, there can be little doubt that they were on
the island at that very time, and it is not unlikely that the smoke was
actually a signal made by them to attract his attention. The Comte de la
Pérouse, who had been despatched on a voyage of discovery by Louis XVI.
on the eve of the Revolution, handed his journals to Governor Phillip in
Botany Bay for transmission to Europe in 1788, and neither he, nor his
two frigates, nor any of their company were ever seen again. Their fate
produced so painful an impression in France that the National Assembly,
then in the throes of the Revolution, sent out a relief expedition under
"Citizen-admiral" d'Entrecasteaux, and issued a splendid edition of his
journals at the public expense. We now know from the native account
elicited by Dillon that during a hurricane on a very dark night both
frigates struck on the reef of Vanikoro, that the _Astrolabe_ foundered
with all hands in deep water, and the crew of the _Boussole_ got safe to
land. They stayed on the island until they had built a brig of native
timber, in which they sailed away to the westward to meet a second
shipwreck, perhaps on the Great Barrier reef. But two of them stayed
behind for many years, and of these one was certainly alive in 1825. Now,
Edwards saw Vanikoro just three years after the wreck, and even if the
brig had sailed, there were two castaways who could have cleared up the
mystery.
After a narrow escape from shipwreck on the Indispensable Reef, he made
the coast of New Guinea, supposing it to be one of the Louisiades. And
here has occurred one of those curious errors in geographical
nomenclature which are perpetuated by the most permanent of all
histories--the Admiralty charts. Edwards gives the positions of two
conspicuous headlands, which he named Cape Rodney and Cape Hood, and of a
mountain lying between them which he called Mount Clarence. All these
names appear in the Admiralty charts, but they are assigned to the wrong
places. To a ship coming from the eastward the Cape Rodney of the charts
is not conspicuous enough to have attracted Edwards' attention. The Cape
Hood of the charts, on the contrary, cannot be mistaken, and it lies
exactly in the position which Edwards gave for Cape Rodney. The "Cape
Hood" that Edwards saw was undoubtedly Round Head, and his Mount Clarence
must have been the high cone between them in the Saroa district. The
_Pandora_ must have approached on one of those misty mornings when the
clouds creep down the mountain sides of New Guinea, and obscure the
ranges that rise, tier upon tier, right up to the towering peak of Mount
Victoria, or Edwards could not have mistaken the continent for the
insignificant islands of the Louisiades. On such a morning a narrow line
of coast stands out clear against a background of sombre fog.
The baleful fortune of the _Pandora_, now folded her wings and perched
upon the taffrail. By hugging the coast of New Guinea she would have won
a clear passage through these wreck-strewn straits of Torres, but the
navigators of those days counted on clear water to Endeavour Straits, and
recked little of the dangers of the Great Barrier reef. Bligh, who
chanced upon a passage in 12.34 S. Lat. so aptly that he called it
"Providential Channel," cautioned future navigators in words that should
have warned Edwards against the course he was steering. "These, however,
are marks too small for a ship to hit, unless it can hereafter be
ascertained that passages through the reef are numerous along the coast."
Edwards was not looking for Bligh's passage, which lay more than two
degrees southward of his course. He had lately adopted a most dangerous
practice of running blindly on through the night. Until he made the coast
of New Guinea, he had profited by the warning of Bougainville, the only
navigator whose book he seems to have studied, and always lay to till
daylight, but now, in the most dangerous sea in the world, he threw this
obvious precaution to the wind. Hamilton, to whom we are indebted for
this information (for it did not transpire at the court martial) says
that "the great length of the voyage would not permit it." How fatuous a
proceeding it was in unsurveyed and unknown waters may be judged from the
fact that in coral seas that have been carefully surveyed all ships of
war are now compelled to keep the lead going whenever they move in coral
waters. On August 25th he discovered the Murray Islands, and, after
spending the day in a vain attempt to force a passage through them, he
followed the reef southward for two days without finding a passage. This
must have brought him very near the latitude of Bligh's passage. On the
morning of August 28th Lieut. Corner was sent to examine what appeared to
be a channel, and an hour before dark he signalled that he had found a
passage large enough for the ship. The night fell before the boat could
get back, and this induced Edwards, who had already lost one boat's crew
and his tender, to lie much closer to the reef than was prudent. The
current did the rest. About seven the ship struck heavily, and, bumping
over the reef, tore her planking so that, despite eleven hours incessant
pumping, she foundered shortly after daylight. Eighty-nine of the ship's
company and ten of the mutineers were picked up by the boats and landed
on a sand cay four miles distant, and thirty-one sailors, and four
mutineers (who went down in manacles) were drowned.
Having read the different versions of this affair both for and against
Edwards, I think it is proved that, besides treating his prisoners with
inhumanity, he disregarded the orders of the Admiralty. His attitude
towards the prisoners was always consistent. We learn from Corner that he
allowed Coleman, Norman and Mackintosh to work at the pumps, but that
when the others implored him to let them out of irons he placed two
additional sentries over them, and threatened to shoot the first man who
attempted to liberate himself. Every allowance must be made for the fear
that in the disordered state of the ship, they might have made an attempt
to escape, but during the eleven hours in which the water was gaining
upon the pumps there was ample time to provide for their security. That
so many were saved was due, not to him, but to a boatswain's mate, who
risked his own life to liberate them. Lieut. Corner, who would not have
been likely to err on the side of hostility to Edwards, gives his
evidence against him in this particular. But whether he is to be believed
or not, the fact that four of the prisoners went down in irons is
impossible to extenuate.
Edwards dismisses the boat voyage in very few words, though, in fact, it
was a remarkable achievement to take four overloaded boats from the
Barrier Reef to Timor without the loss of a single man. He made the coast
of Queensland a little to the south of Albany Island, where the blacks
first helped him to fill his water breakers, and then attacked him. He
watered again at Horn Island, and then sailed through the passage which
bears Flinders' name owing to the fallacy that he discovered it. After
clearing the sound, he seems to have mistaken Prince of Wales' Island for
Cape York, which he had left many miles behind him.
Favoured by a fair wind and a calm sea, he made the run from Flinders
passage to Timor in eleven days. Like Bligh, he found that the young bore
their privations better than the old, and that the first effect of thirst
and famine is to make men excessively irritable. Hamilton records a
characteristic incident. Edwards had neglected to conduct prayers in his
boat until he was reminded of his duty by one of the mutineers, who was
leading the devotions of the seamen in the bows of the boat. Scandalized
at the impropriety of a "pirate" daring to appeal to the Highest Tribunal
for mercy, as it were, behind the back of the earthly court before which
he was shortly to be arraigned, the captain sternly reproved him, and
conducted prayers himself. A sense of humour was not numbered among
Edwards' endowments.
Timor was sighted on the 13th September, and on the 15th the party landed
at Coupang, where the Dutch authorities received them with every
hospitality. Here they met the survivors of a third boat voyage,
scarcely less adventurous than Bligh's and their own. A party of
convicts, including a woman and two small children, had contrived to
steal a ship's gig and to escape in her from Port Jackson. Sleeping on
shore at nights whenever possible, subsisting on shell-fish and
sea-birds, they ran the entire length of the Queensland coast, threaded
Endeavour Straits, and arrived at Coupang after an exposure lasting ten
weeks without the loss of a single life. Having given themselves out as
the survivors from the wreck of an English ship, they were entertained
with great hospitality until the arrival of Edwards two weeks later, when
they betrayed their story gratuitously. The captain of a Dutch vessel,
who spoke English, on first hearing the news of Edwards' landing, ran to
them with the glad tidings of their captain's arrival, on which one of
them started up in surprise and exclaimed, "What captain? Dam'me! we have
no captain." On hearing this the governor had them arrested, and sent to
the castle, one man and the woman having to be pursued into the bush
before they were taken. They then confessed that they were escaped
convicts.
Apart from their adventurous voyage, there is much romance about their
story. William Bryant, the leader, had been transported for smuggling,
and his sweetheart, Mary Broad, who was maid to a lady in Salcombe, in
Devonshire for connivance in her lover's escape from Winchester Gaol. In
due course they were married in Botany Bay, where Bryant was employed as
fisherman to the governor, a post that enabled him to plan their
successful escape. Bryant and both children died on the voyage home,
together with three others, Morton, Cox and Simms, but the woman survived
to obtain a full pardon, owing chiefly to the exertions of an officer of
marines who went home with her in the _Gorgon_, and eventually married
her.[24-1] Butcher, who was also pardoned, returned to New South Wales
and became a thriving settler. The remaining four were sent back to
complete their sentences. Their story has been graphically told by
Messrs. Louis Becke and Walter Jeffery in "The First Fleet Family."
During the voyage from Coupang to Batavia Edwards narrowly escaped a
second shipwreck. The _Rembang_ was dismasted on a lee shore in a
cyclone, and, but for the exertions of the English seamen, would
assuredly have been stranded, the Dutch sailors, who, says the facetious
Hamilton, "would fight the devil should he appear to them in any other
shape but that of thunder and lightning," having taken to their hammocks.
At Samarang, as already related, Edwards found the tender, which he had
long given up for lost, and the price she fetched enabled the crew to
purchase decent clothing. Heywood afterwards asserted that no clothing
was given to the prisoners but what they could earn by plaiting and
selling straw hats. They were miserably housed, when on board the
_Rembang_, and kept in rigid confinement both at Batavia, and on the
_Vreedemberg_, in which they made the voyage to the Cape.
At Batavia Edwards divided his men among three Dutch vessels homeward
bound, but at the Cape he removed his own contingent into H.M.S.
_Gorgon_, and arrived at Spithead on June 18th, 1792. Two days later the
ten mutineers were transferred to H.M.S. _Hector_, Captain Montague, and
the convicts were sent to Newgate. The court martial, which did not
assemble until September 12th, lasted five days, with the result that
Norman, Coleman, Mackintosh and Byrne were acquitted, and Heywood,
Morrison, Ellison, Burkitt, Millward and Muspratt were condemned to
death, the two first being recommended to mercy. On October 24th Heywood
and Morrison received the King's pardon, and both re-entered the Navy,
Heywood to retire in 1816, when nearly at the head of the list of
captains; Morrison to go down in the ill-fated _Blenheim_ in which he was
serving as gunner. Muspratt also was pardoned, but the three others were
hanged on board the _Brunswick_ in Portsmouth Harbour on October 29th,
1792. Thus ended a voyage that, for adventure and discovery, deserves a
high place in the history of maritime enterprise in the Pacific. Voyages
take their rank from the scientific attainments and literary ability of
the men who record them, and the _Pandora_, unlucky in her fate as in her
ill-omened name, was scarcely less unfortunate in her historian.
B. T.
FOOTNOTES:
[10-1] Mr. Louis Becke, "The Mutineers."
[24-1] The _Gorgon_ also carried Lieut. Clark, of the Royal Marines,
whose journal of the voyage to Botany Bay and Norfolk Island in 1789
throws a very interesting light upon the early days of the colony.
Unfortunately the journal says very little of the _Gorgon's_ voyage
home.
CAPTAIN EDWARDS' REPORTS.
"_Pandora_ in Sta Cruz Bay,
Teneriff,
25th November, 1790.
[R 28 Dec. and Read.]
SIR,
Be pleased to acquaint My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that I
sailed again from Jack-in-the-Basket with His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_
under my command on the 7th day of November, and anchored in Santa Cruz
by Teneriffe on the 22nd: that nothing particular occured in my passage
to this place, except that of my falling in with His Majesty's sloop
_Shark_ on the 17th November in Latitude 32° 33' Longitude 13° 40' W.
bound to Madeira with despatches for Rear Admiral Cornish, and my
learning from them that the matters in dispute with Spain were amicably
settled, of which circumstance I was unacquainted when I left England. I
am now compleating my water, and have taken on board full 3 months wine
for my compliment, with some fruit and vegetables, and purpose and
flatter myself that I shall be able to sail from hence this evening.
Inclosed I send the state and condition of His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_
for their Lordships' information, and I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient and ever humble servant,
EDWARD EDWARDS.
Phillip Stevens, Esq."
"_Pandora_ at Rio Janeiro,
the 6th January, 1791.
[Received 29th June and read.]
SIR,
Be pleased to acquaint My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that I
sailed from Teneriff with His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_ on the afternoon
of the 25th November, agreeable to my intentions signified to their
Lordships by letter from that island, and anchored off the city Rio
Janeiro on the evening of the 31st of December with a view to compleat my
water and to get refreshments for the ship's company and from my being
persuaded that very long runs, particularly with new ships' companies,
are prejudicial to health, and as my men are of that description, and
have also suffered in their health from a fever which has prevailed
amongst them in a greater or less degree ever since they left England,
were other inducements for my touching at this port. I shall stay here no
longer than is absolutely necessary to procure these articles, and which
I expect to be able to accomplish by the seventh of this month, and I
shall then proceed on my voyage as soon as wind and weather will permit.
Herewith I send the state and condition of His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_,
and I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
EDW. EDWARDS."
"Batavia, the 25th November, 1791.
29th May, 1792.
From Amsterdam.
SIR,
In a letter dated the 6th day of January, 1791, which I did myself the
honour to address to you from Rio Janeiro I gave an account of my
proceedings up to that time and inclosed the state and condition of His
Majesty's Ship _Pandora_ under my command, and having compleated the
water and procured such articles of provision, etc., for the use of the
Ship's Company as they were in want of and I thought necessary for the
voyage, I sailed from that port on the 8th January, 1791, run along the
coast of America, Tierra Del Fuego, Hatin Land, round Cape Horn and
proceeded directly to Otaheite, and arrived at Matavy Bay in that Island
on the 23rd March without having touched in any other place in my passage
thither.
It was my intention to have put into New Year's harbour, or some other
port in its neighbourhood to complete our water and to refresh my people,
could I have effected that business within the month of January; but as I
arrived too late on that coast to fulfil my intentions within the time,
it determined me to push forward without delay, by which means I
flattered myself I might avoid that extreme bad weather and all the evil
consequences that are usually experienced in doubling Cape Horn in a more
advanced season of the year, and I had the good fortune not to be
disappointed in my expectation.
After doubling the Cape, and advancing Northward into warmer weather, the
fever which had prevailed on board gradually declined, and the diseases
usually succeeding such fevers prevented by a liberal use of the
antiscorbutics and other nourishing and useful articles with which we
were so amply supplied, and the ship's company arrived at Otaheite in
perfect health, except a few whose debilitated constitutions no climate,
provisions or medicine could much improve.
In our run to Otaheite we discovered 3 islands: the first, which I called
Ducie's Island, lies in Latitude 24° 40' 30" S. and Longitude 124° 36'
30" W. from Greenwich. It is between 2 and 3 miles long. The second I
called Lord Hood's Island. It lies in Latitude 21° 31' S. and Longitude
135° 32' 30" W., and is about 8 miles long. The third I called
Carysfort's Island. It lies in Latitude 20° 49' S. and Longitude 138° 33'
W. and it is 5 miles long. They are all three low lagoon islands covered
with wood, but we saw no inhabitants on either of them.[30-1] Before we
anchored at Matavy Bay, Joseph Coleman, Armourer of the _Bounty_, and
several of the natives came on board, from whom I learned that Christian
the pirate had landed and left 16 of his men on the Island, some of whom
were then at Matavy, and some had sailed from there the morning before
our arrival (in a schooner they had built) for Papara, a distant part of
the Island, to join other of the pirates that were settled at that place,
and that Churchill, Master at Arms, had been murdered by Matthew
Thompson, and that Matthew Thompson was killed by the natives and offered
as a sacrifice on their altars for the murder of Churchill, whom they had
made a chief.
George Stewart and Peter Heywood, midshipmen of the _Bounty_, came on
board the _Pandora_ soon after she came to an anchor, and I had also
information that Richard Skinner was at Matavy. I desired Poen, an
inferior chief (who, in the absence of Otoo, was the principal person in
the district) to bring him on board. The chief went on shore for the
purpose, and soon after he returned again and informed me that Skinner
was coming on board. Before night he did come on board, but whether it
was in consequence of the chief's instructions, or his own accord, I am
at a loss to say. As soon as the ship was moored the pinnace and launch
were got ready and sent under the direction of Lt. Corner and Hayward in
pursuit of the pirates and schooner in hopes of getting hold of them
before they could get information of our arrival, and Odiddee, a native
of Bolabola, and who has been with Capt. Cook, etc., went with them as a
guide.
The boats were discovered by the pirates before they had arrived at the
place where these people had landed, and they immediately embarked in
their schooner and put to sea, and she was chased the remainder of the
day by our boats, but, it blowing fresh, she outsailed them, and the
boats returned to the ship. Jno. Brown, the person left at Otaheite by
Mr. Cox of the _Mercury_,[31-1] and from whom their Lordships supposed I
might get some useful information, had been under the necessity for his
own safety to associate with the pirates, but he took the opportunity to
leave them when they were about to embark in the schooner and put to sea.
He informed me that they had very little water and provisions on board,
or vessels to hold them in, and, of course, could not keep at sea long. I
entered Brown on the ship's books as part of the compliment and found him
very intelligent and useful in the different capacities of guide, soldier
and seaman. I employed different people to look out for and to give
information on their landing either on this or the neighbouring islands.
On the 26th, in the evening, sent the pinnace to Edee by desire of the
old Otoo, or king, to bring him on board the _Pandora_. Early on the
morning of the 27th, I had information that the pirates were returning
with the schooner to Papara and that they were landed and retired to the
mountains, to endeavour to conceal and defend themselves. Immediately
sent Lt. Corner with 26 men in the launch to Papara to pursue them. At
night the Otoo, his two queens and suite came on board the pinnace and
slept on board the _Pandora_, which they afterwards frequently did.
The next morning Lt. Hayward was sent with a party in the pinnace to join
the party in the launch at Papara. I found the Otoo ready to furnish me
with guides and to give me any other assistance in his power, but he had
very little authority or influence in that part of the island where the
pirates had taken refuge, and even his right to the sovereignty of the
eastern part of the island had been recently disputed by Tamarie, one of
the royal family. Under these circumstances I conceived the taking of the
Otoo and the other chiefs attached to his interest into custody would
alarm the faithful part of his subjects and operate to our disadvantage.
I therefore satisfied myself with the assistance he offered and had in
his power to give me, and I found means at different times to send
presents to Tamarie (and invited him to come on board, which he promised
to do, but never fulfilled his promise), and convinced him I had it in my
power to lay his country in waste, which I imagined would be sufficient
at least to make him withhold that support he hitherto, through policy,
had occasionally given to the pirates in order to draw them to his
interest and to strengthen his own party against the Otoo.
I probably might have had it in my power to have taken and secured the
person of Tamarie, but I was apprehensive that such an attempt might
irritate the natives attached to his interest, and induce them to act
hostilely against our party at a time the ship was at too great a
distance to afford them timely and necessary assistance in case of such
an event, and I adopted the milder method for that reason, and from a
persuasion that our business could be brought to a conclusion at less
risk and in less time by that means. The yawl was sent to Papara with
spare hands to bring back the launch which was wanted to water the ship,
and on the 29th the launch returned to the ship with James
Morrison,[33-1] Charles Norman, and Thomas Ellison, belonging to the
_Bounty_, and who had been made prisoners at Papara on the 7th April. The
companies returned with the detachment from Papara, and brought with them
the pirate schooner which they had taken there. The natives had deserted
the place, and I had information that the six remaining pirates had fled
to the mountains.
On the 5th I sent Lt. Hayward with 25 men in the schooner and yawl to
Papara, the old Otoo and several of the youths, &c., went with him. On
the 7th, in the morning, Lt. Corner was landed with 16 men at Point Venus
in order to march round the back of the mountains, in which the pirates
had retreated, to cooperate with the party sent to Papara. Orissia, the
Otoo's brother, and a party of natives went with him as guides and to
carry the provisions, &c.
On the 9th Lt. Hayward returned with the schooner and yawl and brought
with him Henry Hillbrant, Thomas M'Intosh, Thomas Burkitt, Jno.
Millward, Jno. Sumner and William Muspratt, the six remaining pirates
belonging to the _Bounty_. They had quitted the mountains and had got
down near the seashore when they were discovered by our party on the
opposite side of a river. They submitted, on being summoned to lay down
their arms. Lt. Corner with his party marched across the mountains to
Papara, and a boat was sent for them there, and they returned on board
again on the 13th in the afternoon. I put the pirates in the round house
which I built at the after part of the Quarter deck for their more
effectual security, airy and healthy situation, and to separate them
from, and to prevent their having any communication with, or to crowd and
incommode the ship's company.
Contrary to my expectations, the water we got at the usual place at Point
Venus turned out very bad, and on touching for better, most excellent
water was found issuing out of a rock in a little bay to the southward of
One Tree Hill. I mention this circumstance because it may be of
importance to be known to other ships that may hereafter touch at that
island.
The natives had in their possession a bower anchor belonging to the
_Bounty_, which that ship had left in the bay, and I took it on board the
_Pandora_, and made them a handsome present by way of salvage and as a
reward for their ingenuity in weighing it with materials so ill
calculated for the purpose. I learned from different people and from
journals kept on board the _Bounty_, which were found in the chests of
the pirates at Otaheite, that after Lt. Bligh and the people with him
were turned adrift in the launch, the pirates proceeded with the ship to
the Island of Toobouai in Latitude 20° 13' S. and Longitude 149° 35' W.,
where they anchored on the 25th May, 1789. Before their arrival there
they threw the greatest part of the bread fruit plants overboard, and the
property of the officers and people that were turned out of the ship was
divided amongst those who remained on board her, and the royals and some
other small sails were cut up and disposed of in the same manner.
Notwithstanding they met with some opposition from the natives, they
intended to settle on this island, but after some time they perceived
that they were in want of several things necessary for a settlement and
which was the cause of disagreements and quarrels amongst themselves. At
last they came to a resolution to come to Otaheite to get such of the
things wanted as could be procured there, and in consequence of that
resolution they sailed from Toobouai at the latter end of the month and
arrived at Otaheite on the 6th of June. The Otoo and other natives were
very inquisitive and desirous to know what was become of Lt. Bligh and
the other absentees and the bread fruit plants, &c. They deceived them by
saying that they had fallen in with Captain Cook at an island he had
lately discovered called "Why-Too-Tackee" [Aitutaki], and where he
intended to settle, and that the plants were landed and planted there,
and that Lt. Bligh and the other absentees were detained to assist
Captain Cook in the business he had in hand, and that he had appointed
Christian captain of the _Bounty_ and ordered him to Otaheite for an
additional supply of hogs, goats, fowls, bread fruit plants, &c.
These humane islanders were imposed upon by this artful story, and they
were so rejoiced to hear that their old friend Captain Cook was alive and
was near them that they used every means in their power to procure the
things that were wanted, so that in the course of a few days the _Bounty_
took on board 312 hogs, 38 goats, eight dozen fowls, a bull and a cow,
and a quantity of bread fruit plants, &c. They also took with them a
woman, eight men and seven boys. With these supplies they sailed from
Otaheite on the 19th June and arrived again at Toobouai on the 26th. They
landed the live stock on the quays that were near the harbour, lightened
the ship and warped her up the harbour into two fathoms water opposite to
the place where they intended to build the fort. On this occasion their
spare masts, yards and booms were got out and moored, but they afterwards
broke adrift and were lost.[36-1]
On the 19th July they began to build the fort. Its dimensions were 50
yards square. These villains had frequent quarrels amongst themselves
which at last were carried to such a length that no order was observed
amongst them, and by the 30th August the work at the fort was
discontinued. They had also almost continual disputes and skirmishes with
the natives, which were generally brought on by their own violence and
depredations. Christian, perceiving that he had lost his authority, and
that nothing more could be done, desired them to consult together and
consider what step would be the most advisable to take, and said that he
would put into execution the opinion that was supported by the most
votes. After long consultation it was at last determined that the scheme
of staying at Toobouai should be given up, and that the ship should be
taken to Otaheite, where those who chose to go on shore should be at
liberty to do so, and those who remained on the ship might take her away
to whatever place they should think fit.
In consequence of this final determination preparations were made for the
purpose and they sailed from Toobouai on the 15th and arrived at Matavy
Bay, Otaheite, on the 20th September 1789. The bull which they took from
Otaheite died on its passage to Toobouai, and they killed the cow before
they left that island, yet, notwithstanding this and the depredations
they committed there, the natives still derived considerable advantage
from their visits, as several hogs, goats, fowls and other things of
their introduction were left behind. These sixteen men mentioned before
were landed at Otaheite, viz.:--
Joseph Coleman [Armourer].[37-3]
Peter Heywood [Midshipman].[37-2]
George Stewart [Midshipman].[37-4]
Richard Skinner [A.B.].[37-4]
Michael Burn [A.B. Fiddler].[37-3]
James Morrison [Boatswain's Mate].[37-2]
Charles Norman [Carpenter's Mate].[37-3]
Thomas Ellison [A.B.].[37-1]
Henry Hillbrant [A.B.].[37-4]
John Sumner [A.B.].[37-4]
Thomas M'Intosh [Carpenter's Crew].[37-3]
William Muspratt [A.B.].[37-1]
Thomas Burkitt [A.B.].[37-1]
John Millward [A.B.].[37-1]
These fourteen were made prisoners by my people and Charles Churchill and
Matthew Thompson were murdered on that island. Previous to these people
being put on shore the small arms, powder, canvas and the small stores
belonging to the ship were equally divided amongst the whole crew. After
building the schooner six of these people actually sailed in her for the
East Indies, but meeting with bad weather and suspecting the abilities of
Morrison, whom they had chosen to be their captain to navigate her there,
they returned again to Otaheite on the night between the 21st and 22nd of
September 1789 and were seen in the morning to the N.W. of Point
Venus.[37-5]
Fletcher Christian, Edward Young, Matthew Quintall, William M'Koy,
Alexander Smith, John Williams, Isaac Martin, William Brown and John
Mills went away in the ship and they also took with them several natives
of these islands, both men and women, but I could not exactly learn their
numbers, only that they had on board a few more women than white men, a
deficiency of whom had formerly been one of their grievances and the
principal cause of their quarrels. Christian had been frequently heard to
declare that he would search for an unknown or uninhabited island in
which there was no harbour for shipping, would run the ship ashore and
get from her such things as would be useful to him and settle there, but
this information was too vague to be followed in an immense ocean strewed
with an almost innumerable number of known and unknown islands; therefore
after the ship was caulked, which I found was necessary to be done, the
rigging overhauled and in other respects refitted her for sea, and fitted
the pirates' schooner as a tender, and put on board two petty
officers[38-1] and seven men to navigate her, conceiving she would be of
considerable use in covering the boats in my future search for the
_Bounty_, as well as for reconnoitring the passage through the reef
leading to Endeavour Straits; I sailed from Otaheite on the 8th of May
with a view to put the remainder of my orders into execution.
Oediddee was desirous to go in the _Pandora_ to Ulietia and to Bolabola,
and as I thought he would be useful as a guide for the boats I took him
with me and steered for Huahaine which we saw the next morning. The
tender and the boats were employed the 9th and part of the 10th in
examining the harbours, and Oediddee went with them as pilot. Several
chiefs came on board and brought with them hogs and other articles, the
produce of the island, and a servant of Omai also came on board, and said
that he was not then much the better for his master's riches, however his
former connections was the cause of his visit to the ship being made very
profitable to him, and all the chiefs and their attendances received
presents from me. Two of the chiefs of this island were desirous to go in
the ship to Ulietia and I had given them leave to, but when the ship was
about to make sail they suddenly changed their minds and went on shore
and took Oediddee with them. Oediddee promised to follow us there the
next day, but we did not see him again.
I proceeded to Ulietea Otaka and Bolabola, and the tender and boats were
employed in examining the bays and harbours of these islands, but we got
no intelligence of the _Bounty_ or her people. Tahatoo, who called
himself king of Bolabola, informed me that he had been a few days before
at Tubai, which is a small, low island situated on the Northward of
Bolabola and under its jurisdiction, and that there were no white men
upon that island, nor upon Maurua, another island in sight of it and to
the westward of Bolabola. He also mentioned another island which I
thought he called Mojeshah, but we know no such island unless it be
Howe's Island, and that seems to be situated too far to the South and to
the West for the island he attempted to describe and point out to us. The
chiefs and several other people came on board from these islands and
brought with them the usual produce, and they were at all the isles very
pressing to prevail upon us to make a longer stay with them, but as I had
no object particularly in view and my people in good health, I did not
think it proper unnecessarily to waste my time for the sake of procuring
a few articles that were in greater abundance in these islands than at
Otaheite. I made presents to all those chiefs as it was my custom to do
to everyone that had the least pretension to pre-eminence, and to all the
people who came on board in the first boat.
After leaving Bolabola I steered for Maurua and passed it at a small
distance. Howe's Island was not seen by us as it is a low island and we
passed to the Southward of it. I then shaped my course to get into the
latitude of and to fall in to the Eastward of Why-to-tackee [Aitutaki].
On the 14th, Henry Hillbrant, one of the pirates, gave information that
Christian had declared to him the evening before he left Otaheite that he
intended to go with the _Bounty_ to an uninhabited island discovered by
Mr. Byron, situated to the Westward of the Isles of Danger, which, from
description of the situation, I found to be the island called by Mr.
Byron "The Duke of York's Island,"[40-1] and if they could land, would
settle there and run the ship upon the reef and destroy her, and if they
could not land, or if on examination found it would not answer their
purpose, he would look out for some other uninhabited island. However, I
continued my course for Why-to-tackee, being now determined to examine
the island in preference to following any intelligence, however
plausible, and on the morning of the 19th saw the Island of Why-to-tackee
[Aitutaki],[40-2] and sent the tender in shore to ground and look out for
a harbour.
At noon sent Lt. Hayward in the yawl to look into a place on the N.W.
part of the island that had the appearance of a harbour and to get
intelligence of the natives. In the evening he returned. The place was so
far from being fit for the reception of the ship that he could scarcely
find a passage through the reef for the boat; he conversed with seven or
eight different sets of people, whom he met with in canoes, and they all
agreed that the _Bounty_ was not, nor had not been there since Lt. Bligh
left the island, nor did any of them known anything of her. Lt. Hayward
recollected one of the natives, whom he remembered to have seen on board
the _Bounty_ when he discovered the island, and he saw another savage
belonging to a neighbouring island who knew Captain Cook and inquired
after him, Omai and Oediddee, whom he said he had seen.
These people at first approached the boat with caution, and could not be
prevailed upon to come on board the ship. As I was convinced that the
_Bounty_ was not on this island, and as Hervey's, Mangea and Wattea
Islands to the S.E. of Why-to-tackee were inhabited, I did not think it
probable that Christian, in the weak state the ship was in, would attempt
to settle upon either of them, and as there was some plausibility in the
information given me by Hillbrant the prisoner, and as the Duke of York's
Island seemed to answer the description of such an island as Christian
had been heard by others to declare he would search for to settle on, it
being by Mr. Byron's account uninhabited, and with a harbour; and as the
fact that it was out of the known track of ships in these seas since our
acquaintance with the Society Islands, made it still more eligible for
his purpose; from these united circumstances I thought it was probable he
might make choice of the Duke of York's Island for his intended
settlement. I therefore determined to proceed to that island, taking
Palmerston's island in my way thither, as it also answered in all
respects, except situation, to the description of the other; and at night
I bore away and made sail for Palmerston's Island, and made that on the
21st in the afternoon.[42-1]
On the 22nd in the morning sent the schooner tender and cutter in shore
to look for the harbours or anchorage, and soon after Lt. Corner was sent
in the yawl for the same purpose and to look out for the _Bounty_ and her
people. At noon, perceiving the schooner and cutter had got round the
Northernmost island, I stood round the S.E. island with the ship in
order to join the yawl that was at a grapnel off that island, and sent
the other yawl to join Lt. Corner. At 4 the two yawls returned with a
quantity of cocoanuts and Lt. Corner also returned on board. Soon after,
Lt. Hayward was sent on shore in the yawl to examine the S.W. island.
After dark we burnt several false fires as signals to the boat, but the
weather being thick and squally she did not return till the morning of
the 23rd, but the tender joined us that night and informed me that she
had found a yard on the island marked "Bounty's Driver Yard" and other
circumstances that indicated that the _Bounty_ was, or had been there.
The tender was immediately sent on shore after the yawl.
On the 23rd provisions, ammunition, &c., was sent on board the
tender,[43-1] and Lt. Corner with a party of men were sent with the yawl
and tender to land on the Northernmost island. At 4 in the afternoon,
perceiving that the schooner tender had anchored under that island the
yawl landing the party on the reef leading to it, Lt. Corner had orders
to examine that and the Easternmost island very minutely to see if any
other traces besides the yard could be made out of the _Bounty_ or her
people.
On the 24th in the morning sent the cutter on board the tender for
intelligence, but she did not return till nearly 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, when she brought with her seven men of Lt. Corner's party. She
was sent on board the tender again with orders for the remainder of the
party that was returned from the search to be brought on board the
_Pandora_ in the yawl, and for the cutter to remain on board the tender
to embark Lt. Corner when he returned, the midshipman having represented
that she answered the purpose of landing and embarking better than the
larger boat from the particular circumstances of the landing place; and I
stood over for the S.W. island to take on board the other yawl which had
been sent to ground near the reef of that island and to procure from it
some cocoanuts, &c.
At 5 the yawl came on board, and I then stood towards the schooner in
order to take the other yawl on board, but the weather became squally
with rain and I stood out to sea. During the night the weather was
rougher than usual, with an ugly sea and I did not get close in with them
again till the 28th at noon, soon after which the yawl came on board from
the schooner and informed us to my great astonishment and concern that
the cutter had not been on board her since she left the ship.[44-1] The
tender was ordered to run down by the side of the reef and if the cutter
was not seen there to run out to sea six leagues and to steer about
W.N.W.-W., it being the opposite point to that on which the wind blew
from the preceding night, and I waited with the ship to take on board Lt.
Corner who was not then returned from the search. He soon after appeared
and was taken on board.
In his search he found a double canoe curiously painted, and different in
make from those we had seen on the islands we had visited. A piece of
wood burnt half through was also found. The yard and these things lay
upon the beach at high water mark and were all eaten by the sea worm,
which is a strong presumption they were drifted there by the waves. The
driver yard was probably drove from Toobouai where the _Bounty_ lost the
greater part of her spars, and as no recent traces could be found on the
island of a human being or any part of the wreck of a ship I gave up all
further search and hopes of finding the _Bounty_ or her people there. I
then stood out to sea and the ship and the tender cruized about in search
of the cutter until the 29th in the morning, when seeing nothing of her,
I being at that time well in with the land, sent on shore once more to
examine the reef and beach of the northernmost island, but with no better
success than before, as neither the cutter or any article belonging to
her could be found there.
I then steered for the Duke of York's island which we got sight of at
noon on the 6th June, and in the afternoon the tender and two yawls were
sent on shore to examine the coast. On the 7th in the morning Lt. Corner
and Hayward were sent on shore with a party of men attended by the
schooner and two yawls. We soon after saw some huts upon the island and
so made a signal to the boats to warn them of danger, and for them to be
upon their guard against surprise. They landed and got canoes to the
within side of the lagoon in which they made a circuit of it. A few
houses were found in examining the hills on the opposite side of the
lagoon, and also a ship's large wooden buoy, which appeared to be of
foreign make, and had evident marks of its having been long in the water.
As Mr. Byron describes the Duke of York's island to be without
inhabitants, the sight of the houses and ship's buoy, before they were
minutely examined wrot so strongly on the minds of the people that they
saw many things in imagination that did not exist, but all tended to
persuade them that the _Bounty's_ people were really upon the island
agreeable to the intelligence given by Hillbrant, but after a most minute
and repeated search, no human being of any description could be found
upon the island. There were a number of canoes, spare paddles, fishing
gear, and a variety of other things found in the houses which seemed to
prove that it was an occasional residence and fishery of the natives of
some neighbouring islands.[46-1]
There is so great a difference in the situation of this island as laid
down in the charts of Hawkesworth's collection of voyages and also some
others from that of Captain Cook that there may be some doubt about its
real situation. I followed that of Captain Cook, yet the situation of
this island by our account did not exactly agree with him. He lays it
down in Latitude 8° 41' S. and Longitude 173° 3' W., and the centre of
the island by our account lies Latitude 8° 34' S. and Longitude by
observation 172° 6', and by timekeeper 172° 39' W. By our estimation this
island is not so large as it is by Mr. Byron's. In other respects, except
the houses, it answers his description very well. I should have stood off
to the westward to have seen if there were any other islands in that
direction, but I was apprehensive by so doing that I might have much
difficulty in fetching the island I had then to visit, and as the wind
was favourable to stand to the Southward when I left the island, I
therefore satisfied myself in passing to the westward of it and
stretching to the northward so far as to know there was no island within
thirty miles of it on that point of the compass, and also to pass to the
windward of the island when I put about and stood to the northward.
In standing to the Northward I discovered an island on the 12th
June.[46-2] We soon perceived that it was a lagoon island, formed by a
great many small islands connected together by a reef of rocks, forming a
circle round the lagoon in its centre. It is low, but well wooded,
amongst which the cocoanut tree is conspicuous both for its height and
peculiar form. As we approached the land we saw several natives on the
beach. Lt. Hayward was sent with the tender and yawl in shore to
reconnoitre and to endeavour to converse with the natives, and if
possible to bring about a friendly intercourse with them. They made signs
of friendship and beckoned him to come on shore, yet, whenever he drew
near with the boat, they always retired, and he could not prevail on them
to come to her; and the surf was thought too great to venture to land, at
least before the friendship of the natives was better confirmed.
We soon afterwards saw several sailing canoes with stages in their
middle, sailing across the lagoon for the opposite islands, but whether
it was a flight, or that they were only going a-fishing, or on some other
business, we were at that time at a loss to know. Lt. Corner was sent to
look for a better landing place, and, thinking that there was the
appearance of an opening into the lagoon round the N.W. island, I stood
that way with the ship to take a view of it but found that it was also
barred in that part by a reef. Better landing places were found, but they
were to leeward and at a considerable distance from the place that seemed
to be the principal residence of the natives.
The next morning Lt. Corner and Hayward landed with a strong party near
the houses, which they found deserted by the natives, and they had taken
with them all the canoes except one. It appeared exactly to resemble
those we had seen at the Duke of York's island. The houses, fishing gear
and utensils were also similar to those seen there, which made me suppose
that these were the people who occasionally visited that island, but this
had the appearance of being the principal residence as Morais, or burying
places, were found at this, but none at the former.
I was very desirous to get into communication with these people, as I
thought we might possibly get some useful information relative to the
buoy we had seen at the Duke of York's island, or about the _Bounty_ had
she touched at either of these islands, or at any others in their
neighbourhood. With that view I left in and about the houses hatchets,
knives, glasses and a variety of things that I thought would be useful or
pleasing to them, and also to show them that we were disposed to be
friendly to them, and by that means I hoped they would become less shy,
and that our intercourse with them would be brought about; and I stood
round the northernmost island to visit other parts of the island, and on
the 14th in the morning Lt. Corner was sent on shore with the tender,
yawl and canoe, and he landed to the eastward of the northernmost island
and marched round to the northeast extremity of the islands: he perceived
marks of bare feet of the natives in different parts, but more
particularly about the cocoanut trees, most of which were stripped of
their fruit, but not a single person or canoe could be found. He embarked
again at that part of the isles with great difficulty by the assistance
of cork jackets and rope and the canoe. I supposed that the natives had
left the island and I bore away to join the tender that had been sent to
search for a channel into the lagoon near the northernmost isle; and
after joining her I went once more towards the place we had first
examined, and seeing no natives or any signs of them there I gave up the
search.
On the 15th stood to the southward for Navigators' islands. I called the
island the Duke of Clarence's Island. It lies in Latitude 9° 9' 30" and
Longitude 171° 30' 46".[48-1] From the abundance of cocoanut trees both
on this and the Duke of York's island, in the trunks of which holes were
cut transversely to catch and preserve water, and as no other water was
seen by us we supposed it was the only means they had of procuring that
useful and necessary article. On the 18th in the forenoon we saw a very
high island and as I supposed it to be a new discovery I called it
Chatham island,[49-1] and standing in for it, I perceived a Bay towards
the N.E. end and I made a tack to endeavour to look into it. Perceiving
that I could not accomplish my intentions before night I bore away and
ran along the shore and sent the tender to reconnoitre, and found,
opposite to a sandy beach where there was an Indian town, she got 25
fathoms about a quarter of a mile from the reef, which runs off the place
and carries soundings of sand regularly in to 5 fathoms.
In the morning a boat was sent to ground in an opening in the reef before
the town, in which 3 fathoms of water was found, and 2½ fathoms within
it. This harbour is situated on the North side near the middle, but
rather nearest to the West end.[49-2] We were told that there was a river
there, and another or two between it and the South end. We then ran round
the West to the S.W. end of the island and in the bay there 25 fathoms of
water was found, the bottom rather foul and bad landing for a ship's
boat. The natives said there was another, but the boat being called on
board by signal she did not dare to examine into the truth of their
report. We found here a native of the Friendly Islands, who called
himself Fenow, and a relation of the chief of that name of
Tongataboo.[49-3] Fenow said he had seen Captain Cook and English ships
at the Friendly Islands, and that the natives of this island had never
seen a ship before they saw the _Pandora_. The island is more than 30
miles long. A high mountain [4000 feet] extends almost from one extremity
to the other, which tapers down gradually at the ends and sides to the
sea where it generally terminates in perpendicular cliffs of moderate
height, except in a few places where there is a white beach of coral
sand. The natives called the island Otewhy;[50-1] latitude of
Northernmost point 13° 27' 48" S. Longitude 172° 32' 13" W. South Point
Latitude 13° 46' 18" S., Longitude 172° 18' 20" W., and East point in
Latitude 13° 32' 20" S. and Longitude 172° 2' W.
On the 21st we saw another island[50-2] about 4 leagues to the Eastward
of this, and there are two small islands between them, a small one in the
middle and four off its East end, three of which are of considerable
height. There is a greater variety of mountains and valleys in this than
in Chatham's and it is exceedingly well wooded, and the trees of enormous
size grow upon the very summits of the mountains with spreading heads
resembling the oak. The same sort of trees were also seen in the same
situation at Chatham, but not in so great abundance. This island is near
forty miles long and of considerable breadth. The natives called it
Oattooah.[50-3] Their canoes (although not so well finished), language
and some of their customs much resemble those of the Friendly Islands,
but they have some peculiar to themselves--that of dyeing their skins
yellow and which is a mark of distinction amongst them is one of
them.[50-4] The Latitude of the West point is 13° 52' 25" S. and
Longitude 171° 49' 13" W. and the S.E. part in Latitude 14° 3' 30" S.
and Longitude 171° 12' 50" W. As this island by our account was
considerably to the Westward of the Navigators' islands, we at first
supposed it to be a new discovery, but in visiting the other of the
Navigators' islands discovered by Mons. Bougainville and running down
again upon this we had reason to suppose that the S.E. end of Oattooah
had been seen by him at a distance, and that it was the last island of
the group that he saw.[51-1]
Between five and six o'clock of the evening of the 22nd June lost sight
of our tender in a thick shower of rain. Some thought that they saw her
light again at eight o'clock, but in the morning she was not to be seen.
We cruised about for her in sight of the island on the 23rd and 24th and
as I could not find the tender near the place where she was first lost, I
thought it better to make the best of my way to Annamooka, the place
appointed as a last rendezvous and to endeavour to get there before her,
lest her small force should be a temptation to the natives to attack her,
and accordingly we stood to the Southward.[51-2] When we were to the
Eastward of Oattooah we saw another island bearing from us about E.S.E.
eight leagues. We afterwards knew that this was one of the Navigators'
islands seen by Mons. Bougainville. On the morning of the 28th we saw the
Happy [Haapai] islands, and before noon a group of islands to the
Eastward of Annamooka. We passed round to the Southward of these islands
and ran down between little Annamooka and the Fallafagee isles and on the
29th anchored in Annamooka Road.
Whilst we were watering the ship, &c. I sent Lt. Hayward to the Happy
[Haapai] Islands in a double canoe, which I hired of Tooboo a chief of
these islands for the purpose of examining them and to make inquiries
after the _Bounty_ and the tender, but no intelligence could be got of
either of these vessels at these two islands, nor at either of the Happy
islands, and having completed our water and got a plentiful supply of
yams and a few hogs, we sailed from thence on the 10th July. The natives
were very daring in their thefts, but some of the articles stolen were
recovered again by the chiefs, yet many of them were entirely lost, and
as I did not think it proper to carry things to extremities on that
occasion for fear that too much rigour might operate to the disadvantage
of the tender should she arrive at the island in our absence, which I
told them I expected she would do, and that I intended to return with the
ship in about 20 days, and I left a letter of instructions for the tender
with Moukahkahlah, a resident chief, which he promised to deliver. He is
not the superior chief, but we found him most useful to us and I thought
him the most worthy of trust.
Whilst we were at Annamooka, Fattahfahe [Fatafehi][52-1] the chief of all
the islands, and who generally resides at Tongataboo or Amsterdam
Island, came to visit us, as did also a great number of the chiefs from
the adjacent islands and to all of whom I gave presents and also to such
of their friends and attendances that were introduced for the purpose of
receiving favours. A person called Toobou was the principal person in
authority at Annamooka when we arrived there. I learned that he belonged
to Tongataboo, and had little property on the island he governed, and I
supposed that he was a deputy or minister of Fattahfahe who is generally
acknowledged to be the superior chief of all the islands known under the
names of the Friendly, Happy, and also of many other islands unknown to
us. Fattahfahe and Toobou were on board the _Pandora_ when she got under
way, attended by two large double sailing canoes, the largest of which
had upwards of 40 persons on board. I suppose that they came on board to
take leave and in expectation of getting some additional farewell
presents, in which they were not disappointed.
I knew that Fattahfahe was shortly going to make a tour of the Happy
Islands, and as I perceived that he was exceedingly well pleased with
what I had given him, and with his situation and accommodation on board
the ship, I invited him to come with us to Toofoa [Tofoa] and Kaho [Kao],
two islands I was then steering for and that I intended to visit, as I
thought he would be useful by procuring us a favourable landing at
Toofoa, the island whose inhabitants had behaved so treacherously to Lt.
Bligh when he put in there for refreshments in the _Bounty's_ launch.
Before the sun set we got within a small distance of the island, but it
was too late for our boats to go on shore, and the canoes were sent to
the islands to announce the arrival of these great chiefs; their coming
in the ship I made no doubt would increase their consequence, and
probably also the tribute they might think proper to impose on their
subjects.
The next morning Lt. Corner, attended by the two chiefs, was sent on
shore at Toofoa to search and to make the necessary inquiries after the
_Bounty_ and our tender, &c. and then to cross the channel which is about
three or four miles over, and to do the same at Kaho, and when I saw the
boat put off from Toofoa and stand over for the other island I bore away
with the ship and ran through the channel between the two islands. At
four in the afternoon Lt. Corner, Fattahfahe and Toobou, returned on
board without success in their search and inquiries. The two chiefs were
put on board their canoes, and they made sail for the Happy
Islands.[54-1]
I now intended to have visited Tongataboo and the other of the Friendly
Islands, but, as the wind was Southerly and unfavourable for the purpose,
I took the resolution once more to visit Oattooah, and also the
Navigators' Islands in search of the _Bounty_ and our tender and to
endeavour to fall in to the eastward of those islands. On the morning of
the 12th we discovered a cluster of islands bearing from us W. by S. to
N.W. by N., but as the wind was favourable for us to proceed I did not
think it proper to lose time in examining them now, but intended to do it
on my return to the Friendly Islands.[55-1]
On the 14th, in the forenoon, we saw three islands, which we supposed to
be the three first islands seen by Mons. Bougainville and part of the
cluster called by him "Navigators' Islands," the largest of these islands
the natives called Toomahnuah.[55-2] We passed them at a convenient
distance and several canoes came towards the ship, and it was with great
difficulty that we prevailed on them to come alongside, and still greater
difficulty to get them into the ship. They brought very few things in
their canoes except cocoanuts, which I bought, and then gave them a few
things as presents before they left the ship, and after making the
necessary inquiries as far as our limited knowledge of the language would
permit us, I proceeded to the Westward and before daylight on the morning
of the 15th we saw another island. We ran down on the North side of it
and brought to occasionally to find and take on board canoes.
We found the same shyness amongst the natives here as at the last
islands, but a few presents being given to them they at last ventured on
board. The island is called by them Otootooillah.[55-3] It is at least 5
leagues long; we supposed it to be another of the islands seen by Mons.
Bougainville. We got soundings in 53 fathoms water, and the depth
decreased as we stood in shore, and there is probable anchorage on this
side of the island sheltered from the prevailing winds, but we did not
see the reef mentioned by Mons. Bougainville to run two leagues from the
West end.
After making inquiries after the _Bounty_ and tender and making presents
to our visitors, we steered to the Westward, inclining to the North and
before night saw Oattooa, bearing W.N.W. The South East end of this
island was also probably seen by Mons. Bougainville, but by his
description he could only have had a distant and a very imperfect view of
the island. On the 16th we ran down on the South side of it, almost to
the West end, and had frequent communication with the natives, but could
get no information relative either to the _Bounty_ or our tender. We saw
a few of the natives with blue, mulberry and other coloured beads about
their necks, and we understood that they got them from Cook at
Tongataboo, one of the Friendly Islands. Having finished my business
here, I stood to the Southward with the intention of visiting the group
of islands we had discovered on our way hither, and we got sight of them
again in the afternoon of the 18th.[56-1]
On the 19th, in the morning we ran down on the North side until we came
to an opening through which we could see the sea on the opposite side,
and a kind of sound is formed by some islands to the North East and some
islands of considerable size to the South West, and in the intermediate
space there are several small islands and rocks. On the larboard hand of
the North entrance there is a shoal, on which the sea appears to break
although there is from ten to twelve fathoms of water upon it. In the
other part of the entrance there is forty fathoms of water or more. Our
boat had only time to examine the entrance and the larboard side of the
sound, in which there are interior bays where about 30 fathoms of water
is to be found within a cables length of the shore. The branches of the
sound on the starboard side, and which are yet unexamined, appear to
promise better anchorage than was found on the opposite shore, and should
it turn out so, it will be by far the safest and best anchorage hitherto
known amongst the Friendly Islands.[57-1]
The natives told us there was good water at several places within the
sound, and there is plenty of wood. Several of the inferior chiefs were
on board us, amongst whom were one of Fattahfahe's and one of Toobou's
family, but the principal chief of the island was not on board, but we
supposed he was coming at the time we made sail.[57-2] They brought on
board yams, cocoanuts, some bread fruit, and a few hogs and fowls, and
would have supplied us with more hogs had it been convenient for us to
have made a longer stay with them, and which they entreated us much to
do. We found them very fair in their dealings, very inoffensive and
better behaved than any savages we had yet seen.
They have frequent communication with Annamooka and the other Friendly
Islands, and their customs and language appear to be nearly the same. I
called the whole group Howe's Islands. The islands on the larboard side
of the North entrance I distinguished by the names of Barrington[58-1]
and Sawyer, two to the starboard side with the names of Hotham[58-2] and
Jarvis.[58-3] A high island a considerable way to the North West I called
Gardener's island,[58-4] and another high island to the South West was
called Bickerton's island.[58-5] There is a small high isle about four
miles to the S.W. of this, and a small low island about five or six miles
to the S.E. by E. of Gardener's island,[58-6] and several islands to the
S.E. of the islands forming the sound and too several small islands
within it to which no names were given.
On the 20th at two in the morning, we passed within two miles of the
small island that lies to the S.E. from Gardener's island, and soon after
saw Gardener's island, on the N.W. side of which there appeared to be
tolerable good landing on shingle beach, and a little to the right of
this place, at the upper edge of the cliffs is a volcano, from which we
observed the smoke issuing. There are recent marks of convulsion having
happened in the island. Some parts of it appear to have fallen in, and
other parts to be turned upside down. This part of the island is the most
barren land we have seen in the country.[58-7] At nine o'clock thought
we saw a large island bearing N. by W. and I made sail towards it, and as
the weather was hazy we did not discover our mistake till near noon, when
I hauled the wind to the Southward. On the 23rd saw an island from the
masthead which I suppose was one of the Pylstaart islands.[59-1] On the
26th in the morning saw the island of Middleburgh and on the 27th ran in
between Middleburgh, Eooa and Tongataboo.
Several canoes came on board us from the different islands. We were then
within half a mile of the last, and equally near to the shoals of the
second, but not so near to Middleburgh, yet we were near enough to see
into English Road. At these islands we could neither see nor get any
satisfactory information relative to the objects of our search. The
natives brought in their canoes, yams, cocoanuts and a few small hogs,
and I made no doubt that I should have been able to procure plenty of
these articles had it been convenient for me to have stayed at these
islands. The difficulty in getting in and out of the harbour and the
indifferent quality of the water were alone sufficient objections against
my stopping here. The road at Annamooka was more convenient for getting
out and in, and the water, although not of the best quality, is reported
to be better than that found at Amsterdam [Tongatabu], and Annamooka
being the place I had appointed as a rendezvous for the tender I did not
hesitate in giving the preference to it, and accordingly made the best of
my way thither, and we saw the Fallafagee islands (which lie near
Annamooka) [Kotu Group?] before dark, and also Toofoa, Kaho and Hoonga
Tonga islands to the Westward, which are visible at a greater distance.
On the 28th July anchored in Annamooka Road. The person who now had the
principal authority on the shore was a young chief whom we had not seen
before. There was the same respect paid to him as was paid to Fattahfahe
and to Toobou; neither of these chiefs nor Moukahkahlah were now in the
islands, and the natives were now more daring in their thefts than ever,
and would sometimes endeavour to take things by force, and robbed and
stripped some of our people that were separated from the party. Lt.
Corner, who commanded the watering and wooding parties on shore, received
a blow on the head and was robbed of a curiosity he had bought and held
in his hand, and with which the thief was making off. Lt. Corner shot the
thief in the back, and he fell to the ground; at the same instant the
natives attempted to take axes and a saw from the wooding party, and
actually got off with two axes, one by force and the other by stealth,
but they did not succeed in getting the saw. Two muskets were fired at
the thieves, yet it was supposed that they were not hurt, but we are told
that the other man died of his wound. One of the yawls was on shore at
the time, and the long boat was landing near her with an empty cask. Lt.
Corner drew the wooding and watering parties towards the boats and then
began to load them with the wood that was cut.
A boat was sent from the ship to inquire the cause of the firing that was
heard, but before she returned a canoe came from the shore to inform the
principal chief (whom I had brought on board to dine with me) that one of
the natives had been killed by our people. The chief was very much
agitated at the information, and wanted to get out of the cabin windows
into the canoe, but I would not suffer him to do it and told him I would
go on shore with him myself in a little time in one of the ship's boats.
Our boat soon returned and gave me an account of what had passed on
shore. I told the chief that the Lieutenant had been struck, and that he
and his party had been robbed of several things, and that I was very glad
that the thief had been shot, and that I should shoot every person who
attempted to rob us, but that no other person except the thief should be
hurt by us on that account. The axes and some other things that had been
stolen before were returned and very few robbings of any consequence were
attempted and discovered until the day of our departure.
I took this opportunity of showing the chief what execution the cannon
and carronades would do by firing a six-pound shot on shore and an
eighteen-pounder carronade loaded with grape shot into the sea. I
afterwards went on shore with two boats and took with me the chief and
his attendants, and before I returned on board again told him that I
should send on shore the next morning for water and wood, and that I
should also come on shore myself in the course of the day, all which he
approved of and desired me to do, and accordingly the next morning, the
31st July the watering and wooding parties were sent on shore and carried
on their business without interruption, and in the afternoon I went on
shore myself and made a small present to the chief and to some other
people.
On the 2nd August, having completed my water, &c. and thinking it time to
return to England I did not think proper to wait any longer for the
tender, but left instructions for her commander should she happen to
arrive after my departure, and I sailed from Annamooka, attended by a
number of chiefs and canoes belonging to those and the surrounding
islands. After the ship was under way some of the natives had the address
to get in at the cabin windows and stole out of the cabin some books and
other things, and they had actually got into their canoes before they
were discovered. The thieves were allowed to make their escape, but the
canoes that had stolen these things were brought alongside and broke up
for firewood. During this transaction the other natives carried on their
traffic alongside with as much unconcern as if nothing had happened.
I made farewell presents to all the chiefs and to many others of
different descriptions, and after hauling round Annamooka shoals, passed
to the Eastward of Toofoa and Kaho, and in the morning saw Bickerton's
island and the small island to the Southward of it. On the 4th, in the
evening, saw land bearing N.N.W. At first we took it to be Keppel's and
Boscowen's islands, which I intended to visit, and by account was only a
few miles to the Westward of them. As we approached the land we perceived
that it was only one island, and as I supposed that it was a new
discovery I called it Proby's island.[62-1] The hills, of which there
are a great many of different heights and forms, are planted with
cocoanuts and other trees, and the houses of a larger size than we had
usually seen on the islands in these seas; were on the tops of hills of
moderate height. We passed from S.E. end to the East, round to the North
and N.W.
Landing appeared to be very indifferent until we came near the N.W.,
where the land formed itself into a kind of bay, and where the landing
appeared to be better. The natives brought on board cocoanuts and
plantains, all of which I bought, and made them a present of a few
articles of iron. They told us that they had water, hogs, fowls and yams
on shore and plenty of wood. They spoke nearly the same language as at
the Friendly Islands. It lies in latitude 15° 53' S. and longitude 175°
51' W. I was now convinced that I was rather further to the Westward than
I expected, and examining the island had carried me still further that
way. I therefore gave up my intention of visiting Boscowen's and Keppel's
islands,[63-1] as the regaining the Easting necessary would take up more
time than would be prudent to allow at this advanced time of the season,
and as soon as I had made the necessary inquiries, &c., after the
_Bounty_, &c., our course was shaped with a view to fall in to the
Eastward of Wallis' Island,[63-2] and the next day, the 5th, a little
before noon saw that island bearing West by South, estimated by the
master at ten leagues, but I did not myself suppose it to be more than
seven leagues from us at that time.
Canoes came off to us and brought us cocoanuts and fish, which they sold
for nails, and I also made them a present of some small articles which I
always made a rule to do to first adventurers, hoping that it might turn
out advantageous to future visitors, but they went away before I had
given them all I intended. They told us that there was running water,
hogs and fowls on shore. They spoke the language of the Friendly Islands,
and I observed that one of the men had both of his little fingers cut
off, and the flesh over his cheekbones very much bruised after the manner
of the natives of those islands.[64-1]
In the evening I bore away and made sail to the Westward intending to run
between Espiritu Santo and Santa Cruz, and to keep between the tracks of
Captain Carteret and Lt. Bligh, and on the 8th at 10 at night saw land
bearing from the W. by S. We had no ground at 110 fathoms. At daylight I
bore away and passed round the East end and ran down on the South side of
the island. There is a white beach on these parts of the island on which
there appears to be tolerable good landing, or better than is usually
seen on the islands in these seas, and there is probably anchorage in
different places on this side or under the small islands, of which there
are several near the principal island, but as I did not hoist out the
boats to sound that still remains a doubt.
There are cocoanut trees all along the shore behind the beach, and an
uncommon number of boughs amongst them. The island is rather high,
diversified with hills of different forms, some of which might obtain the
name of mountain, but they are cultivated up to their very summits with
cocoanut trees and other articles, and the island is in general as well
or better cultivated and its inhabitants more numerous for its size than
any of the islands we have hitherto seen. The principal island is about 7
miles long and three or four broad, but including the islands off its
East and West ends, and which latter are joined to it by a reef, it is
about ten miles long. I called it Grenville Island [Rotuma], supposing it
to be a new discovery. Its latitude is 12° 29' and longitude 183° 03' W.
A great number of paddling canoes came off and viewed the ship at a
distance, and I believed that their intentions were at first hostile.
They were all armed with clubs and they had a great quantity of stones in
their canoes which they use in battle, and they all occasionally joined
in a kind of war-whoop. We made signs of peace, and offered them a
variety of toys which drew them alongside, and then into the ship where
they behaved very quietly; probably the unexpected presents they got from
us, and our number and strength might operate in favour of peace.
However, they seemed to have the same propensity to thieving as the
natives of the other islands, and gave us many, some of which ludicrous,
examples.
Although at so great a distance they said that they were acquainted with
the Friendly islands, and had learned from them the use of iron.[65-1]
They were tattooed in a different manner from the natives of the other
islands we had visited, having the figure of a fish, birds and a variety
of other things marked upon their arms. Their canoes were not so
delicately formed nor so well finished as at the Friendly islands, but
more resemble those of the Duke of York's, the Duke of Clarence's and the
Navigators' islands. Neither sailing or double canoes came on board,
neither did we see any of either of these descriptions. They told us that
water and many other useful things, the usual produce of the islands in
these seas, could be procured on shore.
Their language appeared something to resemble that spoken at the Friendly
islands, and after asking them such questions as we thought necessary,
some of which probably were not understood perfectly by them, or their
answers by us, we made sail and continued our course to the Westward. No
women were seen in the canoes that visited us, which curiosity or the
hope of getting some pleasing toys usually bring to our side, but this is
another proof that their original intentions were hostile. We passed the
island in so short a time that those who neglected to come out at our
first appearance had not afterwards the opportunity to visit us.
On the 11th at eleven o'clock in the morning we struck soundings on a
bank in twelve to fourteen fathoms water and at ten minutes after eleven
had no ground in one hundred and forty fathoms. No land was then in
sight, nor did we get any soundings after in the course of the day. It
was called Pandora's Bank, its Latitude 12° 11' S. and Longitude 188° 68'
W.
On the next morning saw a small island which met in two high hummocks and
a steeple rock which lies high on the West side of the hummocks. It
obtained the name of Mitre Island. The shore appeared to be steep to, and
we had no bottom at 120 fathoms within three quarters of a mile of the
shore. There was no landing place or sign of inhabitants. The tops of the
hills were covered with wood. There was also some on the sides, but not
in so great an abundance they being too steep and too bare of soil in
some places to support it. Latitude 11° 49' S. and Longitude 190° 04'
30" W.[67-1]
By nine o'clock we had passed it and steered to the Westward, and soon
afterwards we saw another island bearing N.W. by N. We hauled up to the
N.W. to make it out more distinctly as it is of considerable height, yet
not much more than a mile long, and the top and the side of the hills
very well cultivated and a number of houses were seen near the beach in a
bay on the South side of the island. The beach from the East round to the
South of the West end is of white sand, but there was then too much surf
for the ship's boat to land upon it with safety. I called it Cherry's
Island [Native name: Anula]. Its Latitude is 11° 37' S. and Longitude
190° 19' 30" W.[67-2]
On the 13th August a little before noon we saw an island bearing about
N.W. by N. In general it is high, but to the West and North West the
mountain tapered down to a round point of moderate height. It abounds
with wood, even the summits of the mountain are covered with trees. In
the S.E. end there was the appearance of a harbour, and from that place
the reef runs along the South side to the Westernmost extremity. In some
places its distance is not much more than a mile from the shore, in other
places it is considerably more. Although we were sometimes within less
than a mile of the reef we saw neither house nor people. The haziness of
the weather prevented us from seeing objects distinctly, yet we saw smoke
very plain, from which it may be presumed that the island is inhabited.
It is six or seven leagues long and of considerable breadth. I called it
Pitt's Island. Its Latitude is 11° 50' 30" S. South point, and Longitude
193° 14' 15" W.[68-1]
At midnight between the 16th and 17th of August breakers were discovered
ahead and upon our bow, and not a mile from us. We were lying to and
heaving the lead at the time and had no ground at 120 fathoms. We wore
the ship and stood from them and in less than an hour after more breakers
were seen extending more than a point before our lee beam, but we made
more sail and so got clear of them all. At daylight we put about with the
intention of examining the breakers we had seen in the night and we made
two boards, but perceiving that I could not weather them without some
risk I bore up and ran round its N.W. end. It is a double reef enclosing
a space of deeper water like the lagoon islands so common in these seas,
and probably will become one in the course of time. The sea breaks pretty
high upon it in different parts, but there is no part of the reef
absolutely above water. It is about seven miles long in the direction of
N.W. by N. Its breadth is not so much. Called it Willis's shoal. It lies
in Latitude 12° 20' S. and Longitude 200° 2' W.[69-1]
We pursued our course to the Westward and on the 23rd saw the land
bearing from N.E. to N. by W. The Easternmost land when first seen was
ten or twelve leagues from us and it cannot be far to the Westward of the
land seen by Mons. Bougainville and called by him Louisiade, and probably
joins to it. The cape is in Latitude 10° 3' 32" S. and Longitude 212°
14' W., was called Cape Rodney and another cape in Latitude 9° 58' S. and
Longitude 212° 37' W. was called Cape Hood, and an island lying between
them was called Mount Clarence. After passing Cape Hood the land appears
lower and to branch off about N.N.W. and to form a deep and wide bay, or
perhaps a passage through, for we saw no other land, and there are doubts
whether it joins New Guinea or not.[69-2]
I pursued my course to the Westward between the Latitudes of 10° and 9°
33' S. keeping the mouth of Endeavour Straits open, by which I hoped to
avoid the difficulties and dangers experienced by Captain Cook in his
passage through the reef in a higher latitude, and also the difficulties
he met with when within in his run from thence to the Strait's
mouth.[70-1]
On the 25th August at 9 in the morning, saw breakers from the mast head
bearing from us W. by S. to W.N.W. I hauled up to the Southward and
passed to the Eastward of them. It runs in the direction of W.S.W. and
E.N.E. 4' or 5', and another side runs in the direction of N.W. the
distance unknown. The sea broke very moderately upon it, in some places
barely perceptibly. In the interior part a very small sand-bank was seen
from the mast-head, and no other part of the reef was above water. It
obtained the name of Look-Out shoal.[70-2]
Before noon we saw more breakers which proved to be one of those
half-formed islands enclosing a lagoon, the reef of which was composed
principally of very large stones, but a sandbank was seen from the mast
head extending to the Southward of it, and as I could not weather it and
seeing another opening to the Westward, I steered to the W.S.W., and a
little before two o'clock saw the island to the Westward of us, and
another reef bearing about S.W. by South and I then steered W. ½ N. until
half past five, when a reef was seen extending from the island a
considerable way to the N.W., the island bearing then about W.S.W. I
immediately hauled upon the wind in order to pass to the Southward of it,
and seeing a passage to the Northward obstructed[71-1] I stood on and
off, and was still during the night, and in the morning bore away; but as
we drew near we also saw a reef extending to the Southward from the South
end of the island. I ran to the Southward along the reef with the
intention and expectation of getting round it, and the whole day was
spent without succeeding in my purpose and without seeing the end of the
reef, or any break in it that gave the least hopes of a channel fit for a
ship.[71-2]
The islands, which I called Murray's Islands, are four in number, two of
them are of considerable height and may be seen twelve leagues. The
principal island is not more than three miles long. It is well wooded and
at the top of the highest hill the rocks have the appearance of a
fortified garrison. The other high island is only a single mountain
almost destitute of trees and verdure. The other two are only crazy
barren rocks. We saw three two mast boats under sail near the reef, which
we supposed belong to the islands. Murray Islands lie in Latitude 9° 57'
S. and Longitude 216° 43' W. We kept turning to the Southward along the
reef until the 28th in search of a channel and in the forenoon of that
day we thought we saw an opening through the reef near a white sandy
island or key, and a little before Lt. Corner was sent in the yawl to
examine it. At three quarters past four he made the signal that there was
a channel through the reef fit for a ship, and after a signal was made
and repeated for the boat to return on board, and after dark false fires
and muskets were fired from the ship, and answered with muskets by the
boat repeatedly to point out the situation of each other. We sounded
frequently but had no ground at 110 fathoms.
At about twenty minutes after seven the boat was seen close in under our
stern and at the same time we got soundings in 50 fathoms water. We
immediately made sail, but before the tacks were on board and the sails
trimmed the ship struck upon the reef when we were getting 4¼ less 2
fathoms water on the larboard side, and 3 fathoms on the starboard side.
Got out the boats with a view to carrying out an anchor, but before it
could be effected the ship struck so heavily on the reef that the
carpenters reported that she made 18 inches of water in five minutes, and
in five minutes after there was four feet of water in the hold. Finding
the leak increase so fast found it necessary to turn all hands to the
pumps and to bale at the different hatchways. She still continued to gain
upon us so much that under an hour and a half after she had struck there
was eight feet of water in the hold, and we perceived that the ship had
beat over the reef where we had 10 fathoms water. We let go the small
bower and veered away the cable and let go the best bower under foot in
15 fathoms water to steady the ship. At this time the water only gained
upon us in a small degree and we flattered ourselves for some time that
by the assistance of a top sail which we were preparing and intended to
haul under the ship's bottom we might be able to free her of water, but
these flattering hopes did not continue long, for as she settled in the
water the leaks increased and in so great a degree that there was reason
to apprehend that she would sink before daylight.
In the course of the night two of the pumps were for some time rendered
useless, one, however was repaired, and we continued baling and pumping
the remainder of the night and every effort was made to keep her
afloat.[73-1] Daylight fortunately appeared and gave us the opportunity
to see our situation and the surrounding danger. Our boats were kept
astern of the ship; a small quantity of provisions and other necessaries
were put into them, rafts were made, and all floating things upon the
deck were unlashed. At half past six the hold was filled with water, and
water was between decks and it also washed in at the upper deck ports,
and there were strong indications that the ship was upon the very point
of sinking, and we began to leap overboard and to take to the boats, and
before everybody could get out of her the ship actually sank.[73-2] The
boats continued astern on the ship in the direction of the drift of the
tide from here, and took up the people that had held on to the rafts or
other floating things that had been cast loose for the purpose of
supporting them in the water.[74-1]
We loaded two of the boats with people and sent them to the island, or
rather key, about three or four miles from the ship, and then other two
boats remained near the ship for some time and picked up all the people
that could be seen and then followed the two first boats to the key, and
after landing the people, &c. the boats were immediately sent again to
look about the wreck and the adjoining reefs for missing people, but they
returned without having found a single person. On mustering we discovered
that 89 of the ship's company and 10 of the pirates that were on board
were saved, and that 31[74-2] of the ship's company and 4 pirates were
lost with the ship. The boats were hauled up and secured to fit them for
the intended run to Timor; an account was taken of the provision and
other articles saved, and they were spread to dry, and we put ourselves
to the following allowance, to 3 ounces of bread, which was occasionally
reduced to 2 ounces, to half an ounce of portable soup, to half an ounce
of essence of malt, (but these two articles were not served until after
we left the key, and they were at other times withheld), to two small
glasses of water and one of wine.
On the afternoon of the 30th sent a boat to the wreck to see if anything
could be procured. She returned with the head of the T.G. mast, a little
of the T.G. rigging, and part of the chain of the lightning conductor,
but without a single article of provision. The boat was also sent to
examine the channel through the reef &c. and was afterwards sent
a-fishing. She lost her grapnel, but no fish were caught.
On the 31st the boats were completed and were launched, and we put
everything we had saved on board of them and at half past ten in the
forenoon we embarked, 30 on board the launch, 25 in the pinnace, 23 in
one yawl and 21 in the other yawl.[75-1] We steered N.W. by W. and W.N.W.
within the reef. This channel through the reef is better than any
hitherto known, besides the advantage it has of being situated further
to the North, by which many difficulties would be avoided when within the
reef. In the run from thence to the entrance of Endeavour Straits there
is a small white island or key on the larboard end of the channel, which
lies in Latitude 11° 23' S., the sides are strong and irregular.
On the 1st September in the morning saw land, which probably was the
continent of New South Wales. The yawls were sent on shore to ground and
look out. They saw a run of water, landed and filled their two barricois,
which were the only vessels of consequence they had with them, and I
steered for an island called by Lt. Bligh Mountainous Island, and when
joined by the boats ran into a bay of that island where we saw Indians on
the beach. The water was shoal and the Indians waded off to the boats. I
gave them some presents and made them sensible that we were in want of
water. They brought us a vessel filled with water which we had given them
for the purpose, and they returned to fill it again. They used many signs
to signify that they wished us to land, but we declined their invitation
from motives of prudence.
Just as a person was entering the water with the second vessel of fresh
water, an arrow was discharged at us by another person, which struck my
boat on the quarter, and perceiving that they were collecting bows and
arrows a volley of small arms was fired at them which put them to flight.
I did not think proper to land and get water by force as land was seen at
that time in different directions, which by appearance was likely to
produce that article, and which I flattered myself we might be able to
procure without being drove to that extremity. I therefore ran close
along the shore of this island and landed at different places at some
distance from the former situation. I also landed at another island near
it which I called Plum Island[77-1] from its producing a species of that
fruit, but we were unsuccessful in finding the article we were in search
of, and in so much want of.
In the evening we steered for the islands which we supposed were those
called by Captain Cook the Prince of Wales' Islands, and before midnight
came to a grapnel with the boats near one of these islands, in a large
sound formed by several of the surrounding islands, to several of which
we gave names, and called the sound Sandwich Sound.[77-2] It is fit for
the reception of ships, having from five to seven fathoms of water. There
is plenty of wood on most of the islands, and by digging we found very
good water. On the flat part of a large island which I called Lafory's
Island,[77-3] situated on the larboard hand as we entered the sound from
the Eastward we saw a burying place and several wolves[77-4] near the
watering place, but we saw no natives. Here we filled our vessels with
water and made two canvas bags in which we also put water, but with this
assistance we had barely the means to take a gallon of water for each man
in the boats. We sent our kettles on shore and made tea and portable
broth, and a few oysters were picked off the rocks with which we made a
comfortable meal, indeed the only one we had made since the day before we
left the ship.
On the 2nd September at half past three in the afternoon we stood out of
the North entrance of the sound. Before five we saw a reef extending from
the North to the W.N.W. and which appeared to run in the latter direction
or more to the Westward.[77-5] On the edge of this reef we had 3¼ fathoms
of water and after hauling to the S.W. we soon deepened our water to 5
fathoms. Besides Mountainous and West Islands seen by Lt. Bligh we saw
several other islands between the North and the West, one of which I
called Hawkesbury Island. We saw several large turtle.
In the evening we saw the Northernmost extremity of New South Wales,
which forms the South side of Endeavour Straits. At night the boats took
each other in tow and we steered to the Westward.
It is unnecessary to retail our particular sufferings in the boats during
our run to Timor and it is sufficient to observe that we suffered more
from heat and thirst than from hunger, and that our strength was greatly
decreased.[78-1] We fortunately had good weather, and the sea was
generally not very rough, and the boats were more buoyant and lively in
the water that we reasonably could have expected considering the weight
and numbers we had in them.
At seven o'clock in the morning of the 13th September we saw the island
of Timor bearing N.W. We continued our course to the W.N.W. till noon,
but the other boats hauled for the land and we separated from them. At
one o'clock we were well in with the land and a party was sent on shore
in search of water, but none was found here, nor at several other places
we examined as we passed along the coast, until the next morning, when
good water was found. We also bought a few small fish, which when divided
afforded some two or three ounces per man. Here the launch joined us
again. They informed us that they had got a supply of water the evening
before.
On the 15th in the morning saw the island of Rotte. At half past three in
the afternoon entered the Straits of Samoa. Before midnight we came to a
grapnel off the float or Coopang and found here one ship, a ketch and two
or three small craft. The launch separated from us soon after dark to get
up to Coopang the next day in the forenoon. On the morning of the 16th by
our account (which was the 17th in this country) at daylight we hailed
the fort and informed them whom we were. A small boat was sent to us, and
myself and Lt. Hayward landed at the usual place near the Chinese Temple
where we were received by the Lt. Governor, Mr. Fruy and Mr. Bouberg,
Capt. Lieutenant of a Company ship that lay in the road, and conducted by
them to Governor Wanjon, who received us with great humanity and goodness
of heart. Refreshments were immediately prepared for myself and the
lieutenant. Provision was provided, the people ordered to land, and they
all dined in the Governor's own house, and an arrangement was made for
the reception and accommodation of the whole party as they arrived.
The church and the church-yard was assigned for the use of the private
seamen, a house was hired for the warrant and petty officers. The people
that were ill were put under the care of Mr. Zimers, the Surgeon-General.
Governor Wanjon did me and Lt. Hayward the honour of lodging and
entertaining us in his own house. Mr. Corner, the second Lieutenant and
Mr. Bentham, the Purser, were received in the house of Mr. Fruy, the
Lieutenant-Governor. Lt. Larkin and Mr. Passmore were taken into the
house of Mr. Brouberg, the Captain-Lieutenant of the Company ship, and
Mr. Hamilton, the surgeon, was accommodated in the house of Mr. Zimers,
the Surgeon-General, and Governor Wanjon did everything in his power to
supply our present wants, or that would contribute to the
re-establishment of our health and strength and even to our amusement,
and this benevolent example was followed by Mr. Fruy, the
Lieutenant-Governor and the other gentlemen of the place. Two months'
provision was provided for the ship's company and put on board the
_Remberg_ [_Rembang_], a Dutch East India Company ship, and we embarked
on board the same ship for Batavia on the 6th October, 1791.[80-1]
Before we sailed Governor Wanjon delivered to me eight men, one woman and
two children who came to Coopang in June last in a six-oared cutter. They
are supposed to be late deserters from the colony at Port Jackson. Food
bills were given on the different departments of the Navy for the
provisions and other necessaries we were supplied with at Coopang and
also for the maintenance and cloathing of the convicts. I sold one of the
yawls to the Lieutenant-Governor and the longboat and the other yawl to
the Commander of the _Remberg_, the ship in which we embarked. The latter
was not to be delivered up until I left Batavia, and I shall make myself
accountable to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy for the amount. As
I could take no more boats with me and the pinnace being out of repair, I
left her with the Governor Wanjon with permission to do with her what he
thought proper.
We stopped at Samarang, being an island of Java, where we had the good
fortune to be joined by our tender that had separated from us off the
island of Oattoah. She had all her people on board except one man, whom
they had buried a few days before. She had been stopped at Java on
suspicion, and they were going to send her to Batavia. Mr. Overstratin,
the Governor of the place, delivered her up to me. The tender had
contracted a small debt for provisions &c. at Java, which I shall
discharge. She fell in to the Westward of Annamooka, the island I had
appointed to rendezvous on, without seeing it, and then steered two days
to the Westward nearly in its latitude and fell in with an island which I
suppose must be one of the Fiji Islands, where they had waited for me
five weeks, and then proceeded through Endeavour Straits and intended to
stop at Batavia. With the iron and salt I had provided them with they
were enabled to procure and preserve sufficient provision for their run
to Java.
I arrived at Batavia on the 7th November and on application to the
Governor and Council my people were put on board a Dutch East India
Company's ship that was lying in the Road to be kept there until they
could be sent to Europe, and the sick were ordered to be received by the
Company's hospital at Batavia, and I have since agreed with the Dutch
East India Company to divide my ship's company into four parts, and to
embark them on board four of their ships for Holland at no expense to the
Government further than for the officers and prisoners, which appeared to
me to be the most eligible and least expensive way of getting to England.
Lt. Larkin, two petty officers, and eighteen seamen embarked on the
_Zwan_, a Dutch East India ship on the 19th November and are sailing for
Europe, and myself and the remainder of the _Pandora's_ company and the
prisoners are to embark as soon as their ships are manned. Myself and the
pirates are to embark on board the _Vreedenberg_, Captain Christian and I
have stipulated that myself and the prisoners may be at liberty to go on
board any of His Majesty's ships, or other vessels we may meet with on
mine or my officer's application for the purpose.
Enclosed is the latitudes and longitudes of several islands, &c. we
discovered during our voyage, the state of the _Pandora's_ company, a
list of pirates belonging to the _Bounty_, taken at Otaheite and a list
of convicts, deserters from the colony at Port Jackson. It may be
necessary to observe that these last have several names, and that William
Bryant and James Cox pretend that their time of transportation has
expired, but these two then found a boat and money to procure necessaries
to enable themselves and others to escape, for which I presume they are
liable to punishment, and think it my duty to give information.
Although I have not had the good fortune to fully accomplish the object
of my voyage, and that it has in other respects been strongly marked with
great misfortunes, I hope it will be thought that the first is not for
want of perseverence, or the latter for want of the care and attention of
myself and those under my command, but that the disappointment and
misfortune arose from the difficulties and peculiar circumstances of the
service we were upon; that those of my orders I have been able to fulfil,
with the discoveries that have been made will be some compensation for
the disappointment and misfortunes that have attended us, and should
their Lordships upon the whole think that the voyage will be profitable
to our country it will be a great consolation to,
Sir,
Your most humble and obedient servant,
EDW. EDWARDS.
Philip Stevens Esq."
"Cape of Good Hope,
19th March, 1792.
SIR,
Agreeable to my intentions which I did myself the honour to signify to
you in a letter addressed from Batavia and sent by a Dutch packet bound
to Europe, I embarked the remainder of the Company of His Majesty's ship
_Pandora_, pirates late belonging to the _Bounty_ and the convicts
deserters from Port Jackson, on board three Dutch East India ships as
follows:--
Myself, the master, Purser, Gunner, Clerk, two midshipmen, twentyone
seamen, and ten pirates on board the _Vreedenburg_, bound to Amsterdam.
Lt. Corner, the surgeon, three midshipmen, fourteen seamen, and half the
convicts on board the _Horssen_, bound to Rotterdam, and Lt. Hayward, the
boatswain, surgeon's mate, three midshipmen, fifteen seamen and the other
half of the convicts on board the _Hoornwey_, bound to Rotterdam.
Lt. Larkin with two petty officers and eighteen seamen were embarked on
board the _Zwan_ and sailed from Batavia previous to the date of my
former letter, and I am now informed that she has been at this port and
sailed from hence for Europe more than a month before my arrival.
I found His Majesty's Ship _Gorgon_ here on her return from Port Jackson,
and on account both of expedition and greater security I intend to avail
myself of the opportunity to embark on board of her with the ten pirates
for England, and I request that you will be pleased to communicate the
circumstances to My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
EDW. EDWARDS."
"Admiralty Office,
June, 19th 1792.
SIR,
I beg leave to inform you that I found His Majesty's Ship _Gorgon_ at the
Cape of Good Hope on my arrival there in the _Vreedenburg_, a Dutch East
India Company's ship, from Batavia, and I thought it proper to remove the
pirates late belonging to His Majesty's armed vessel, the _Bounty_, and
the convicts, deserters from Port Jackson (whom I had under my charge on
board the Dutch East India Company's ships) into His Majesty's said ship,
for their greater security, and I took the same opportunity myself to
embark on board on her for England and I hope that these steps will be
approved of by their Lordships.
I gave you an account of my arrival at the Cape of Good Hope and of my
intentions to embark on board the _Gorgon_ with the pirates, convicts,
&c. in a letter which I did myself the honour to address to you from
thence and sent by the _Baring_, Thomas Fingey, Master, an American ship
bound to Ostend.
Inclosed is the state of the company of His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_ at
the time I left the Cape of Good Hope, and the manner in which they were
disposed of on board Dutch East India Company's ships in order to be
brought to Europe and also a list of the pirates late belonging to the
_Bounty_, and of the convicts, deserters from Port Jackson, delivered to
me by Mr. Wanjon, the Governor of the Dutch settlements in the island of
Timor, now on board His Majesty's Ship _Gorgon_.
I arrived yesterday evening at St. Helens, left the _Gorgon_, and landed
at Portsmouth last night and I am now at this office awaiting their
Lordships' Commands.
And I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
EDW. EDWARDS.
Philip Stevens, Esq."
A LIST of convicts, deserters from Port Jackson, delivered to Captain
Edward Edwards of His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_ by Timotheus Wanjon,
Governor of the Dutch Settlements at Timor, 5th October, 1791.
William Allen, }
John Butcher, }
Nathaniel Lilley, }
James Martin, } On board H.M.S. _Gorgon_.
Mary Bryant. Transported }
by the name of Mary }
Broad. }
William Morton, Dd on board Dutch East India Co.'s ship, _Hoornwey_.
William Bryant, Dd 22nd December 1791, Hospital Batavia.
James Cox, Dd, fell overboard Straits of Sunda.
John Simms, Dd on board Dutch East India Co.'s ship _Hoornwey_.
Emanuel Bryant, Dd 1st }
December 1791, }
Batavia. } Children of the above
Charlotte Bryant, Dd 6th } William and Mary Bryant.
May 1792 on board }
H.M.S. _Gorgon_. }
EDW. EDWARDS.
A LIST of one Petty Officer and four Seamen lost in a cutter belonging to
His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_, at Palmerston's Island on the 24th May,
1791.
John Sival, Midshipman.
James Good, }
William Wasdel, } Seamen.
James Scott, }
Joseph Cunningham, }
EDW. EDWARDS.
LIST of Pirates late belonging to His Majesty's ship _Bounty_ taken by
His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_, Captain Edward Edwards, at Otaheite.
Joseph Coleman, }
Peter Haywood, }
Michael Burn, }
James Morrison, }
Charles Norman, } On Board H.M.S. _Gorgon_.
Thomas Ellison, }
Thomas MacIntosh, }
William Muspratt, }
Thomas Burkitt, }
John Millward, }
George Stewart, }
Richard Skinner, }
Henry Heilbrant, } 29th August 1791, lost with ship.
John Sumner. }
(Signed) EDWARD EDWARDS.
STATE of the Company of H.M.S. _Pandora_, Captain Edward Edwards: and the
manner disposed of on board Dutch East India Company's Ships for their
voyage to Europe.
Com. Off. Warrant Petty Seamen.
& Master. Officers. Officers.
Zwan, Lt. John Larkan, 1 2 17
Horssen, Lt. Robert Corner, 1 1 2 13
Mr. George Hamilton Surgeon.
Hornwey, Lt. Thos. Hayward,
John Cunningham, Boatswain, 1 1 2 14
Vreedenberg, Mr. G. Passmore, Master,
Mr. Gregory Bentham, Purser,
Mr. Jos. 1 2 1 18
Parker gunner and 1 Supernumary
belonging to H.M.
armed vessel _Supply_.
Hospital at Batavia, 1
H.M.S. _Gorgon_, Captain
Edwards, 1 2 1
______________________________________________________________________
5 4 9 64
Whole Number borne, 82
Died since ship was lost, 16
Discharged, 1
____
Whole number Ship's company
saved in ship and tender 99
Supernumaries.
Do. Pirates, 10
Convicts, 4 men and 1 woman 5
EDWARD EDWARDS.
"No. 8, Craven Street,
Strand,
9th July, 1792.
SIR,
I beg leave to acquaint you that I have information that the
_Vreedenburg_ and the _Horssen_, two Dutch East India Company's ships, on
board of which part of the company of His Majesty's ship _Pandora_ are
embarked, were off the Start on the 5th of this month, on their way to
Holland, and that the _Hoornwey_, the ship on board which the remainder
of the company of the _Pandora_ were embarked, was expected to sail from
the Cape of Good Hope in about three weeks after the two former ships
left that place, but the account does not mention the day they left the
Cape themselves.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
EDWARD EDWARDS."
LIST of islands and places discovered by H.M.S. _Pandora_, with their
latitudes and longitudes.
Names of Islands. Lat. S. Long. W.
Ducie Island, 24° 40' 30" 124° 40' 30"
Lord Hood's Island, 21° 31' 00" 135° 32' 30"
Carysfort Island, 20° 49' 00" 138° 33' 00"
Duke of Clarence Island, 9° 09' 30" 171° 30' 46"
Otewhy or Chatham, 13° 32' 30" 172° 18' 25"
Howe's Isles, 18° 32' 30" 173° 53' 00"
Gardener's Isles, 17° 57' 00" 175° 16' 54"
Bickerton's Isle, 18° 47' 40" 174° 48' 00"
Onooafow or Probys Isle, 15° 53' 00" 175° 51' 00"
Rotumah or Grenville Isles, 12° 29' 00" 183° 03' 00"
Pandora's Bank, 12° 11' 00" 188° 08' 00"
Mitre Island, 11° 49' 00" 190° 04' 30"
Cherry Island, 11° 37' 30" 190° 19' 30"
Pitt's Isle (South Point), 11° 50' 30" 193° 14' 05"
Wells Shoal on reef, 12° 20' 00" 202° 02' 00"
Cape Rodney, 10° 03' 32" 212° 14' 05"
Mount Clarence between the two Orayas.
Cape Hood, 9° 58' 06" 212° 37' 10"
Look Out Shoal.
Stoney Reef Islands.
Murray's Islands, 9° 57' 00" 216° 43' 00"
Wreck Reef.
Escape Key, 11° 23' 00"
Entrance Key, 11° 23' 00"
EDWARD EDWARDS.
A LIST of 14 pirates, belonging to H.M.S. late ship _Bounty_, taken at
Otaheite.
Joseph Coleman.
Peter Haywood.
Michael Byrne.
James Morrison.
Charles Norman.
Thomas Ellison.
Thomas M'Intosh.
William Muspratt.
Thomas Burkitt.
John Millward.
George Stewart, }
Richard Skinner, } D/d drowned August 29th 1791.
Henry Hillbrant, }
John Sumner. }
EDWARD EDWARDS.
FOOTNOTES:
[30-1] They sighted Easter Island on March 4th, 1791, Ducie's Island on
the 16th, Hoods' Island on the 17th, and Carysfort on the 19th. The
latitude and description of Ducie's Island leaves little doubt that it
was the first island discovered by Quiros on January 26th, 1606 and
called by him Luna Puesta. It appears as Encarnaçion in Espinosa's chart.
Quiros thus describes it: "A buen juzgar dista de Lima ochocientas
leguas: tiene cinco de boj, mucha arboleda y playas de arena, y junto á
tierra fondo de ochenta brazas." Had Edwards but sailed due west from
Ducie Island he must have sighted Pitcairn and discovered the
hiding-place of Fletcher Christian's ill-fated colony.
[31-1] An American vessel.
[33-1] Morrison was Boatswain's Mate of the _Bounty_. He had previously
served as midshipman in the navy, and by talent and education he was far
above the station he held in Bligh's ship. It was he who planned and
directed the building of the fast-sailing little schooner which acted as
the _Pandora's_ tender, was the first vessel to anchor in Fiji, and made
the record passage from China to the Sandwich Islands. Morrison was
chaplain as well as foreman to the little band of shipwrights. On Sundays
he hoisted the English colours on a staff and read the Church Service to
them. He kept a journal, not only throughout the _Bounty's_ cruise, but
during his sojourn with the mutineers in Tahiti, and, though it is not
explained how he contrived to preserve it through the wreck of the
_Pandora_ and the boat voyage, there can be no doubt that it was a
genuine document. At Captain Heywood's death it passed with his other
papers to his daughters. This journal has been annotated and corrected by
another hand, probably Heywood's own, but without material alteration of
the sense. It is filled with acrimony against Bligh from the outset of
the _Bounty's_ cruise, and the form of the entries shows that it was
intended to be the basis for laying serious charges against him when the
ship was paid off. It is needless to add that it does not spare Edwards
in respect of his treatment of his prisoners.
[36-1] The _Pandora_ found one of them at Palmerston Island.
[37-1] Executed at Portsmouth.
[37-2] Pardoned.
[37-3] Acquitted.
[37-4] Drowned in the wreck of the _Pandora_.
[37-5] Morrison said that his plan was to reach Batavia in time to secure
a passage home in the next fleet bound to Holland, and that the return to
Tahiti was occasioned, not by any distrust of his talents, but by the
refusal of the natives, who were anxious to keep them in Tahiti, to
victual the ship for so long a voyage. There were no casks on the
schooner for storing water. Morrison, Heywood and Stewart had planned an
escape from Tubuai in the _Bounty's_ boat, but, fortunately for
them--since the attempt would have been certain death--their plan was
discovered and frustrated by the other mutineers.
[38-1] Oliver, master's mate; Renouard, midshipman; James Dodds,
quartermaster; and six seamen.
[40-1] Oatafu, one of the Union Group, discovered by Commodore Byron in
1765. If the mutineers had settled there they would have starved, for
there is neither food nor water. Since Byron's discovery a native
settlement has been made from Bowditch Island (Fakaago), and the people,
about 100 in number, live on fish, pandanus, and water caught in holes
cut on the lee side of the cocoa-palms.
[40-2] The northernmost island of the Cook Group, discovered by Bligh,
April 11, 1798, a few days before the mutiny. In 1823 John Williams, the
missionary, heard at Rarotonga a native tradition of Bligh's visit. The
natives heard the first rumours of a world beyond their own from two
Tahitian castaways who had seen Captain Cook, and had with them an iron
hatchet obtained from the _Resolution_. They represented the strange
beings who traversed the ocean in vast canoes, not lashed with sinnet nor
furnished with outriggers, as impious people who laughed at the tabu, and
even ate of the consecrated food from the Maraés. They were like the
gods; if they were attacked they blew at their assailants with long
blow-pipes (pupuhi) from which flames and stones were belched. Such were
the Tutë (Cooks). Thereafter, having need of iron (kurima) and other
wonders current in Tahiti the men of Aitutaki prayed to their gods to
send the Tutë to their island with axes and nails and _pupuhi_, and this,
according to an old priest, was their prayer. "O great Tangaroa, send
your large ship to our land: let us see the Cookees. Great Tangiia, send
us a dead sea, send us a propitious gale, to bring the far-famed Cookees
to our land, to give us nails and iron and axes; let us see these
outriggerless canoes." And with the feast presented with the prayer were
promises of greater feasts so soon as their prayer was answered. The gods
heard them. A few months later the Cookees came. The great ship did not
anchor, but one of the natives took his courage in both hands, and went
off in his canoe. He brought back strange tales of what he had seen. It
was a floating island; there were two rivers flowing on it (the pumps),
and two plantations in which grew taro and sugar-cane and bread-fruit,
and the keel scraped the bottom of the sea, for he dived as deep as he
could go without finding it.
Williams has fallen into two errors in his account (p. 171). In the same
breath he claims for himself the discovery of Rarotonga, in 1823, and
announces this to have been a visit of the _Bounty_ after she was taken
by the mutineers, _i.e._ in April, 1789. Rarotonga was, in fact,
discovered by the ship _Seringapatam_ in 1814, though Williams may have
been the first to land. The tradition must have referred to Bligh's visit
to Aitutaki before the mutiny when the decks were encumbered with
bread-fruit, for we know that the first thing the mutineers did after
setting their captain adrift was to throw all the bread-fruit plants
overboard, and that they steered direct for Tahiti.
[42-1] Discovered by Cook in his second voyage. There are nine small
islands connected by a reef, covered with trees, but destitute of water.
[43-1] Sufficient for thirty days at most. In the face of the danger of
parting company, with the _Pandora_ overloaded with stores, and the
tender too feebly manned to wait at so dangerous a rendezvous as the
Friendly Islands, Edwards showed very little foresight in neglecting to
provision the tender for an independent voyage. His neglect nearly cost
the crew their lives.
[44-1] See p. 126.
[46-1] Fakaafo or Bowditch Island, whence the present permanent
inhabitants migrated.
[46-2] Nukunono, a new discovery, another of the Union Group. It was
surveyed by the American Exploring Expedition in 1840, and was found to
be 7-2/10 miles long, N. and S., and 5 miles E. and W.
[48-1] The actual position is 9·5' S. Latitude and 171·38' W. Longitude.
[49-1] Savaii in the Samoa Group. If not the 'Beauman' Islands seen by
Roggewein in 1721, they were discovered by Bougainville in 1768 and
visited by La Pérouse in 1787. Freycinet also visited them before
Edwards.
[49-2] Mata-atua Harbour. There is no river there except after heavy
rain.
[49-3] He had a finger cut off in mourning for Finau Ulukalala, who must
have died in 1790.
[50-1] La Pérouse and Kotzebue call it Pola.
[50-2] Upolu on which is Apia, the present capital of Samoa.
[50-3] Upolu is the native name, but it has been called Ojalava,
Oahtooha, Ojatava, and Opoloo by different navigators, who may have taken
the names of villages or districts to mean the whole island. The
population exceeded 20,000 at the beginning of last century.
[50-4] Turmeric powder, never a mark of distinction, was besmeared over
nursing mothers, chief women at the feasts connected with puberty, and
persons concerned in certain other ceremonies.
[51-1] Bougainville sighted Upolu on May 5th, 1760. A thick fog which
came on that afternoon, and lasted all the following day, prevented him
from approaching it, and from seeing Savaii, which he would have seen on
May 7th in clear weather. La Pérouse coasted along its southern shore on
December 17th, 1789. Unfortunately, smarting from the massacre of de
Langle and his boat's crew at Tutuila, he was in no mood for
communicating with the natives, and he did not anchor.
[51-2] See p. 12.
[52-1] Fatafehi is the hereditary title of one of the spiritual chiefs of
Tonga. He had no executive authority, but his wealth, derived from his
lands and the offerings to which he was entitled, gave him considerable
influence. The complicated hierarchy of spiritual chiefs in Tonga was a
continual puzzle to Cook. Fatafehi at this time was an ornamental
personage, inferior in dignity to the Tui Tonga, and in power to Tukuaho,
who wielded the authority of his father Mumui, the Tui Kanakubolu. The
Toobou (Tubou) mentioned here was the deputy of the tyrant Tukuaho, who,
eight years later, was to pay the penalty of his crimes in the Revolution
of 1799. Hamilton mentions that the tradition of Tasman's visit in 1642
was still preserved.
[54-1] Among the people who boarded the ship from Tofoa Lieut. Hayward
recognized some of those who attacked Bligh's boat four days after the
mutiny, and murdered Quartermaster Norton, but solicitude for the crew of
the tender, which might call there, prevented Edwards from punishing them
as they deserved. No doubt, both at Tofoa and Namuka, the natives would
have attempted to take the ship had they thought success possible as, we
now know, they had planned to capture Cook's ships, and as they actually
did capture the privateer _Port-au-Prince_ in 1806 at Haapai. In 1808
William Mariner, one of the survivors of that ill-fated ship, who has
left behind him the best account of a native race that exists probably in
any language, was led by the strange native account of Norton's murder,
to visit his grave. The natives asserted that Norton was killed by a
carpenter for the sake of an axe which he was carrying; that his body was
stripped and dragged some distance inland to a _Malae_ where it lay
exposed for three days before burial; and that the grass had never since
grown upon the track of the body nor upon its resting-place on the
_Malae_. Mariner found a bare track leading inland from the beach and
terminating in a bare patch, lying transversely, about the length and
breadth of a man. It did not appear to be a beaten path, nor were there
people enough in the neighbourhood to make such a path. Probably it was
an old track, long disused and forgotten, for by such natural causes is
man's belief in the supernatural fed.
[55-1] The Vavau Group, called by the natives Haafuluhao, which then as
now, owed spiritual allegiance to Tonga.
[55-2] Manua, the most Easterly of the Samoa Group, called Opoun by La
Pérouse.
[55-3] Tutuila, discovered by Roggewein in 1721, visited by Bougainville
4th May, 1768, and by La Pérouse 10th December, 1787. On the day before
his murder by the natives, Comte de Langle, La Pérouse's second in
command, discovered Pangopango harbour while on a walk through the
island, but neither Bougainville nor La Pérouse seems to have discerned
the masked fissure in the cliff which forms its entrance. Edwards must
have had a copy of Bougainville on board, but no record of La Pérouse's
visit four years before, or he would have shown greater caution in
communicating with the natives. That he had heard something of La
Pérouse's voyage, and had some ground for suspicion is shown by Hamilton.
A detailed account of de Langle's murder is to be found in "La Pérouse's
Voyage," vol. ii.
[56-1] Vavau.
[57-1] He might have added "in the Pacific," for it is a magnificent
land-locked harbour, a little narrow for sailing ships to beat out of in
a southerly wind, but excellent for steamships.
[57-2] This was Finau Ulukalala, one of the most notable men in Tongan
history. He had just succeeded his elder brother, the Finau (Feenow) of
Captain Cook's visit in 1777. On April 21st, 1799, he conspired against
Tukuaho, the temporal sovereign of Tonga and assassinated him, plunging
Tonga into a civil anarchy which lasted twenty years. He was Mariner's
patron and protector until his death in 1809. "The great master of Greek
drama," says a writer in the "Quarterly Review," "could have desired no
better elements than are to be found in the history of this remarkable
man; his remorseless ambition and his natural affections--his contempt
for the fables and ceremonies of his country when in prosperity--his
patient submission to them when in distress--his strong intellects--his
evil deeds--and the death which was believed to be inflicted on him in
vengeance by the over-ruling divinities whom he defied."
[58-1] Hunga.
[58-2] Niuababu.
[58-3] Falevai.
[58-4] Fonua Lei (Land of Whales' teeth).
[58-5] Laté.
[58-6] Toku.
[58-7] These islands had already been twice visited and named, and Cook,
though he did not visit them, gives all their native names in his list of
the islands composing the Friendly or Tonga Group. The honour of their
discovery belongs to the Spanish pilot Maurelle, who sailed from Manila
in 1781, without proper charts or instruments and almost without
provisions for his long voyage to America. Reduced to desperate straits
by famine, he sighted Fonua Lei, the northernmost of the Tonga Group,
which he called Margoura, believing it to be one of the Solomon Islands.
At Vavau he was liberally entertained by Bau or Poulaho, the Tui Tonga of
Cook's visit four years before. La Pérouse passed close to the islands in
December, 1787, but, consistent with his determination to hold no further
intercourse with natives after the murder of M. de Langle, did not enter
the harbour of Neiafu. Edwards had no account of either of these voyages.
La Pérouse's journals were not published until 1797.
Fonua Lei was again destroyed by an eruption in 1846. The inhabitants who
had plantations on it were removed to Vavau just in time.
[59-1] There is only one. It was so named by Tasman 1642. Maurelle called
it Sola. But Edwards probably mistook the twin islets of Hunga Tonga and
Hunga Haapai for Pylstaart.
[62-1] Niua-fo'ou (New Niua), discovered by W. Cornelis Schouten in the
Dutch ship _Eendracht_ (Unity) on May 14th, 1616, and named by him "Good
Hope" Island. Twelve canoes came off, and some of them attempted to take
the boat that he had sent ashore for water, but desisted on discharge of
a volley which killed two men. He wrote: "The island was full of black
cliffs, green on the top, and black, and was full of coco-trees and black
earth. There was a large village, and several other houses on the
seashore: the land was undulating, but not very high." No ship is known
to have visited the island from 1614 to this visit in 1791.
The cocoanuts grown here are the largest in the world, but the specimens
planted in other islands do not appear to maintain their abnormal size.
The island is further remarkable from the fact that the Megapodius, or
Scrub hen, is plentiful there, and nowhere else in the Pacific further
east than the New Hebrides. The natives have no traditions of its
introduction. The eggs have been prized as a delicacy in Tonga for
centuries, and are exported thither by every canoe going southward during
the breeding season. It is said that they are sometimes hatched
artificially, but the young _malao_ does not take kindly to the bush in
Tonga, although the vegetation is much the same. Why should the bird be
found in Polynesia, having skipped all the intermediate islands of
Melanesia? To what story of the migration of races is it the only clue?
[63-1] Niuatobutabu, like Niuafoou, subject to the King of Tonga.
[63-2] Uea, discovered by Wallis in 1767, and visited by Maurelle on
April 22nd, 1781. It has 3000 inhabitants who are said by the French
missionaries to be increasing. Uea is nominally independent under its own
queen, but the French priests wield the real power in so spirited a
fashion that the natives frequently attempt to escape from the island as
stowaways.
[64-1] Mourning for the death of a chief or near relation.
[65-1] This confirms the story of Kau Moala, a Tongan navigator, who
returned to his native land in 1807 and related his adventures to
Mariner. He had visited Futuna, Rotuma and Fiji in a double canoe, and,
in describing Rotuma, he related the legend of two giants who had
migrated from Tonga to Rotuma in legendary times. He was shown gigantic
bones in proof of the story, the bones, no doubt, of some marine monster.
Mention is made of Rotuma in a Tongan saga of the early sixteenth
century, and there can be no doubt that there was occasional intercourse
between these distant islands during the period when the Tongans were the
Norsemen of the Pacific.
Kau Moala heard nothing of Edwards' visit, though he brought news of the
visit of a ship to Futuna, and of an ineffectual attempt to take
her--perhaps the visit of Schouten, whose account of the affray tallies
closely with theirs even to the killing of six natives. The tradition was
still fresh after 190 years. Edwards' visit, having brought no disasters
on the natives, escaped the attention of the native poets and was
forgotten.
[67-1] Native name Fataka. The Russian Captain Kroutcheff, who landed
upon it in 1822, found it uninhabited.
[67-2] Kroutcheff placed it 41 minutes further west.
[68-1] This was Vanikoro in the Santa Cruz Group. It was probably seen by
Mendaña in 1595, and again by Carteret in 1767, but the interest attached
to it by Europeans, and particularly to Edwards' visit, lies in the
undoubted fact that at that very time there were survivors of La
Pérouse's ill-fated expedition upon it. If his search for the mutineers
had been as keen at this part of his voyage as it was in the earlier
portion, he would have been the means of rescuing them. The smoke he saw
may well have been signal fires lighted by the castaways to attract his
attention.
La Pérouse's ships were cast away in 1788, just three years before,
shortly after the Commander had delivered his journals to Governor
Phillip in Botany Bay for transmission to Europe. Their fate was unknown
until Peter Dillon chanced upon a French swordhilt in Tucopia
thirty-eight years later in 1826. Satisfying himself that they had been
brought from Vanikoro, he persuaded the East India Company to place him
in command of a search expedition. In 1827 he made a thorough examination
of the island, and found the remains of the _Boussole_; the _Astrolabe_,
according to the native account, having foundered in deep water. He found
the clearing where the survivors had felled timber to build themselves a
brig in which they sailed to meet a second shipwreck elsewhere, perhaps
on the Great Barrier reef of Queensland. But two had been left, and of
these one had died shortly before his visit, and the other had gone with
the natives to another island leaving no trace behind him.
D'Entrecasteaux, when in search of La Pérouse in 1793, also passed within
sight of the castaways.
D'Urville made a thorough examination of the island both in 1828 and
1838. The relics brought home by Dillon may be seen in the Gallerie de la
Marine in the Louvre.
[69-1] This was the dangerous reef now known as Indispensable Reef, after
the ship _Indispensable_ commanded by Captain Wilkinson, who discovered
it in 1790.
[69-2] It was, in fact, the mainland of New Guinea. The land East of Cape
Rodney, comprising Orangerie, Table, and Cloudy Bays, lies so low and is
so generally obscured with haze that on a dull day Edwards would not have
seen it.
It is doubtful whether Edwards' Capes Rodney and Hood, are correctly
placed in the modern charts. Our Cape Rodney is not a conspicuous
headland, and it lies half a degree eastward of 212·14 W. Longitude, and
9' South of 10^{6}·3° S. Latitude. Edwards' positions are usually so
accurate that I cannot see why they should have been departed from. Our
Cape Hood, on the other hand, is exactly in the position of his Cape
Rodney, and is besides a very conspicuous wooded tongue of land. Beyond
is another conspicuous point. Round Head, which corresponds in position
with Edwards' Cape Hood. Mount Clarence, moreover, would not appear to
lie between Capes Rodney and Hood until the former was out of sight
astern. I think that Mount Clarence must have been hidden by clouds, and
that Edwards' Mount Clarence was in reality the high cone in the Saroa
district, which is a conspicuous feature on the coast line. A further
indication that the day was hazy lies in the fact that Edwards did not
see the great Owen Stanley Range which towers up 13,000 feet behind. Had
he done so he would not have mistaken the mainland for a group of
scattered islands. Hamilton does not call Mount Clarence an "island," but
a "mountain." A further proof that Edwards' "Cape Hood" was Round Head is
found in the remark "After passing Cape Hood the land appears lower, and
to branch off about N.N.W., . . . for we saw no other land." This applies
to Round Head, and to no other part of the coast.
[70-1] If he had kept this course he would have struck the New Guinea
Coast again a little East of the Maikasa River.
[70-2] East Bay.
[71-1] It is difficult to understand how Edwards failed to see Flinders
Passage, which, while not free from obstructions to the westward, would
have admitted him to a safe anchorage at the Murray Islands, inside the
Barrier Reef.
[71-2] It was an unfortunate choice. Had he steered north on first
encountering the reefs he would have made the coast which he might have
followed in safety, as Bligh did in his boat voyage after the mutiny, by
what is now known as the Great North-East Channel. He was led Southward
by his plan of using the Endeavour Straits. See Hamilton's account, pp.
141-2.
[73-1] Two men were crushed to death; one by a gun that had broken loose,
and the other by a falling spar. The whole ship's company seems to have
behaved splendidly, working at the pumps and at the sail they were
preparing to haul under the ship's bottom until they could scarcely stand
for fatigue, with nothing to replenish their strength but "a cask of
excellent strong ale which we brewed at Anamooka" (Hamilton).
[73-2] Every reader must be struck by the fact that in his description of
this disaster, Edwards never once speaks of the prisoners. Hamilton, it
is true, does say "The prisoners were ordered to be let out of irons,"
but another account, ascribed to Lieutenant Corner, second lieutenant of
the _Pandora_, throws a sinister light on this part of the narrative.
"Three of the _Bounty's_ people, Coleman, Norman, and M'Intosh, were now
let out of irons, and sent to work at the pumps. The others offered their
assistance, and begged to be allowed a chance of saving their lives;
instead of which, two additional sentinels were placed over them, with
orders to shoot any who should attempt to get rid of their fetters.
Seeing no prospect of escape, they betook themselves to prayer, and
prepared to meet their fate, everyone expecting that the ship would soon
go to pieces, her rudder and part of the sternpost being already beat
away. No notice was taken of the prisoners, as is falsely stated by the
author of the 'Pandora's Voyage,' although Captain Edwards was entreated
by Mr. Heywood to have mercy upon them, when he passed over their prison
to make his own escape, the ship then lying on her broadside, with the
larboard bow completely under water. Fortunately the master-at-arms,
either by accident or design, when slipping from the roof of 'Pandora's
Box' into the sea, let the keys of the irons fall through the scuttle or
entrance, which he had just before opened, and thus enabled them to
commence their own liberation, in which they were generously assisted, at
the imminent risk of his own life, by William Moulter, a boatswain's mate
who clung to the coamings, and pulled the long bars through the shackles,
saying he would set them free, or go to the bottom with them. Scarcely
was this effected when the ship went down. The master-at-arms and all the
sentinels sunk to rise no more. Among the drowned were Mr. Stewart, John
Sumner, Richard Skinner, and Henry Hillbrandt, the whole of whom perished
with their hands still in manacles."
Some allowance is to be made both for the confusion of a shipwreck, and
for the natural fear of the commander that in the loosening of the ties
of authority natural to such a moment, the liberation among his crew of a
number of men who had already mutinied successfully, and were going home
with a rope about their necks, would be an act of merciful folly. This,
however, does not excuse him for refusing his prisoners the shelter of an
old sail on the sand cay, and so obliging them to get shelter from the
sun by burying themselves neck-deep in the sand, as Heywood afterwards
stated. Heywood further asserted that after the vessel struck the
prisoners, having wrenched themselves out of their irons, implored
Edwards to let them out of "Pandora's Box," but that he had them all
ironed again.
[74-1] In his evidence before the court-martial Edwards said: "The double
canoe, that was able to support a considerable number of men, broke
adrift with only one man, and was bulged upon a reef, and afforded us no
help when she was so much wanted."
[74-2] Hamilton says 34.
[75-1] Each boat was supplied with the latitude and longitude of Timor,
1100 miles distant. As soon as they embarked the oars were laid athwart
the boat so that they could stow two tiers of men. The men were
distributed as follows:
_Pinnace_--Capt. Edwards; Lieut. Hayward; Rickards, Master's Mate;
Packer, Gunner; Edmonds, Captain's Clerk; 3 prisoners, 16 privates.
_Red Yawl_--Lieut. Larkan; Surgeon Hamilton; Reynolds, Master's Mate;
Matson, Midshipman; 2 prisoners; 18 privates.
_Launch_--Lieutenant Corner; Bentham, Purser; Montgomery; Carpen Bowling,
Master's Mate; Mackendrick, Midshipman; 2 prisoners; 24 privates.
_Blue Yawl_--George Passmore, Master; Cunningham, Boatswain; Innes,
Surgeon's Mate; Fenwick, Midshipman; Pycroft, Midshipman; 3 prisoners; 15
privates.
[77-1] Tree Island.
[77-2] Now called Prince of Wales' Channel or Flinders Channel. It is the
best Channel through Torres Straits, and, if Edwards' narrative had been
published his discovery would doubtless have been perpetuated in his
name.
[77-3] Horn Island.
[77-4] Dingoes.
[77-5] North West Reef.
[78-1] Like Bligh's men, they wetted their shirts in salt water to cool
themselves by evaporation, but found that the absorption through the skin
tainted the fluids of the body with salt so that the saliva became
intolerable in the mouth. The young bore the want of water better than
the old, but all alike became excessively irritable.
[80-1] This hospitality was not extended to the prisoners, who were
confined in irons in the castle, and fed on bad provisions. But on the
passage to Batavia in the _Rembang_ they had worse in store, for the ship
was partially dismasted in a cyclone, and would certainly have gone
ashore but for the exertions of the English passengers. The prisoners
took their turn at the pumps with the rest, and when their strength gave
out, they were put in irons and allowed to rest upon a wet sail soaked
with the drainings of a pig-stye under which it was spread. At Batavia
Edwards distributed the purchase-money of the tender among his people to
enable them to buy clothes, and the prisoners, having their hands at
liberty, made suits and hats for the _Pandora's_ crew, and so were able
to buy clothes of their own.
A VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD.[91-1]
BY GEORGE HAMILTON, SURGEON OF THE _PANDORA_.
GOVERNMENT having resolved to bring to punishment the mutineers of His
Majesty's late ship _Bounty_, and to survey the Straits of Endeavour, to
facilitate a passage to Botany Bay, on the 10th of August 1790, appointed
Captain Edward Edwards to put in commission at Chatham, and take command
of the _Pandora_ Frigate of twenty-four guns, and a hundred and sixty
men.
A great naval armament then equipping retarded our progress, and
prevented that particular attention to the choice of men which their
Lordships so much wished; as contagion here crept amongst us from
infected clothing, the fatal effects of which we discovered, and severely
experienced, in the commencement of the voyage.
Every thing necessary being completed, and an additional complement of
naval stores, received for the refitment of the _Bounty_; dropped down to
Sheerness, saluted Admiral Dalrymple, payed the same compliments to Sir
Richard King, in passing the Downs, arrived at Portsmouth, and found
there Lord Howe with the Union Flag at the main, and the proudest navy
that ever graced the British seas under his command.
Here the officers and men received six months pay in advance, and after
receiving their final orders, got the time-keeper on board, weighed
anchor, and proceeded to sea.
As the white cliffs of Albion receded from our view alternate hopes and
fears took possession of our minds, wafting the last kind adieu to our
native soil.
We pursued our voyage with a favourable breeze; but _Pandora_ now seemed
inclined to shed her baneful influence among us, and a malignant fever
threatened much havoc, as in a few days thirty-five men were confined to
their beds, and unfortunately Mr. Innes, the Surgeon's only mate, was
among the first taken ill; what rendered our situation still more
distressing, was the crowded state of the ship being filled to the
hatchways with stores and provisions, for, like weevils, we had to eat a
hole in our bread, before we had a place to lay down in; every officer's
cabin, the Captain's not excepted, being filled with provisions and
stores. Our sufferings were much encreased, for want of room to
accommodate our sick, notwithstanding every effort of the Captain that
humanity could suggest.
In this sickly lumbered state, near the latitude of Madeira, we observed
a sail bearing down upon us: from her appearance and manoeuvres, we had
every reason to believe she was a ship of war; and a rumour of a Spanish
war prevailing when we left England, rendered it necessary to clear ship
for action; as soon as our guns were run out, and all hands at quarters,
got along side of her, when she proved His Majesty's Ship, _Shark_, sent
out with orders of recall to Admiral Cornish, who had sailed for the West
Indies a few days before we left Spithead.
This little disaster deranged us much, having at the same time bad
weather, attended with heavy thunder squals. The Peek of Teneriff now
began to shew his venerable crest, towering above the clouds; and in two
days more came to an anchor in the road of Santa Cruz, but did not
salute, as the Commandant had not authority to return it.
Immediately on our arrival we were boarded by the Port-master, by whom we
learnt they had been in much apprehension of a disagreeable visit from
the English, but were happy to hear that matters were amicably settled
between the Courts of Madrid and St. James's.
With respect to site nothing can be more beautifully picturesque than the
town of Santa Cruz. It stands in the centre of a spacious bay, on a
gentle acclivity surrounded with retiring hills, and the noble promontory
of the Peek rising majestically behind it, dignifies the scene beyond
description, being continually diversified with every vicissitude of the
surrounding atmosphere, emerging and retiring thro' the fleecy clouds,
from the bottom of the mountain to its summit.
All the circumjacent hills on the margin of the beach are tufted with
little forts, and barbett batteries, forming an Esplanade round the bay,
affords a most agreeable landscape. The houses being all painted white,
pretty regularly built, and standing on a rising ground, raises one
street above another, and heightens the scene from the water; to which
the Governor's garden contributes much to beautify the town.
In the centre of the principal square, is a well built fountain,
continually playing, which, in a warm climate, has a desirable cooling
effect. There is but one church, which contains a few indifferent
paintings.
The inhabitants are civil, but reserved, and the inquisition being on the
island, spreads a gloomy distrust on the countenance of the people.
The troops are miserably cloathed, and poverty and superstition lord it
wide. The wines of this place, from a late improvement in the vines, are
equal to the second kind of Madeira, and I cannot pass over this subject
without making honourable mention of the candour of Mr. Rooney our wine
merchant.
Here we completed our water from an acqueduct admirably constructed for
the convenience of the shipping, and after receiving on board lemons,
oranges, pomegranates, and bananas, with every variety of fruits and
other refreshments with which this island most plentifully abounds,
proceeded again on our voyage.
The fever that prevailed on our leaving England became now pretty
general, and almost every man had it in turn, and as we approached the
line many of the convalescents had a relapse, but the Lords of the
Admirality, previous to our sailing, had supplied us with such unbounded
liberality in every thing necessary for the preservation of the seamens'
health, that I may venture to say many lives were saved from their
bounty, and I should be wanting in my duty to their Lordships, as well as
the community, was I to pass over in silence the uncommon good effects we
experienced from supplying the sick and convalescent with tea and sugar;
this being the first time it has ever been introduced into his Majesty's
service; but it is an article in life that has crept into such universal
use, in all orders of society, that it needs no comment of mine to
recommend it. It may, however, be easily conceived that it will be sought
with more avidity by those whose aliment consists chiefly in animal food,
and that always salt, and often of the worst kind. Their bread too is
generally mixed with oatmeal, and of a hot drying nature. Scarcity of
water is a calamity to which seafaring people are always subject; and it
is an established fact, that a pint of tea will satiate thirst more than
a quart of water. But when sickness takes place, a loathing of all animal
food follows; then tea becomes their sole existence, and that which can
be conveyed to them as natural food will be taken with pleasure, when
any slip slop, given as drink, will be rejected with disgust. Suffice it
to say, that Quarter-masters, and real good seamen have ever been
observed to be regular in cooking their little pot of tea or coffee, and
in America seamen going long voyages, always make it an article in their
agreement to be supplied with tea and sugar.
The air now becoming intolerably hot, and to evacuate the foul air from
below where the people slept, had recourse to Mr. White's new ventilator,
but found little benefit from it; not from any fault in the machine, but
from the crowded state of the ship, it was impossible to throw a current
of air into those places where it was most wanted, but by the addition of
a flexible leather tube, like a water engine, it might be rendered of the
utmost importance to the service, as in tenders' press-holds, and in
line-of-battle ships at sea, when the lower deck ports cannot be opened;
where often the jail fever, and all the calamities that attend human
nature in crowded situations, are engendered, that might be entirely
obviated by Mr. White's ingenious machine. I should beg to recommend
wheels to be substituted for legs to it, for its easier conveyance from
one part of the ship to the other, and that he would sacrifice beauty to
strength, as a slight mahogany jim crack is not well calculated to the
severity of heat we are exposed to, in climates where it is most wanted.
There were now many water spouts about the ship, at which we fired
several guns: the thermometer fluctuated between seventy-nine and eighty,
and without any thing worthy of remark, in the common occurrence of
things at sea, on the twenty-eight of December saw the land of the
Brazils, and in two days saluted the fort at Rio Janiero with fifteen
guns, which was immediately returned.
On our coming to anchor, an officer came to acquaint the Captain, that a
party of soldiers should be sent on board of us, agreeable to their
custom, which was most peremptorily denied as inadmissable with the
dignity of the British flag, nor would Captain Edwards go on shore to pay
his respects to the Vice Roy, till that etiquete was settled, that his
boat should not be boarded.
After the usual compliments were paid the Vice Roy, his suit of carriages
were ordered to attend the British officers, and Monsieur le Font, the
Surgeon-General, who spoke English with ease and fluency, shewed us every
mark of politeness and attention on the occasion, in carrying us through
the principal streets, then visited the public gardens, built by the late
Vice Roy, and laid out with much taste and expence. All the extremity of
the garden is a fine terrace which commands a view of the water, and is
frequented by people of fashion, as their Grand Mall: at each end of the
terrace there is an octagonal built room, superbly furnished, where
merendas[96-1] are sometimes given. On the pannels are painted the
various productions and commerce of South America, representing the
diamond fishery, the process of the indigo trade. The rice grounds and
harvest, sugar plantation, South Sea whale fishery, &c. these were
interspersed with views of the country, and the quadrupedes that inhabit
those parts. The ceilings contained all the variety, the one of the fish,
the other of the fowl of that continent. The copartments of the ceiling
of the one room was enriched in shell work, with all the variegated
shells of that country, and in the copartments are delineated all the
variety of fish that the coast of South America produces. The other
copartment is enriched with feathers and so inimitably blended as to
produce the happiest effect. In this ceiling is painted all the birds
and fowls of the country, in all their splendid elegance of plumage. The
sofas and furniture are rich in the extreme: and in this elegant recess,
an idle traveller may have an agreeable lounge, and at one view
comprehend the whole natural history of this vast continent. In the
centre of the terrace there is a Jet d'eau, in form of a large palm-tree,
made of copper, which at pleasure may be made to spout water from the
extremity of all the leaves. This tree stands on a well disposed grotto,
which rises from the gravel walk below to the level of the terrace, and
terminates the view of the principal walk. Near the foot of the grotto
two large aligators, made of copper, are continually discharging water
into a handsome bason of white marble, filled with gold and silver
fishes.
There are fine orangeries, and lofty covered arbours in different parts
of the garden, capable of containing a thousand people. Here the cyprian
nymphs hold their nocturnal revels; but intrigue is attended with great
danger, as the stilletto is in general use, and assassination frequent,
the men being of a jealous sanguinary turn, and the women fond of
gallantry, who never appear in public unveiled. When Bougainville, the
French circumnavigator called here, his chaplain was assassinated in an
affray of that kind; but since that accident, orders were given that a
commissioned officer should attend all foreign officers, and a soldier
the privates; and all strangers, on landing, are conducted to the main
guard for their escort. This answers a double purpose, as they are much
afraid of strangers smuggling or carrying money out of the country, under
the mask of personal protection, every motion is watched and scrutinized,
nor can you purchase any thing of a merchant, till he has settled with
the officer of the police how much he shall exact for his goods; so you
have always the satisfaction of being rob'd as the act directs.
The trade of this country is much cramped by the improper policy of the
mother country; for although it abounds with every thing that the earth
produces, wealth is far from being diffusive, and a spirit for revolt
seems to prevail amongst them; but they were rather premature in
business, a conspiracy being detected whilst we were there, many of the
first people in the country thrown into dungeons, a strong guard put over
them, and all intercourse denied them. But in order to check that spirit
of rebellion among the colonists, a regiment of black slaves is now
embodied, who will be very ready to bear arms against their oppressive
masters; but should a revolution in South America take place, which
sooner or later must eventually happen, some of our South Sea discoveries
would then prove an advantageous situation for a little British colony.
All public works are done here by slaves in chains, who perform a kind of
plaintive melancholy dirge in recitative, to sooth their unavailing toil,
which, with the accompanyment of the clanking of their irons, is the real
voice of wo, and attunes the soul to sympathy and compassion, more than
the most elaborate piece of music.
The troops are remarkably well cloathed, and in fine order, both infantry
and cavalry; the horses are small, but spirited, and tournaments
frequently performed as the favourite amusement of the inhabitants, at
which the cavaliers display a wonderful share of address.
The town is large, built of stone, and the streets very regular; there
are several handsome churches, monasteries, and nunneries, and contains
about forty thousand inhabitants; but, like the old town of Edinburgh,
each floor contains a distinct family, and of course liable to the same
inconveniencies, cleanliness being none of its most shining virtues.
The officers of the army shewed us uncommon kindness, and made us some
presents of red bird skins for the savages we were going amongst.
I cannot, in words, bestow sufficient panegyric on the laudable exertions
of my worthy messmates, Lieutenants Corner and Hayward, for their
unremitting zeal in procuring and nursing such plants as might be useful
at Otaheitee or the islands we might discover.
We now took leave of our friends here, and it was with some regret, as it
was bidding adieu to civilized life, for a very undetermined space of
time. Lieutenant Hayward having finished his astronomical observations on
shore, came on board with the time-keeper and instruments, and again
proceeded on our voyage, on the morning of January 8, 1791. In running
down the coast of the Brazils, saw several spermacæti whales, and vessels
employed on that fishery. Could it have been accomplished in the month of
January, it was intended to take in a supply of water at New-Year's
harbour, but the season was too far advanced. The weather now became
cold, and the health of the people mended apace: passed by the straits of
Magellan, and on the 31st of January saw Cape St. Juan, Staten Island,
and New-Year's Island. The thermometer was at 48 degrees. We were
fortunate enough to weather the tempestuous regions of Cape Horn, without
any thing remarkable happening, although late in the season.
The weather, as we advanced, became now exceedingly pleasant, and the
many good things with which we were supplied, began to have a wonderful
good effect on the strength of our convalescents. I here beg the reader's
indulgence for a small digression on the health of the seamen, as it is a
subject of much national importance, and those voyages the only test of
what is found to succeed best, my duty leads me to the attempt, however
unequal to the task:
It may be remarked, the sour Crout kept during the voyage, in the highest
perfection, and was often eat as a sallad with vinegar, in preference to
recent, cut vegetables from the shore. A cask of this grand antiscorbutic
was kept open for the crew to eat as much of as they pleased; and I will
venture to affirm, that it will answer every purpose that can be expected
from the vegetable kingdom.
The Essence of Malt afforded a most delightful beverage, and, with the
addition of a little hops, in the warmest climates, made as good strong
beer as we could in England. We were likewise supplied with malt in
grain, but should prefer the essence, as it is less liable to decay, and
stows in much less room, which is a very valuable consideration in long
voyages.
Cocoa we found great benefit from; it is much relished by the men, stows
in little room, and affords great nourishment. At the close of the war in
1783, in the West Indies, men that had been the whole war on salt
provisions, from a liberal use of the cocoa, got fat and strong, and in
the _Agamemnon_ we had five hundred men who had served most of the war on
salt provisions; but after the cocoa was introduced, we had not a sick
man on board till the day she was paid off. Indeed it is the only article
of nourishment in sea victualling; for what can in reason be expected
from beef or pork after it has been salted a year or two?
Wheat we found answer extremely well, rough ground in a mill occasionally
as we wanted it, and with the addition of a little brown sugar, it made a
pleasant nourishing diet, of which the men were extremely fond. Another
great advantage attending it, that it does not require half the quantity
of water that pease do.
Soft bread was found extremely beneficial to the sick and convalescent,
and we availed ourselves of every opportunity of baking for half the
complement at a time. As the flour keeps so much longer sound than
biscuit, it may be needless to remark its superior advantages; besides,
it is not liable to be damaged by water or otherwise, so much as bread,
as a crust forms outside, which protects the rest. In point of stowage it
likewise is preferable.
As the fate of every expedition of this kind depends much on the exertion
of the subordinate departments of office, the thanks of every individual
in the _Pandora_ is due to Mr. Cherry, for his uncommon attention to the
victualling.
The dividing the people into three watches had a double good effect as it
gave them longer time to sleep, and dry themselves before they turned in;
and as most of our crew consisted of landsmen, the fewer people being on
deck at a time, rendered it necessary to exert themselves more in
learning their duty.
The air became now temperate, mild, and agreeable; but unfortunately we
sprung a leak in the after part of the ship, which reached the bread
room, and damaged much of it, as one thousand five hundred and fifteen
pounds were thrown over-board, and a great deal much injured, that we
kept for feeding the cattle. Many blue Peterals were seen flying about,
and on the 4th of March saw Easter Island. We now set the forge to work,
and the armourers were busily employed in making knives and iron work to
trade with the savages. On the 16th we discovered a Lagoon Island of
about three or four miles extent; it was well wooded, but had no
inhabitants, and was named Ducie's Island, in honour of Lord Ducie.
On the 17th we discovered another Island, about five or six miles long,
with a great many trees on it, but was not inhabited: this was called
Lord Hood's Island.
On the 19th we discovered an Island of the same description as the
former, which was named Carrisfort Island, in honour of Lord Carrisfort.
On the 22nd passed Maitea, and on the morning of the 23rd of March
anchored in Matavy bay, in the Island of Otaheitee. In the dawn of the
morning, a native immediately on seeing us, paddled off in his canoe, and
came on board, who shewed expressions of joy to a degree of madness, on
embracing and saluting us, by whom we learnt that several of the
mutineers were on the island; but that Mr. Christian and nine men had
left Otaheitee long since in the _Bounty_, and amused the natives, by
telling them Captain Bligh had gone to settle at Whytutakee, and that
Captain Cook was living there. Language cannot express his surprise on
Lieutenant Hayward's being introduced to him, who had been purposely
concealed.
At eleven in the forenoon the Launch and Pinnance was dispatched with
Lieutenants Corner and Hayward and twenty-six men, to the north west part
of the island, in quest of mutineers. Immediately on our arrival, Joseph
Coleman, the armourer of the _Bounty_, came on board, and a little after
the two midshipmen belonging to the _Bounty_; at three Richard Skinner
came off, and on the 25th the boats returned, after chasing the mutineers
on shore, and taking possession of their boat. As they had taken to the
heights, and claimed the protection of Tamarrah, a great chief in Papara,
who was the proper king of Otaheitee, the present family of Ottoo being
usurpers, and who intended, had we not arrived with the assistance of the
_Bounty's_ people, to have disputed the point with Ottoo.
On the twenty-seventh we sent the Pinnace with a present of a bottle of
rum to king Ottoo, who was with his two queens at Tiaraboo, requesting
the honour of his company, but the bottle of rum removed all scruples,
and next day the royal family paid us a visit, and in his suit came
Oedidy, a chief particularly noticed by Captain Cook.
On the first visit they make it a point of honour of accepting of no
present; but they make sufficient amends for that, by introducing a
numerous train of dependents afterwards, to obtain presents.
The King is a tall handsome looking man, about six feet three inches
high, good natured, and affable in his manners. His principal queen,
Edea, is a robust looking, course woman, about thirty, and was extremely
solicitous in learning and adopting our customs, and on hearing our
English ladies drank tea, became very fond of it. The other queen, or
concubine, named Aeredy, is a pretty young creature, about sixteen years
of age: they all three sleep together, and live in the most perfect
harmony.
A detachment of men were immediately ordered, under the command of
Lieutenant Corner, to march across the country, and if possible to get
between the mountains and the mutineers; this gentleman was extremely
well calculated for an expedition of this kind, having, in the early part
of his life, bore a commission in the land service, and next morning they
landed on Point Venus, attended by the principal chiefs as conductors,
and a number of the common people to assist in carrying the ammunition
over the heights: what rendered their assistance more necessary, was
their having to cross a rapid cataract, or river, which came down from
the mountains, and formed so many curves. They had to ford it sixteen
times in the course of their journey, which gave evident proofs of the
superior strength of the natives over the English seamen. The former went
over with ease, where the sailors could not stem the rapidity of the
torrent without their help. They were, however, forced to send to the
ship for ropes and tackles to gain some heights which were otherwise
inaccessible.
On the party coming to a rest, the Lieutenant expressed a wish to one of
the natives for something to eat, who told him he might be supplied with
plenty of victuals ready dressed; he immediately ran to a temple, or
place of worship, where meat was regularly served to their god, and came
running with a roasted pig, that had been presented that day. This
striking instance of impiety rather startled the Lieutenant, which the
other easily got over, by saying there was more left than the god could
eat.
It was with much difficulty they could restrain the natives from
committing depredations on the Cava grounds of the upper districts, as
they were on the eve of a war with them respecting the hereditary right
of the crown.
The party now arrived at the residence of a great chief, who received
them with much hospitality and kindness; and after refreshing them with
plenty of meat and drink, carried the officer to visit the Morai of the
dead chief, his father. Mr. Corner judging it necessary, by every mark of
attention, to gain the good graces of this great man, ordered his party
to draw up, and fire three vollies over the deceased, who was brought out
in his best new cloaths, on the occasion; but the burning cartridge from
one of the muskets, unfortunately set fire to the paper cloaths of the
dead chief. This unlucky disaster threw the son into the greatest
perplexity, as agreeable to their laws, should the corpse of his father
be stolen away, or otherwise destroyed, he forfeits his title and estate,
and it descends to the next heir.
There was at the same time a party embarked by water, under the command
of Lieutenant Hayward, who took with him some of the principal chiefs,
amongst whom was Oedidy, before mentioned by Captain Cook, who went a
voyage with him, but fell into disrepute amongst them, from affirming he
had seen water in a solid form; alluding to the ice. He also took with
him one Brown, an Englishman, that had been left on shore by an American
vessel that had called there, for being troublesome on board: but
otherwise a keen, penetrating, active fellow, who rendered many eminent
services, both in this expedition and the subsequent part of the voyage.
He had lived upwards of twelve months amongst the natives, adopted
perfectly their manners and customs, even to the eating of raw fish, and
dipping his roast pork into a cocoa nut shell of salt water, according to
their manner, as substitute for salt. He likewise avoided all intercourse
and communication with the _Bounty's_ people, by which means necessity
forced him to gain a pretty competent knowledge of their language; and
from natural complexion was much darker than any of the natives.
Captain Edwards had taken every possible means of gaining the friendship
of Tamarrah, the great prince of the upper district, by sending him very
liberal presents, which effectually brought him over to our interest. The
mutineers were now cut off from every hope of resource; the natives were
harrassing them behind, and Mr. Hayward and his party advancing in front;
under cover of night they had taken shelter in a hut in the woods, but
were discovered by Brown, who creeping up to the place where they were
asleep, distinguished them from the natives by feeling their toes; as
people unaccustomed to wear shoes are easily discovered from the spread
of their toes. Next day Mr. Hayward attacked them, but they grounded
their arms without opposition; their hands were bound behind their back
and sent down to the boat under a strong guard.
During the whole business there was only two natives killed; one was shot
in the dusk of the evening, two nights before the people surrendered, by
one of the centinels, who had his musket twice beat out of his hand from
the natives pelting our party with large stones; but the instant he was
shot, some of his friends rushed in and carried off the corpse.
The other native was shot by the mutineers; when attacked by the natives
they took to a river; a stone being thrown by one of the natives at the
wife, or woman, of one of the mutineers, enraged him so much, that he
immediately shot the offender.
A prison was built for their accommodation on the quarter deck, that they
might be secure, and apart from our ship's company; and that it might
have every advantage of a free circulation of air, which rendered it the
most desirable place in the ship. Orders were likewise given that they
should be victualled, in every respect in the same as the ship's company,
both in meat, liquor, and all the extra indulgencies with which we were
so liberally supplied, notwithstanding the established laws of the
service, which restricts prisoners to two-thirds allowance: but Captain
Edwards very humanely commiserated with their unhappy and inevitable
length of confinement. Oripai, the king's brother, a discerning,
sensible, and intelligent chief, discovered a conspiracy amongst the
natives on shore to cut our cables should it come to blow hard from the
sea. This was more to be dreaded, as many of the prisoners were married
to the most respectable chiefs' daughters in the district opposite to
where we lay at anchor; in particular one, who took the name of Stewart,
a man of great possession in landed property, near Matavy Bay: a
gentleman of that name belonging to the _Bounty_ having married his
daughter, and he, as his friend and father-in law, agreeable to their
custom, took his name.
Ottoo the king, his two brothers, and all the principal chiefs, appeared
extremely anxious for our safety; and after the prisoners were on board,
kept watch during the night; were always keeping a sharp look out upon
our cables, and continually spurring the centinels to be careful in their
duty. The prisoners' wives visited the ship daily and brought their
children, who were permitted to be carried to their unhappy fathers. To
see the poor captives in irons, weeping over their tender offspring, was
too moving a scene for any feeling heart. Their wives brought them ample
supplies of every delicacy that the country afforded while we lay there,
and behaved with the greatest fidelity and affection to them.
Next day the king, his two queens, and retinue, came on board to pay us a
formal visit, preceded by a band of music. The ladies had about sixty or
seventy yards of Otaheitee cloth wrapt round them, and were so bulky and
unwieldy with it, they were obliged to be hoisted on board like horn
cattle: hogs, cocoa-nuts, bananas, a rich sort of peach, and a variety of
ready dressed puddings and victuals, composed their present to the
Captain.
As soon as they were on board, the Captain debarassoit the ladies, by
rolling their linen round his middle; an indispensable ceremony here in
receiving a present of cloth: and Medua, wife to Oripai, the king's
brother, took a great liking to the Captain's laced coat, which he
immediately put on her with much gallantry; and that beautiful princess
seemed much elated with her new finery. I cannot ommit a circumstance of
this lady's attachment to dress. There was a custom which had prevailed
for a long time, to present the god with all red feathers that could be
procured; but thinking she would become red feathers full as well as his
godship, immediately employed all her domestics making them up into fly
flaps, and other personal ornaments, to prevent the altar making a
monopoly of all the good things, in this, as well as in other countries.
A grand Hæva was next day ordered for our entertainment ashore, on Point
Venus, and on our landing we were preceded by a band of music, and led to
where the king and his levee were in waiting to receive us. The course
was soon cleared by the chiefs, and the entertainment began by two men,
who vied with each other in filthy lascivious attitudes, and frightful
distortions of their mouths. These having performed their part, two
ladies, pretty fancifully dressed, as described in Captain Cook's
Voyages, were introduced after a little ceremony. Something resembling a
turkey-cock's tail, and stuck on their rumps in a fan kind of fashion,
about five feet in diameter, had a very good effect while the ladies kept
their faces to us; but when in a bending attitude, they presented their
rumps, to shew the wonderful agility of their loins; the effect is better
conceived than described. After half an hour's hard exercise, the dear
creatures had remüé themselves into a perfect fureur, and the piece
concluded by the ladies exposing that which is better felt than seen;
and, in that state of nature, walked from the bottom of the theatre to
the top where we were sitting on the grass, till they approached just by
us, and then we complimented them in bowing, with all the honours of war.
These accomplishments are so much prized amongst them that girls come
from the interior parts of the country to the court residence, for
improvement in the Hæva, just as country gentlemen send their daughters
to London boarding-schools.
This may well be called the Cytheria of the southern hemisphere, not only
from the beauty and elegance of the women, but their being so deeply
versed in, and so passionately fond of the Eleusinian mysteries; and what
poetic fiction has painted of Eden, or Arcadia, is here realized, where
the earth without tillage produces both food and cloathing, the trees
loaded with the richest of fruit, the carpet of nature spread with the
most odoriferous flowers, and the fair ones ever willing to fill your
arms with love.
It affords a happy instance of contradicting an opinion propagated by
philosophers of a less bountiful soil, who maintain that every virtuous
or charitable act a man commits, is from selfish and interrested views.
Here human nature appears in more amiable colours, and the soul of man,
free from the gripping hand of want, acts with a liberality and bounty
that does honour to his God.
A native of this country divides every thing in common with his friend,
and the extent of the word friend, by them, is only bounded by the
universe, and was he reduced to his last morsel of bread, he cheerfully
halves it with him; the next that comes has the same claim, if he wants
it, and so in succession to the last mouthful he has. Rank makes no
distinction in hospitality; for the king and beggar relieve each other in
common.
The English are allowed by the rest of the world, and I believe with some
degree of justice, to be a generous, charitable people; but the
Otaheiteans could not help bestowing the most contemptuous word in their
language upon us, which is, Peery Peery, or Stingy.
In becoming the Tyo, or friend of a man, it is expected you pay him a
compliment, by cherishing his wife; but, being ignorant of that ceremony,
I very innocently gave high offence to Matuara, the king of York Island,
to whom I was introduced as his friend: a shyness took place on the side
of his Majesty, from my neglect to his wife; but, through the medium of
Brown the interpreter, he put me in mind of my duty, and on my promising
my endeavours, matters were for that time made up. It was to me, however,
a very serious inauguration: I was, in the first place, not a young man,
and had been on shore a whole week; the lady was a woman of rank, being
sister to Ottoo, the king of Otaheitee, and had in her youth been
beautiful, and named Peggy Ottoo. She is the right hand dancing figure so
elegantly delineated in Cook's Voyages. But Peggy had seen much service,
and bore away many honourable scars in the fields of Venus. However, his
Majesty's service must be done, and Matuara and I were again friends. He
was a domesticated man, and passionately fond of his wife and children;
but now became pensive and melancholy, dreading the child should be
Piebald; though the lady was six months advanced in her pregnancy before
we came to the island.
The force of friendship amongst those good creatures, will be more fully
understood from the following circumstance: Churchhill, the principal
ringleader of the mutineers, on his landing, became the Tyo, or friend,
of a great chief in the upper districts. Some time after the chief
happening to die without issue, his title and estate, agreeable to their
law from Tyoship, devolved on Churchhill, who having some dispute with
one Thomson of the _Bounty_, was shot by him. The natives immediately
rose, and revenged the death of Churchhill their chief, by killing
Thomson, whose skull was afterwards shown to us, which bore evident marks
of fracture.
Oedidy, although perfectly devoted to our interest, on being appointed
one of the guides in the expedition against the mutineers, expressed
great horror at the act he was going to commit, in betraying his friend,
being Tyo to one of them.
They are much less addicted to thieving than when Capt. Cook visited
them; and when things were stolen, by applying to the magistrate of the
district, the goods were immediately returned; for, like every other well
regulated police, the thief and justice were of one gang.
Sometimes we slightly punished the offenders, by cutting off their hair.
A beautiful young creature, who lived at the Observatory with one of our
young gentlemen, slipped out of bed from him in the night, and stole all
his linen. She was punished for the theft, by shaving one of her
eye-brows, and half of the hair off her head. She immediately run into
the woods, and used to come once or twice a day to the tent, to request
looking at herself in the glass; but the grotesque figure she cut, with
one side entirely bald, made her shriek out, and run into the woods to
shun society.
With respect to agriculture, in a soil where nature has done so much,
little is left to human industry; but had there been occasion for it,
abilities would not be wanting. It is much to be lamented, that the
endeavours of the philanthropic Sir Joseph Banks were frustrated, by
their razing of every thing which he took so much pains to rear amongst
them, a few shaddocks excepted. Tobacco and cotton have escaped their
ravage; and they are much mortified that they cannot eradicate it from
their grounds: but were a handloom on a simple construction, as used by
the natives of Java, introduced amongst them, they could soon turn their
cotton to good account. An instance of their ingenuity and imitative
powers in matting, was a thing perfectly unknown amongst them till
Captain Cook introduced it from Anamooka, one of the Friendly Isles: but
in that branch of manufacture they now far surpass their original. They
have likewise abundance of fine sugarcanes, growing spontaneously all
over the island, from which rum and sugar might be extracted. Indeed an
attempt was made by Coleman, the armourer of the _Bounty_, who made a
still, and succeeded; but, dreading the effects of intoxication, both
amongst themselves and the natives, very wisely put an end to his labours
by breaking the still.
Captain Bligh has likewise planted Indian corn, from which much may be
expected. On our landing, as soon as public business of more importance
would permit, our gentlemen were indefatigable in laying out a piece of
garden ground, and ditching it round. Lemons, oranges, limes,
pine-apples, plants of the coffee tree, with all the lesser class of
things, as onions, lettuces, peas, cabbages, and every thing necessary
for culinary purposes, were planted.
In order that they might not meet the same fate of the things planted by
Sir Joseph Banks, Captain Edwards made use of every stratagem to make the
chiefs fond of the oranges and limes, by dipping them in sugar, to cover
the acid before it be presented to them to eat. Messrs. Corner and
Hayward were equally zealous in using the most persuasive arguments with
the chiefs to take care of our garden, and rear and propagate the plants
when we were gone; to all which they lent a deaf ear, and treated the
subject with much levity, saying, they might be very good to us, but that
they were already plentifully supplied with every thing they wished or
wanted, and had not occasion for more. But on the Lieutenant's
representing, that if, on our return, they could supply us with plenty of
such articles as we left with them, they in exchange would receive
hatchets, knives, and red cloth, they seemed more favourably inclined to
our project; and I have no doubt but that some after navigators will reap
the benefit of their industry.
The Bread-fruit, although the most delicate and nourishing food upon
earth, is, with people like them, liable to inconveniencies; for in such
a group or Archipelago of islands, whose inhabitants are in such various
gradations of refinement, from the gentle and polished Otaheitean, to the
savage and cannibal Feegee, a war amongst them is often attended with
devastation as well as famine. By cutting round the bark of the
Bread-fruit tree, a whole country may be laid waste for four or five
years, young trees not bearing in less time. Crops, such as Indian corn,
English wheat and peas, that have been left amongst them, can in time of
war be stored in granaries on the top of their almost inaccessible
mountains.
While speaking of the Bread-fruit tree, I can exemplify my subject from
what happened to an island contiguous to Otaheite, whose coast abounded
with fine fish; and the Otaheitans, being themselves too lazy to catch
them, destroyed all the Bread-fruit trees on this little island; by which
act of policy, they are obliged to send over boats with fish regularly to
market, to be supplied with bread in barter from Otaheite. To this island
they likewise send their wives, thinking they become fair by living on
fish, and low diet. They also send boys for the same reason, whom they
keep for abominable purposes.
As to the religion of this country, it is difficult for me to define it.
Their tenets, although equally ignorant of heathen mythology or
theological intricacies, seem to partake of both; and, like other nations
in the early ages of society, are rendered subservient to political
purposes, as by the machinery of deification the person of the king is
sacred and inviolable. Notwithstanding the king be a broad shouldered
strapping fellow, three sturdy stallions of _cecisbeos_, or lords in
waiting, are kept for the particular amusement of the queen, when his
majesty is in his cups. Yet the royal issue is always declared to be
sprung from the immortal Gods; and the heir-apparent, during his
minority, is put under the tuition of the high priest. Their God is
supposed to be omnipresent, and is worshipped in spirit, idolatry not
being known amongst them. The sacred mysteries are only known to the
priests or augurs, the king, princes, and great chiefs, the common people
only serving as victims, or to fill up the pageantry of a religious
procession. One of our gentlemen expressing a wish to the high priest,
of carrying from amongst them that God whose altars craved so much human
blood, he, like a true priest, had his subterfuge ready, by saying, there
were more of the same family in the other islands, from whence they could
easily be supplied. On all great occasions, each district sends a male
victim; and the island containing forty districts, it may be presumed the
mortality is great. Between the sacrifices and the ravages of war, a
preponderating number of females must have taken place; to counteract
which, a law passed, that every other female child should be put to death
at birth; and the husband always officiating as acoucheur to his wife,
the child is destroyed as soon as the sex is discovered.
The absurdity of this inhuman law is now pretty evident. Women are become
more scarce, and set a higher value on their charms, which occasions many
desperate battles amongst them. Some with fractured skulls were sent on
board of us, which had been got in amorous affrays of that kind.
It may naturally be supposed, that people of such gentle natures make no
conspicuous figure in the theatre of war.
Their war-canoes are very large, on which a platform is placed, capable
of containing from a hundred and fifty to two hundred men. But their
taste in decorating the prow of their men of war, plainly indicates they
are more versed in the fields of Venus than Mars, every man of war having
a figure head of the god Priapus, with a preposterous insignia of his
order; the sight of which never fails to excite great glee and good
humour amongst the ladies.
It is customary with those nations at war, that the treaty of peace be
confirmed by the conquerors sending a certain number of their women to
cohabit with the nation that is vanquished, in order to conciliate their
affection by a bond more lasting than wax and parchment. It was the
unhappy lot of Otaheite to be overcome by a nation whose women were too
masculine for them; they being accustomed to the amorous dalliance of
their own beautiful females, were averse to familiar intercourse with
strangers. The ladies returned with all the rage of disappointed women,
and the war was renewed with all its horrors.
They are well acquainted with the bow and arrow, but use it as an
amusement. The only missive weapons they use are the sling and spear.
They have now amongst them about twenty stand of arms, and two hundred
rounds of powder and ball. They can take a musket to pieces, and put it
up again; are good marksmen, take proper care of their arms and
ammunition; and are highly sensible of the superior advantage it gives
them over the neighbouring nations.
In the preparing and printing their cloth, the women display a great
share of ingenuity and good taste. Many of their figures were exactly the
patterns which prevailed, as fashionable, when we left England, both
striped and figured. They print their figured cloth by dipping the leaves
in dye-stuffs of different colours, placing them as their fancy directs.
Their cloth is of different texture of fineness, from a stuff of the same
nature in quality as the slightest India paper, to a kind as durable as
some of our cottons; but they will not bear water, and of course become
troublesome and expensive. They are generally made up in bales, running
about two yards broad, and twenty or thirty yards long. We had some
thousands of yards of it sent on board as presents.
Their sumptuary laws, at first sight, may appear severe towards the fair
sex, who are not permitted to eat butchermeat, nor to eat at all, in the
presence of their husbands. It certainly does not convey the most
delicate ideas, to a mind impressed with much sensibility, to see a fine
woman devouring a piece of beef; and those voluptuaries, who may be said
to exist only by their women, would naturally endeavour to remove the
possibility of presupposing a disgusting idea in that object in which all
their happiness centres.
Every woman, the queen and royal family excepted, on the approach of the
king, is denuded down to the waist, and continues so whilst his majesty
is in sight. Should the king enter a woman's house, it is immediately
pulled down. The king is never permitted to help himself with meat or
drink, which makes him a very troublesome visitor, as he is never quiet
whilst a bottle is in sight till he has had the last drop of it.
Their houses are well adapted to the temperate climate they inhabit, and
generally consist of three chambers, the interior one of which the chief
retires to, after he has drank his cava. A profound silence is observed
during his repose; for should they be suddenly awaked, it produces
violent vomiting, and a train of uneasy sensations; but, otherwise, if
undisturbed, it proves a safe anodyne, creates amorous dreams, and a
powerful excitement to venery. In the adjoining chamber, his fair spouse
waits, with eager expectation, to avail herself of the happy moment when
her lord should awake, which is by slow degrees; and he is roused from
Elysium, by her gentle offices, in tenderly embracing every part of his
body, until his ideal scenes of bliss are realised; and when fully sated
with the luscious banquet, they retire to the bath, to gather fresh
vigour for a renewal of similar joys. In this mazy round of chaste
dissipation, the hours glide gently on, and the evening is spent in
dancing to the music of Pan's pipes, the flute, and hæva drum. They then
go to the bath again, and the festivity of the evening is concluded with
a repast of fruit, and young cocoanut milk. The whole village
indiscriminately join the feast; and the demon of rank and precedence,
with their appendages malevolence and envy, has never yet disturbed their
happy board.
Happy would it have been for those people had they never been visited by
Europeans; for, to our shame be it spoken, disease and gunpowder is all
the benefit they have ever received from us, in return for their
hospitality and kindness. The ravages of the venereal disease is evident,
from the mutilated objects so frequent amongst them, where death has not
thrown a charitable veil over their misery, by putting a period to their
existence.
A disease of the consumptive kind has of late made great havoc amongst
them; this they call the British disease, as they have only had it since
their intercourse with the English.
In this complaint they are avoided by society, from a supposition of its
being contagious; and in every old out-house, you will find miserable
objects, for want of medical assistance, abandoned to their wretched
fate. From what we could learn, it generally terminates fatally in ten or
twelve months; but I am led to believe, that in many cases it originates
from the venereal disease.[117-1]
The voice of humanity honour, and justice, calls upon us as a nation to
remedy those evils, by sending some intelligent surgeon to live amongst
them. They at present pant for the pruning-hand of civilization and the
arts; love and adore us as beings of a superior nature, but gently
upbraid us with having left them in the same abject state they were at
first discovered.
We had buoyed many of them up with the hopes of carrying them to England
with us, in order to secure their fidelity and honesty, especially those
who were most useful in our domestic concerns; but on explaining to them
that even bread was not to be obtained in England without labour, they
lost hopes of their favourite voyage.
Large presents were now brought us for our sea-store; and notwithstanding
Mr. Bentham our purser having most liberally supplied the ship with four
pounds of fresh pork per man each day, it made no apparent scarcity;
beside salting some thousand weight, and a prodigious number of goats,
fowls, and other things. Could we have made it convenient to have staid
another week, some cows were promised to have been sent us from a
neighbouring island. Capt. Cook had left with them a horse and mare, a
cow with calf, and a bull; but, from some mistake, they killed a horse
instead of one of the cows, and found it very tough, disagreeable eating,
by which means they were disgusted with all the horned cattle, and drew
an unfavourable conclusion that their meat was all of the same texture.
Had some pains been taken with them, to get the better of a dislike they
have to milk, and explained to them how variously it might be employed as
food, I have no doubt but they would have paid more attention to the
horned cattle. They used to persist in saying that milk was urine; but on
pointing to a woman that was suckling her child, and pushing their own
argument, they seemed convinced of their error. We have left them a goose
and a gander, which they take a great delight in.
Edea, the Queen, endeavoured to conquer that absurd dislike, and at last
became fond of milk in her tea.
A painting of Capt. Cook, done in oil by Webber, which had been delivered
to Capt. Edwards on his first landing, was now returned to them. It is
held by them in the greatest veneration; and I should not be surprised
if, one day or other, divine honours should be paid to it. They still
believe Capt. Cook is living; and their seeing Mr. Bentham our purser,
whom they perfectly recollected as having been the voyage with him, and
spoke their language, will confirm them in that opinion.
The harbour was surveyed by Mr. Geo. Passmore, the master, an able and
experienced officer.
Our officers here, as at Rio Janeiro, showed the most manly and
philanthropic disposition, by giving up their cabins, and sacrificing
every comfort and convenience for the good of mankind, in accommodating
boxes with plants of the Bread-fruit tree, that the laudable intentions
of government might not be frustrated from the loss of his majesty's ship
_Bounty_.
We had now completed our water from an excellent spring, out of a rock
close to the water's edge, at Offaree.
King Ottoo, and his queen Edea, came on board, and were very importunate
in their solicitations to Capt. Edwards, requesting him to take them to
England with him. Aeredy, the concubine, likewise requested the same
favour; but she more generously begged they might all three go together.
But Oripai, and the other chiefs, remonstrated against his going, as they
were on the eve of a war.
We were now perfectly ready for sea; and as Capt. Cook's picture is
presented to all strangers, it is customary for navigators to write their
observations on the back of it; so our arrival and departure was notified
upon it.
The ship was filled with cocoa-nuts and fruit, as many pigs, goats, and
fowls, as the decks and boats would hold. The dismal day of our departure
now arrived. This I believe was the first time that an Englishman got up
his anchor, at the remotest part of the globe, with a heavy heart, to go
home to his own country. Every canoe almost in the island was hovering
round the ship; and they began to mourn, as is customary for the death of
a near relation. They bared their bodies, cut their heads with shells,
and smeared their breasts and shoulders with the warm blood, as it
streamed down; and as the blood ceased flowing, they renewed the wounds
in their head, attended with a dismal yell.
Ottoo now took leave of us; and, with the tears trickling down his
cheeks, begged to be remembered to King George. The tender was put in
commission, and the command of her given to Mr. Oliver the master's mate,
Mr. Renouard a midshipman, James Dodds a quartermaster; and six privates
were put on board of her. She was decked, beautifully built, and the size
of a Gravesend boat.
FOOTNOTES:
[91-1] First printed at Berwick in 1793.
[96-1] Afternoon entertainments.
[117-1] Compare the ravages of the great Lila (wasting sickness) in Fiji,
and the accounts of similar visitations following on the first visit of
an European ship to an insular people. (The Fijians, p. 243).
CHAP. II.
VOYAGE FROM OTAHEITE TO ANAMOOKA.
WITH a pleasant breeze, on the evening of the 8th of May, passed Emea or
York Island, contiguous to, and in sight of Otaheite. It is governed by
Matuara, brother-in-law to Ottoo. It is a pleasant romantic looking spot,
with very high hills upon it, and about twelve miles in circumference.
They were lately attacked by some neighbouring power, and Matuara
requested the lend of a musket from his friend and ally. When peace was
restored, Ottoo sent for his musket. Matuara represented, that as a man,
from a sense of honour, he wished to return it; but that as a king, the
love he bore his subjects prevented him complying with the request. That
single musket, and a few cartridges, gives him no small degree of
consequence, and are retained as the royal dower of his wife.
Next morning we reached Huaheine, and sent the boats on shore in Owharre
Bay. As Oedidy the chief requested to go with us to Whytutakee, he went
on shore with the officers, in their search for intelligence of the
mutineers; but they returned without success.
Here we learned the fate of Omai, the native of Otaheite, whom Captain
Cook brought from England. On his return here he had wealth enough to
obtain every fine woman on the island; and at last fell a martyr to
Venus, having finished his career by the venereal disease, two years
after his landing. His house and garden are still standing; but his
musket occasioned a war after his death, and was found in the possession
of a native of Ulitea. His servant was on board of us, but had not
retained a single article of his property.
On the 10th, we examined Ulitea and Otaha, interchanged presents with the
natives, and landed in Chamanen's Bay; but got no information.
We examined Bolobola on the 11th; and Tatahu, the king, honoured us with
a visit. The people of this island are of a more warlike disposition than
any other of the Society Islands; and on account of that national
ferocity of character, are much caressed by the Otaheitans and
neighbouring islands. They are sensible of their pre-eminence, and boast
of their country, in whatever island you meet them. They are tatooed in a
particular manner; and whether they may have spread their conquests, or
other nations imitated them, I could not learn; but a prodigious number,
in islands we afterwards visited, were tatooed in their fashion. What was
most singular, we saw some with the glans of the penis entirely tatooed;
and our men, from being tatooed in the legs, arms, and breast, places of
much less sensation, were often lame for a week, from the excruciating
torture of the operation. Tatahu likewise informed us there were no white
men on Tubai, a small island to the northward of Bolobola, and under his
jurisdiction; nor upon Mauruah, another island in sight, and to the
westward of Bolobola. He also mentioned another island, which he called
Mopehah. Here Oedidy went on shore; but getting drunk in meeting some of
his old friends, he fell asleep, and lost his passage. On the 12th we
left Mauruah, and on the 13th lost sight of the Society Islands.
Here one of the prisoners begged to speak with the Captain, and gave
information of Mr. Christian's intended rout.
We now shaped our course to fall in to the eastward of Whytutakee, an
island discovered by Capt. Bligh, and on the 19th made the island. We
sent the boat on shore, covered by the tender, to examine it; but found
it a thing impossible for the _Bounty_ to have been there; and the
natives said they had seen no white people. They were very shy, and we
could not coax them on board. One of them recollected having seen Lieut.
Hayward on board the _Bounty_. Here we purchased from the natives a spear
of most exquisite workmanship. It was nine feet long, and cut in the form
of a Gothic spire, all its ornaments being executed in a kind of alto
relievo; which, from the slow progress they made with stone tools, must
have been the labour of a man's whole life.
Here nature begins to assume a ruder aspect; and the silken bands of love
gives way to the rustic garniture of war. The natives of either sex wear
no cloathing, but a girdle of stained leaves round their middle, and the
men a gorget, of the exact shape and size as at present wore by officers
in our service. It is made of the pearl oyster-shell. The centre is
black, and the transparent part of the shell is left as an edge or border
to it, which gives it a very fine effect. It is slung round their neck
with a band of human hair, or the fibres of cocoa nut-shell, of admirable
texture, and a rose worked at each corner of the gorget, the same as the
military jemmy of the present day.
We now began to discover, that the ladies of Otaheite had left us many
warm tokens of their affection.
Instructions were given to the commander of the tender to be particular
in guarding against surprise, and a rendezvous established, in case of
separation; and on Sunday, the 22nd of May, made Palmerston's Islands.
The tender's signal was made to cover the boats in landing; and some
natives were seen rowing across the lagoon to a considerable distance.
Soon after their landing, Lieut. Corner and his party discovered a yard
and some spars marked _Bounty_, and the broad arrow upon them. When this
intelligence was communicated to the ship, a signal was made to the party
on shore to advance with great circumspection, and to guard against
surprise. Mr. Rickards, the master's mate, went in the cutter, and made a
circuit of the island.
Lieuts. Corner and Hayward landed on the different isles with
cork-jackets; but the surf running very high all round, rendered it
exceedingly dangerous, and in many places impracticable. Had they not
been expert swimmers, in duty of this kind, they must have certainly been
drowned, as they had not only themselves and the party to take care of,
but the arms and ammunition to land dry.
About four o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Sival the midshipman came on
board in the jolly-boat, and brought with him several very curious
stained canoes, representing the figure of men, fishes, and beasts. He
had committed some mistake in the orders he was sent to execute, and was
ordered to return immediately to rectify it; but the boat did not come
back again. A few minutes after she left the ship, the weather became
thick and hazy, and began to blow fresh; so that, even with the
assistance of glasses, they could not see whether she made the shore or
not. It continued to blow during the night, so as to prevent the party on
shore from coming on board. They had been employed during the day in
searching all the islands with particular attention, having every reason
to suspect the mutineers were there, from finding the _Bounty's_ yard and
spars. But at last, wore out with fatigue in marching, and swimming
through so many reefs, and having no victuals the whole day, in the
evening they began to forage for something to eat. The gigantic cockle
was the only thing that presented. Of the shell of one they made a
kettle, to boil some junks of it in. (It may be necessary here to remark,
for the information of those who are not acquainted with it, that there
are some of them larger than three men can carry.) Of this coarse fare,
and some cocoa-nuts, they made shift, with the assistance of a good
appetite, to make a tolerable hearty supper; they then set the watch, and
went to sleep. They had thrown a large nut on the fire before they lay
down, and forgot it; but in the middle of the night, the milk of the
cocoa-nut became so expanded with the heat, that it burst with a great
explosion. Their minds had been so much engaged in the course of the day
with the enterprise they were employed in, expecting muskets to be fired
at them from every bush, that they all jumped up, seized their arms, and
were some time before they could undeceive themselves that they were
really not attacked.
In the morning the boats returned; and we were much concerned to hear
that they had seen nothing of the jolly-boat. The tender received a fresh
supply of provisions and ammunition; at the same time they had orders to
cruise in a certain direction, to look for the jolly-boat; and
Palmerston's Isles was appointed as a rendezvous to meet again. Lieut.
Corner now came on board, in a canoe not much bigger than a butcher's
tray. The cutter was sent a second time to search the reefs, but returned
without success. We then run down with the ship in the direction the wind
had blown the preceding day, in hopes of finding the boat; but after a
whole day's run to leeward, and working up again by traverses to the
isles, saw nothing of her. The tender hove in sight in the evening, and
we again searched the isles without success. All further hopes of seeing
her were given up, and we proceeded on our voyage. It may be difficult to
surmise what has been the fate of these unfortunate men. They had a
piece of salt-beef thrown into the boat to them on leaving the ship; and
it rained a good deal that night and the following day, which might
satiate their thirst. It is by these accidents the Divine Ruler of the
universe has peopled the southern hemisphere.[126-1]
Here are innumerable islands in perpetual growth. The coral, a marine
vegetable, with which the South Seas in every part abounds, is
continually shooting up from the bottom to the surface, which at first
forms lagoon islands; and the water in the centre is evaporated by the
heat of the sun, till at last a terra firma is completed. In this state
it would for ever remain a barren sand, had not Divine Providence given
birth to the cocoa-nut tree, whose fruit is so protected with a hard
shell, that after floating about for a twelve-month in the sea, it will
vegetate, take root, and grow in those salt marshes, lagoons, incipient
islands, or what you please to call them. Their roots serve to bind the
surface of the coral; and the annual shedding of their leaves, in time
creates a soil which produces a verdure or undergrowth. This affords a
favourite resting-place to sea-fowls, and the whole feathered race, who
in their dung drop the seeds of shrubs, fruits, and plants; by which
means all the variety of the vegetable kingdom is disseminated. At last
the variegated landscape rises to the view; and when the divine
Architect has finished his work, it becomes then a residence for man.
From the various accidents incident to man in the early stages of
society, their wants, and the restless spirit inherent in their natures,
they are tempted to dare the elements, either in fishing, commerce, or
war; and from their temerity are often blown to remote and uninhabited
islands. Distressing accidents of this nature often happening to
inhabitants of the South Seas, they now seldom undertake any hazardous
enterprise by water without a woman, and a sow with pig, being in the
canoe with them; by which means, if they are cast on any of those
uninhabited islands, they fix their abode.
Their remote situation from European powers has deprived them of the
culture of civilised life, as they neither serve to swell the ambitious
views of conquest, nor the avarice of commerce. Here the sacred finger of
Omnipotence has interposed, and rendered our vices the instruments of
virtue; and although that unfortunate man Christian has, in a rash
unguarded moment, been tempted to swerve from his duty to his king and
country, as he is in other respects of an amiable character and
respectable abilities, should he elude the hand of justice, it may be
hoped he will employ his talents in humanizing the rude savages; so that,
at some future period, a British Ilion may blaze forth in the south with
all the characteristic virtues of the English nation, and complete the
great prophecy, by propagating the Christian knowledge amongst the
infidels. As Christian has taken fourteen beautiful women with him from
Otaheite, there is little doubt of his intention of colonising some
undiscovered island.
On the 6th day of June, we discovered an island, which was named the Duke
of York's island. Lieuts. Corner and Hayward were sent out to examine it
in the two yauls, covered by the tender. Some huts being discovered by
the ship, a signal was immediately made for the party on shore to be on
their guard, and to advance with caution.
Soon after their arrival on shore, a ship's wooden buoy was discovered.
On searching the huts, nets of different sizes were found hanging in
them, and a variety of fishing utensils. Stages and wharfs were likewise
discovered in different parts of the creek, which led us to imagine it
was only an island resorted to in the fishing season by some neighbouring
nation. The skeleton of a very large fish, supposed to be a whale, was
found near the beach; and a place of venerable aspect, formed entirely by
the hand of Nature, and resembling a Druidical temple, commanded their
attention. The falling of a very large old tree, formed an arch, through
which the interior part of the temple was seen, which heightened the
perspective, and gave a romantic solemn dignity to the scene. At the
extreme end of the temple, three altars were placed, the centre one
higher than the other two, on which some white shells were piled in
regular order.[128-1]
After traversing the island, they returned to the huts, and hung up a few
knives, looking-glasses, and some little articles of European
manufacture, that the natives, on their return, might know the island had
been visited.
On the 12th, we discovered another island, which was named the Duke of
Clarence's island. In running along the land, we saw several canoes
crossing the lagoons. The tender's signal was made, to cover the boats in
landing, and Lieuts. Corner and Hayward sent to reconnoitre the beach, to
discover a landing-place. In this duty they came pretty near some of the
natives in their canoes, who made signs of peace to them; but, either
from fear or business, avoided having any intercourse with us. Morais,
or burying-places, were likewise found here, which indicated it to be a
principal residence. Here they find some old cocoa trees hollowed
longitudinally, as tanks or reservoirs for the rain water.
On the 18th, we discovered an island of more considerable extent than any
island that has hitherto been discovered in the south; and as there were
many collateral circumstances which might hereafter promise it to be a
discovery of national importance, in honour of the first lord of the
admiralty, it was called Chatham's Island. It is beautifully diversified
with hills and dales, of twice the extent of Otaheite, and a hardy
warlike race of people. The natives described a large river to us, which
disembogued itself into a spacious bay, that promises excellent
anchorage.[129-1] Here we learned the death of Fenow, king of Anamooka,
from one of his family of the same name, who had a finger cut off in
mourning for him. After trading a whole day with the natives, who seemed
fair and honourable in their dealings, we examined it without success,
and proceeded on our voyage.
On the 21st we discovered a very considerable island, of about forty
miles long. It was named by the natives Otutuelah. Capt. Edwards gave no
name to it; but should posterity derive the advantages from it which it
at present promises, I presume it may hereafter be called Edwards's
island.[129-2]
It is well wooded with immense large trees, whose foliage spreads like
the oak; and there is a deal of shrubbery on it, bearing a yellow flower.
The natives are remarkably handsome. Some of them had their skins tinged
with yellow, as a mark of distinction, which at first led us to imagine
they were diseased. Neither sex wear any cloathing but a girdle of
leaves round their middle, stained with different colours. The women
adorn their hair with chaplets of sweet-smelling flowers and bracelets,
and necklaces of flowers round their wrists and neck.
On their first coming on board, they trembled for fear. They were
perfectly ignorant of fire-arms, never having seen a European ship
before. They made many gestures of submission, and were struck with
wonder and surprise at every thing they saw. Amongst other things, they
brought us some most remarkable fine puddings, which abounded with
aromatic spiceries, that excelled in taste and flavour the most delicate
seed-cake. As we have never hitherto known of spices or aromatics being
in the South Seas, it is certainly a matter worthy the investigation of
some future circumnavigators. We traded with them the whole day, and got
many curiosities. Birds and fowls, of the most splendid plumage, were
brought on board, some resembling the peacock, and a great variety of the
parrot kind.
One woman amongst many others came on board. She was six feet high, of
exquisite beauty, and exact symmetry, being naked, and unconscious of her
being so, added a lustre to her charms; for, in the words of the poet,
"She needed not the foreign ornaments of dress; careless of beauty, she
was beauty's self."
Many mouths were watering for her; but Capt. Edwards, with great humanity
and prudence, had given previous orders, that no woman should be
permitted to go below, as our health had not quite recovered the shock it
received at Otaheite; and the lady was obliged to be contented with
viewing the great cabin, where she was shewn the wonders of the Lord on
the face of the mighty deep. Before evening, the women went all on shore,
and the men began to be troublesome and pilfering. The third lieutenant
had a new coat stole out of his cabin; and they were making off with
every bit of iron they could lay hands on.
It now came on to blow fresh, and we were obliged to make off from the
land. Those who were engaged in trade on board were so anxious, that we
had got almost out of sight of their canoes before they perceived the
ship's motion, when they all jumped into the water like a flock of wild
geese; but one fellow, more earnest than the rest, hung by the rudder
chains for a mile or two, thinking to detain her.
This evening, at five o'clock, we unfortunately parted company, and lost
sight of our tender. False fires were burnt, and great guns and small
arms were fired without success, as it came on thick blowing weather.
We cruised for her all the 23rd and 24th, near where we parted company,
which was off a piece of remarkable high land. What was most unfortunate,
water and provisions were then on deck for her, which were intended to
have been put on board of her in the morning. She had the day before
received orders, in case of separation, to rendezvous at Anamooka, and to
wait there for us. A small cag of salt, and another of nails and
iron-ware, were likewise put on board of her, to traffic with the
Indians, and the latitudes and longitudes of the places we would touch
at, in our intended rout. She had a boarding netting fixed, to prevent
her being boarded, and several seven-barrelled pieces and blunderbusses
put on board of her.
As we proceeded to the eastward, we saw another island, which we knew to
be one of the navigator's isles, discovered by Mons. Bougainville. On the
28th, in the morning, saw the Happai Islands, discovered by Capt. Cook,
and before noon, the group of islands to the eastward of Anamooka, and
sailed down between Little Anamooka and the Fallafagee Island.
On the 29th, we anchored in the road of Anamooka. Immediately on our
arrival, a large sailing canoe was hired, and Lieut. Hayward and one
private sent to the Happai and Feegee Islands,[132-1] to make inquiry
after the _Bounty_ and our tender; but received no intelligence. Here
they found an axe, which had been left by Capt. Cook, and bartered with
the natives of the different islands for hogs, yams, &c.
The people of Anamooka are the most daring set of robbers in the South
Seas; and, with the greatest deference and submission to Capt. Cook, I
think the name of Friendly Isles is a perfect misnomer, as their
behaviour to himself, to us, and to Capt. Bligh's unfortunate boat at
Murderer's Cove, pretty clearly evinces. Indeed Murderer's Cove, in the
Friendly Isles, is saying a volume on the subject.
Two or three of the officers were taking a walk on shore one evening, who
had the precaution to take their pistols with them. They seemed to crowd
round us with more than idle curiosity; but, on presenting the pistols to
them, they sheered off. The Captain soon joined us, and brought his
servant with him, carrying a bag of nails, and some trifling presents,
which he meant to distribute amongst them; but he took the bag from him,
and dispatched him with a message to the boat, on which the crowd
followed him. As soon as he got out of our sight, they stripped him
naked, and robbed him of his cloaths, and every article he had, but one
shoe, which he used for concealing his nakedness. At this juncture Lieut.
Hayward arrived from his expedition, and called the assistance of the
guard in searching for the robbers. We saw the natives all running, and
dodging behind the trees, which led us to suspect there was some mischief
brewing; but we soon discovered the great Irishman, with his shoe full
in one hand, and a bayonet in the other, naked and foaming mad with
revenge on the natives, for the treatment he had received. Night coming
on, we went on board, without recovering the poor fellow's cloathes.
Next day we were honoured with a visit from Tatafee, king of Anamooka,
who was of lineal descent from the same family that reigned in the island
when discovered by Tasman, the Dutch circumnavigator; and the story of
his landing and supplying them with dogs and hogs, is handed down, by
oral tradition, to this day.[133-1]
Here society may be said to exist in the second stage with respect to
Otaheite. As land is scarcer, private property is more exactly
ascertained, and each man's possession fenced in with a beautiful Chinese
railing. Highways, and roads leading to public places, are neatly fenced
in on each side, and a handsome approach to their houses by a
gravel-walk, with shubbery planted with some degree of taste on each side
of it. Many of them had rows of pine apples on each side of the avenue.
Messrs. Hayward and Corner, with their usual benevolence, took much pains
in teaching them the manner of transplanting their pine-apples; which
hint they immediately adopted, and were very thankful for any advice,
either in rearing their fruit, or cultivating their ground. The shaddocks
are superior in flavour to those of the West Indies; and they will soon
have oranges from what we have left amongst them.
The women here are extremely beautiful; and although they want that
feminine softness of manners which the Otaheite women possess in so
eminent a degree, their matchless vivacity, and fine animated
countenances, compensate the want of the softer blandishments of their
sister island.
There is a favourite amusement of the ladies here, (the cup and ball),
such as children play at in England. It serves to give them a dégagé kind
of air, by which means you have a more elegant display of their charms.
They are well aware of their fascinating powers, and use them with as
much address as our fine women do notting, and other acts of industry.
Trade went briskly on. They brought abundance of hogs, and several ton
weight of very excellent yams. We found that the pork took salt, and was
cured much better here than at Otaheite.
Many beautiful girls were brought on board for sale by their mothers, who
were very exorbitant in their demands, as nothing less than a broad axe
would satisfy them; but after standing their market three days, _la
pucelage_ fell to an old razor, a pair of scissors, or a very large nail.
Indeed this trade was pushed to so great a height, that the quarter-deck
became the scene of the most indelicate familiarities. Nor did the
unfeeling mothers commiserate with the pain and suffering of the poor
girls, but seemed to enjoy it as a monstrous good thing. It is customary
here, when girls meet with an accident of this kind, that a council of
matrons is held, and the noviciate has a gash made in her fore finger. We
soon observed a number of cut fingers amongst them; and had the razors
held out, I believe all the girls in the island would have undergone the
same operation.
A party was sent on shore to cut wood for fuel, and grass for the sheep;
but they would not permit a blade of grass to be cut till they were paid
for it.
The watering party shared the same fate; and notwithstanding a guard of
armed men were sent to protect the others whilst on that duty, the
natives were continually harassing them, and commiting depredations. One
of them came behind Lieut. Corner, and made a blow at him with his club,
which luckily missed his head, and only stunned him in the back of the
neck; and, while in that state, snatched his handkerchief from him; but
Mr. Corner recovering before the thief got out of sight, levelled his
piece and shot him dead.
Tatafee[135-1] the king was going to collect tribute from the islands
under his jurisdiction, and went in the frigate to Tofoa; but previous to
our sailing, a letter was left to Mr. Oliver, the commander of the
tender, should he chance to arrive before our return, with Macaucala, a
principal chief. In the night, the burning mountain on Tofoa exhibited a
very grand spectacle; and in the morning two canoes were sent on shore,
to announce the arrival of those two great personages, Tatafee and
Toobou, who went on shore in the _Pandora's_ barge, to give them more
consequence; but the tributary princes came off in canoes, to do homage
to Tatafee before he reached the shore. They came alongside the barge,
lowered their heads over the side of the canoe, and Tatafee, agreeable to
their custom, put his foot upon their heads. When on shore, what presents
he had received from us, he distributed amongst his subjects, with a
liberality worthy of a great prince.
Some of the people were here who behaved with such savage barbarity to
Capt. Bligh's boat at Murderer's Cove. They perfectly recollected Mr.
Hayward, and seemed to shrink from him. Captain Edwards took much pains
with Tatafee, the king, to make him sensible of his disapprobation of
their conduct to Capt. Bligh's boat. But conciliatory and gentle means
were all that could be enjoined at present, lest our tender should fall
in amongst them.
FOOTNOTES:
[126-1] This gives occasion for a splenetic and unjust tirade from an
anonymous writer in the _United Service Journal_ for 1831: "When this
boat with a midshipman and several men (four) had been inhumanely ordered
from alongside, it was known that there was nothing in her but one piece
of salt beef, compassionately thrown in by a seaman; and horrid as must
have been their fate, the flippant surgeon, after detailing the
disgraceful fact, adds 'that this is the way the world was peopled,' or
words to that effect, for we quote only from memory." With a fresh E.S.E.
breeze and no provisions there can be little doubt that Midshipman Sival
perished at sea, but neither Edwards nor Hamilton are to be censured, the
former for despatching a boat on ordinary duty, the latter for penning a
platitude.
[128-1] This suggests the Fijian _Nanga_, or 'bed of the ancestors,' a
cult introduced by native castaways many generations ago. These castaways
may have been Polynesians.
[129-1] Savaii in the Samoa group. See p. 49 _ante_.
[129-2] It is known by its native name, Tutuila.
[132-1] A mistake. Hayward visited Huapai only.
[133-1] Tasman visited Namuka in 1642.
[135-1] Fatafehi.
CHAP. III.
VOYAGE FROM ANAMOOKA, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE LOSS OF THE _PANDORA_.
THE wind not permitting us to visit Tongataboo, we proceeded to Catooa
and Navigator's Isles, the loss of our tender having prevented us from
doing it before, and endeavoured to fall in with the eastermost of these
islands.
On the morning of the 12th of July, we discovered a cluster of islands in
the N.W. quarter; but the wind being favourable for us, left examining of
them till our return to the Friendly Isles.[136-1] On the 14th, in the
forenoon, saw three isles, supposed to be the cluster of isles called by
Bougainville Navigator's Isles. The largest the natives called
Tumaluah.[136-2] We passed them at a little distance, and found much
intreaty necessary to bring them on board.
On the 15th, we saw another island, which proved to be Otutuelah,[136-3]
which has been already described. Here we found some of the French
navigator's cloathing and buttons; and there is little doubt but they
have murdered them.[136-4]
On the 18th, saw the group of islands we discovered on our way here; and
on the 19th, ran down the north side till we came to an opening, where we
saw the sea on the other side. A sound is formed here by some islands to
the south east and north west, and interior bays, which promises better
anchorage than any other place in the Friendly Isles. The natives told us
there were excellent watering-places in several different parts within
the sound. The country is well wooded. Several of the inferior chiefs
were on board, one of the Tatafee, and one of the Toobou family; but the
principal chief was not on board. We supposed he was coming off just as
we sailed.[137-1] The natives in general were very fair and honourable in
their dealings. They were more inoffensive and better behaved than any we
had seen for some time. They have frequent intercourse with Anamooka, and
their religion, customs, and language, are the same.
A number of beautiful paroquets were brought off by the natives, all
remarkable for the richness and variety of their plumage.
The group of islands was called Howe's Islands, but were particularly
distinguished by the names of Barrington's, Sawyer's, Hotham's, and
Jarvis's Islands. The sound itself was called Curtis's Sound. Under the
general denomination of Howe's Islands, were included several islands to
the south east, to which we gave no particular name, and two more islands
to the westward, called Bickerton's Islands, including two small islands
near the above. There seems to be a tolerable landing-place on the
north-west side of Gardner's Island. All this part of the island has a
most barren aspect. There were evident marks of volcanic eruptions having
happened. The very singular appearance which this part of the island
presented, I cannot omit mentioning; it bore the figure of a piece of
flat table-land, without the slightest eminence or indentation, and smoke
was issuing from the edges, round its whole circumference.
On the 23rd, we passed an inhabited island, which we supposed to be the
Pylestaart island. It has two remarkable high peaks upon it.
On the 26th, we saw Middleburg Island, and run down between it and Euah;
examined it without success; passed Tongatabu; got some provisions here,
but found the water brackish.
On the 29th, we anchored again in the road of Anamooka. We were sorry to
hear the tender had not been there. On the 5th of August, we again
proceeded on our voyage. As the occurrences at this time bore some
semblance to the transactions in our last visit, to avoid wounding the
delicate, or satiating the licentious, we shall conclude in the torpid
phraseology of the log, with ditto repeated.
Every thing being ready for sea on the 3d day of August, we sailed from
Anamooka; and on the 5th, discovered an island of some considerable
extent, called by the natives Onooafow,[138-1] which we called Proby's
Island, in honour of Commissioner Proby. We traded with the inhabitants
for some hours. The land was hilly, and the houses of much larger
construction than we had observed in those seas.
We were now convinced that we were further to the westward than we
imagined, and therefore shaped a course to fall in to the eastward of
Wallis's Island; and next day fell in with it. We gave presents, as
customary, to the first boat; who, from a theft they committed, were
afraid to return. Their cheek-bones were much bruised and flattened, and
some had both their little fingers cut off.[138-2]
We bore away, intending to steer in the track of Carteret and Bligh,
between Spirito Santo and Santa Cruz; and on the 8th saw land to the
westward. We sounded, but found no bottom. We run down the island, and
saw a vast number of houses amongst the trees. It is very hilly, and,
from the great height of some of them, may be called mountains. They are
cultivated to the top; the reason of which, I presume, is from its being
so full of inhabitants. It is about seven miles long; and being a new
discovery, we called it Grenville's Island, in honour of Lord Grenville.
The name the natives gave it is Rotumah. They came off in a fleet of
canoes, rested on their paddles, and gave the war-hoop at stated periods.
They were all armed with clubs, and meant to attack us; but the magnitude
and novelty of such an object as a man of war, struck them with a mixture
of wonder and fear. They were, however, perfectly ignorant of fire-arms,
and seemed much startled at the report of a musket, were too shy to stand
the experiment of a great gun. As they came off with hostile intentions,
they brought no women with them.
They wore necklaces, bracelets, and girdles of white shells. Their bodies
were curiously marked with the figures of men, dogs, fishes, and birds,
upon every part of them; so that every man was a moving landscape. These
marks were all raised, and done, I suppose, by pinching up the skin.
They were great adepts in thieving, and uncommonly athletic and strong.
One fellow was making off with some booty, but was detected; and although
five of the stoutest men in the ship were hanging upon him, and had fast
hold of his long flowing black hair, he overpowered them all, and jumped
overboard with his prize. There is a high promontory on this island,
which we named Mount Temple.
On the 11th, no land being then in sight, we run over a reef of coral, in
eleven fathom water. We were much alarmed, but passed it in five minutes;
and on sounding immediately afterwards, found no bottom. This was called
Pandora's Reef.
On the 12th, in the morning, we discovered an island well wooded, but not
inhabited. It had two remarkable promontories on it, one resembling a
mitre, and the other a steeple; from whence we called it Mitre Island. We
passed it, and stood to the westward; and at ten, the same morning,
discovered another island to the north west. It is entirely cultivated,
and a vast number of inhabitants, though only a mile in length. The beach
from the east, round by the south, is a white sand, but too much surf for
a boat to attempt to land. In gratitude for the many good things we had
on board, and the very high state of preservation in which they kept, we
called this Cherry's Island, in honour of ---- Cherry, Esq; Commissioner
of the Victualling-office.[140-1]
On the 13th of August, we discovered another island to the north west. It
is mountainous, and covered with wood to the very summit. We saw no
inhabitants, but smoke in many different parts of it, from which it may
be presumed it is inhabited. This we called Pitt's Island.[140-2]
On the 17th, at midnight, we discovered breakers on each bow. We had just
room to wear ship; and as this merciful escape was from the vigilance of
one Wells, who was looking out ahead, it was called Wells's Shoals. Those
hair-breadth escapes may point out the propriety of a consort. In the
morning, at day-light, we put about, to examine the danger we were in,
and found we had got embayed in a double reef, which will very soon be an
island. We run round its north west end, and on the 23d saw land, which
we supposed to be the Luisiade, a cape bearing north east and by east. We
called it Cape Rodney. Another contiguous to it was called Cape Hood;
and a mountain between them, we named Mount Clarence.
After passing Cape Hood, the land appears lower, and to trench away about
north west, forming a deep bay; and it may be doubted whether it joins
New Guinea or not.
We pursued our course to the westward, keeping Endeavour Straits open, by
which means we hoped to avoid the dangers Capt. Cook met with in higher
latitudes.
On the 25th, saw breakers; hauled up, and passed to the westward of them;
the sea broke very gently on them. To these we gave the name of Look-out
Shoals. Before noon we saw more breakers, the reef of which was composed
of very large stones, and called it Stony-reef Island.
On seeing obstruction to the southward, stood to the westward, where
there appeared to be an opening. We saw an island in that direction, and
a reef extending a considerable way to the north west. Hauled upon the
wind, seeing our passage obstructed, and stood off and on, under an easy
sail in the night, till daylight; and in the morning bore away, and
discovered four islands, to which the name of Murray's Islands was given.
On the top of the largest, there was something resembling a
fortification. We saw at the same time three two-masted boats. We kept
running along the reef, and in the forenoon thought we saw an opening.
Lieut. Corner was immediately ordered to get ready, to discover if there
was a passage for the ship, and went to the topmasthead, to look well
round him before he left us. It was judged necessary that he should take
with him an axe, some fuel, provisions, a little water, and a compass,
previous to his departure.
It was now the 28th of August. It had lately been our custom to lay to in
the night, M. Bougainville having represented this part of the ocean as
exceedingly dangerous; and it certainly is the boldest piece of
navigation that has ever yet been attempted. We would gladly have
continued the same custom; but the great length of the voyage would not
permit it, as, after we had passed to the wastward of Bougainville's
track, the ocean was perfectly unexplored.
At five in the afternoon, a signal was made from the boat, that a passage
through the reef was discovered for the ship; but wishing to be well
informed in so intricate a business, and the day being far spent, we
waited the boats coming on board, made a signal to expedite her, and
afterwards repeated it. Night closing fast upon us, and considering our
former misfortunes of losing the tender and jolly-boat, rendered it
necessary, both for the preservation of the boat, and the success of the
voyage, to endeavour, by every possible means, to get hold of her.
False fires were burnt, and muskets fired from the ship, and answered by
the boat reciprocally; and as the flashes from their muskets were
distinctly seen by us, she was reasonably soon expected on board. We now
sounded, but had no bottom with a hundred and ten fathom line, till past
seven o'clock, when we got ground in fifty fathom. The boat was now seen
close under the stern; we were at the same time lying to, to prevent the
ship fore-reaching. Immediately on sounding this last time, the topsails
were filled; but before the tacks were hauled on board, and the sails
trimmed, she struck on a reef of rocks, and at that instant the boat got
on board. Every possible effort was attempted to get her off by the
sails; but that failing, they were furled, and the boats hoisted out with
a view to carry out an anchor. Before that was accomplished, the
carpenter reported she made eighteen inches water in five minutes; and in
a quarter of an hour more, she had nine feet water in the hold.
The hands were immediately turned to the pumps, and to bale at the
different hatchways. Some of the prisoners were let out of irons, and
turned to the pumps. At this dreadful crisis, it blew very violently; and
she beat so hard upon the rocks, that we expected her, every minute, to
go to pieces. It was an exceeding dark, stormy night; and the gloomy
horrors of death presented us all round, being every where encompassed
with rocks, shoals, and broken water. About ten she beat over the reef;
and we let go the anchor in fifteen fathom water.
The guns were ordered to be thrown overboard; and what hands could be
spared from the pumps, were employed thrumbing a topsail to haul under
her bottom, to endeavour to fodder her. To add to our distress, at this
juncture one of the chain-pumps gave way; and she gained fast upon us.
The scheme of the topsail was now laid aside, and every soul fell to
baling and pumping. All the boats, excepting one, were obliged to keep a
long distance off on account of the broken water, and the very high surf
that was running near us. We baled between life and death; for had she
gone down before day-light, every soul must have perished. She now took a
heel, and some of the guns they were endeavouring to throw over board run
down to leeward, which crushed one man to death; about the same time, a
spare topmast came down from the booms, and killed another man.
The people now became faint at the pumps, and it was necessary to give
them some refreshment. We had luckily between decks a cask of excellent
strong ale, which we brewed at Anamooka. This was tapped, and served
regularly to all hands, which was much preferable to spirits, as it gave
them strength without intoxication. During this trying occasion, the men
behaved with the utmost intrepidity and obedience, not a man flinching
from his post. We continually cheered them at the pumps with the delusive
hopes of its being soon day-light.
About half an hour before day-break, a council of war was held amongst
the officers; and as she was then settling fast down in the water, it was
their unanimous opinion, that nothing further could be done for the
preservation of his Majesty's ship; and it was their next care to save
the lives of the crew. To effect which, spars, booms, hen-coops, and
every thing buoyant was cut loose, that when she went down, they might
chance to get hold of something. The prisoners were ordered to be let out
of irons. The water was now coming faster in at the gun-ports than the
pumps could discharge; and to this minute the men never swerved from
their duty. She now took a very heavy heel, so much that she lay quite
down on one side.
One of the officers now told the Captain, who was standing aft, that the
anchor on our bow was under water; that she was then going; and, bidding
him farewell, jumped over the quarter into the water. The Captain then
followed his example, and jumped after him. At that instant she took her
last heel; and, while every one were scrambling to windward, she sunk in
an instant. The crew had just time to leap over board, accompanying it
with a most dreadful yell. The cries of the men drowning in the water was
at first awful in the extreme; but as they sunk, and became faint, it
died away by degrees. The boats, who were at some considerable distance
in the drift of the tide, in about half an hour, or little better, picked
up the remainder of our wretched crew.
Morning now dawned, and the sun shone out. A sandy key, four miles off,
and about thirty paces long, afforded us a resting place; and when all
the boats arrived, we mustered our remains, and found that thirty-five
men and four prisoners were drowned.
After we had a little recovered our strength, the first care was to haul
up the boats. A guard was placed over the prisoners. Providentially a
small barrel of water, a cag of wine, some biscuit, and a few muskets and
cartouch boxes, had been thrown into the boat. The heat of the sun, and
the reflection from the sand, was now excruciating; and our stomachs
being filled with salt water, from the great length of time we were
swimming before we were picked up, rendered our thirst most intolerable;
and no water was allowed to be served out the first day. By a calculation
which we made, by filling the compass boxes, and every utensil we had, we
could admit an allowance of two small wine glasses of water a-day to each
man for sixteen days.
A saw and hammer had fortunately been in one of the boats, which enabled
us, with the greater expedition, to make preparations for our voyage, by
repairing one of the boats, which was in a very bad state, and cutting up
the floor-boards of all the boats into uprights, round which we stretched
canvas, to keep the water from breaking into the boats at sea. We made
tents of the boats' sails; and when it was dark, we set the watch, and
went to sleep. In the night we were disturbed by the irregular behaviour
of one Connell, which led us to suspect he had stole our wine, and got
drunk; but, on further inquiry, we found that the excruciating torture he
suffered from thirst led him to drink salt water; by which means he went
mad, and died in the sequel of the voyage.
Next morning Mr. George Passmore, the master, was dispatched in one of
the boats to visit the wreck, to see if any thing floated round her that
might be useful to us in our present distressed state. He returned in two
hours, and brought with him a cat, which he found clinging to the
top-gallant-mast-head; a piece of the top-gallant-mast, which he cut
away; and about fifteen feet of the lightning chain; which being copper,
we cut up, and converted into nails for fitting out the boats. Some of
the gigantic cockle was boiled, and cut into junks, lest any one should
be inclined to eat. But our thirst was too excessive to bear any thing
which would increase it. This evening a wine glass of water was served to
each man. A paper-parcel of tea having been thrown into the boat, the
officers joined all their allowance, and had tea in the Captain's tent
with him. When it was boiled, every one took a salt-cellar spoonful, and
passed it to his neighbour; by which means we moistened our mouths by
slow degrees, and received much refreshment from it.
FOOTNOTES:
[136-1] Vavau.
[136-2] Manua.
[136-3] Tutuila.
[136-4] De Langle's boat had been cut off on 10 Dec. 1787.
[137-1] Finau Ulukalala.
[138-1] Niuafoou.
[138-2] A sign of mourning.
[140-1] Anula.
[140-2] Vanikoro.
CHAP. IV.
VOYAGE FROM THE WRECK TO THE ISLAND OF TIMOR.
EVERY thing being ready on the following day, at twelve o'clock, we
embarked in our little squadron, each boat having been previously
supplied with the latitude and longitude of the island of Timor, eleven
hundred miles from this place.
Our order of sailing was as follows.
In the Pinnace:
Capt. Edwards,
Lieut. Hayward,
Mr. Rickards, Master's Mate,
Mr. Packer, Gunner,
Mr. Edmonds, Captain's Clerk,
Three Prisoners,
Sixteen Privates.
In the Red Yaul:
Lieut. Larkan,
Mr. Geo. Hamilton, Surgeon,
Mr. Reynolds, Master's Mate,
Mr. Matson, Midshipman,
Two Prisoners,
Eighteen Privates.
In the Launch:
Lieut. Corner,
Mr. Gregory Bentham, Purser,
Mr. Montgomery, Carpenter,
Mr. Bowling, Master's Mate,
Mr. M'Kendrick, Midshipman,
Two Prisoners,
Twenty-four Privates.
In the Blue Yaul:
Mr. Geo. Passmore, Master,
Mr. Cunningham, Boatswain,
Mr. James Innes, Surgeon's Mate,
Mr. Fenwick, Midshipman,
Mr. Pycroft, Midshipman,
Three Prisoners,
Fifteen Privates.
As soon as embarked, we laid the oars upon the thwarts, which formed a
platform, by which means we stowed two tier of men. A pair of wooden
scales was made in each boat, and a musket-ball weight of bread served to
each man. At meridian we saw a key, bounded with large craggy rocks. As
the principal part of our subsistence was in the launch, it was necessary
to keep together, both for our defence and support. We towed each other
during the night, and at day-break cast off the tow-line.
At eight in the morning, the red and blue yauls were sent ahead, to sound
and investigate the coast of New South Wales, and to search for a
watering-place. The country had been described as very destitute of the
article of water; but on entering a very fine bay, we found most
excellent water rushing from a spring at the very edge of the beach. Here
we filled our bellies, a tea-kettle, and two quart bottles. The pinnace
and launch had gone too far ahead to observe any signal of our success;
and immediately we made sail after them. The coast has a very barren
aspect; and, from the appearance of the soil and land, looks like a
country abounding with minerals.
As we passed round the bay, two canoes, with three black men in each, put
off, and paddled very hard to get near us. They stood up in the canoes,
waved, and made many signs for us to come to them. But as they were
perfectly naked, had a very savage aspect, and having heard an
indifferent account of the natives of that country, we judged it prudent
to avoid them.
In two hours we joined the pinnace and launch, who were lying to for us.
At ten at night we were alarmed with the dreadful cry of breakers ahead.
We had got amongst a reef of rocks; and in our present state, being worn
out and fatigued, it is difficult to say how we got out of them, as the
place was fraught with danger all round; for in standing clear of Scylla,
we might fall foul of Charybdis; the horror of which, considering our
present situation, may be better understood than expressed. After running
along, we came to an inhabited island, from which we promised ourselves a
supply of water. On our approach, the natives flocked down to the beach
in crowds. They were jet black, and neither sex had either covering or
girdle. We made signals of distress to them for something to drink, which
they understood; and on receiving some trifling presents of knives, and
some buttons cut off our coats, they brought us a cag of good water,
which we emptied in a minute, and then sent it back to be filled again.
They, however, would not bring it the second time, but put it down on the
beach, and made signs to us to come on shore for it. This we declined, as
we observed the women and children running, and supplying the men with
bows and arrows. In a few minutes, they let fly a shower of arrows
amongst the thick of us. Luckily we had not a man wounded; but an arrow
fell between the Captain and Third Lieutenant, and went through the boats
thwart, and stuck in it. It was an oak-plank inch thick. We immediately
discharged a volley of muskets at them, which put them to flight. There
were, however, none of them killed. We now abandoned all hopes of
refreshment here. This island lies contiguous to Mountainous Island.
It may be observed, that the channel throughout the reef is better than
any hitherto known. We ascertained the latitudes with the greatest
accuracy and exactness; and should government be inclined to plant trees
on those sandy keys, particularly the outermost one, it would be a good
distinguishing mark; and many difficulties which Capt. Cook experienced
to the southward would also be avoided. The cocoa-nut tree, on account of
its hardy nature, and the Norfolk and common pines, might be preferred,
from their height rendering the place more conspicuous. The tides or
currents are strong and irregular here, as may be expected, from the
extending reefs, shoals, and keys, and its vicinity to Endeavour Straits.
We steered from these hostile savages to other islands in sight, and sent
some armed men on shore, with orders to keep pretty near us, and to run
close along shore in the boats. But they returned without success. This
island we called Plumb Island, from its bearing an austere, astringent
kind of fruit, resembling plumbs, but not fit to eat.
In the evening, we steered for those islands which we supposed were
called the Prince of Wales's Islands; and about two o'clock in the
morning, came to an anchor with a grappling, along side of an island,
which we called Laforey's Island. As the night was very dark, and this
was the last land that could afford us relief, all hands went to sleep,
to refresh our woe-worn spirits.
The morning was ushered in with the howling of wolves, who had smelt us
in the night, when prowling for food. Lieut. Corner and a party were sent
at day-light, to search again for water; and, as we approached, the wild
beasts retired, and filled the woods with their hideous growling. As soon
as we landed, we discovered a foot-path which led down into a hollow,
where we were led to suspect that water might be found; and on digging
four or five feet, we had the ecstatic pleasure to see a spring rush out.
A glad messenger was immediately dispatched to the beach, to make a
signal to the boats of our success. On traversing the shore, we
discovered a morai, or rather a heap of bones. There were amongst them
two human skulls, the bones of some large animals, and some turtle-bones.
They were heaped together in the form of a grave, and a very long paddle,
supported at each end by a bifurcated branch of a tree, was laid
horizontally alongst it.
Near to this, there were marks of a fire having been recently made. The
ground about was much footed and wore; whence it may be presumed feasts
or sacrifices had been frequently held, as there were several foot-paths
which led to this spot. After having gorged our parched bodies with
water, till we were perfectly water-logged, we began to feel the cravings
of hunger; a new sensation of misery we had hitherto been strangers to,
from the excess of thirst predominating. Some of our stragglers were
lucky enough to find a few small oysters on the shore. A harsh, austere,
astringent kind of fruit, resembling a plumb, was found in some places.
As I discovered some to be pecked at by the birds, we permitted the men
to fill their bellies with them. There was a small berry, of a similar
taste to the plumb, which was found by some of the party. On observing
the dung of some of the larger animals, many of them were found in it, in
an undigested state; we therefore concluded we might venture upon them
with safety. We carefully avoided shooting at any bird, lest the report
of the muskets should alarm the natives, whom we had every reason to
suspect were at no great distance, from the number of foot paths that led
over the hill, and the noise we heard at intervals. Centinels were placed
to prevent stragglers of our party from exceeding the proper bounds; and
when every other thing was filled with water, the carpenter's boots were
also filled. The water in them was first served out, on account of
leakage.
There is a large sound formed here, to which we gave the name of
Sandwich's Sound, and commodious anchorage for shipping in the bay, to
which we gave the name of Wolf's Bay, in which there is from five to
seven fathom water all round. This is extremely well situated for a
rendezvous in surveying Endeavour Straits; and were a little colony
settled here, a concatenation of Christian settlements would enchain the
world, and be useful to any unfortunate ship of whatever nation, that
might be wrecked in these seas; or, should a rupture take place in South
America, a great vein of commerce might find its way through this
channel.
Hammond's Island lies north west and by west, Parker's Island from north
and by west to north and by east, and an island seen to the north
entrance north west. We supposed it to be an island called by Captain
Bligh Mountainous Island, laid down in latitude 10.16 South.
Sandwich's Sound is formed by Hammond's, Parker's, and a cluster of small
islands on the starboard hand, at its eastern entrance. We also called a
back land behind Hammond's Island, and the other islands to the southward
of it, Cornwallis's Land. The uppermost part of the mountain was
separated from the main by a large gap. Under the gap, low land was seen;
but whether that was a continuation of the main or not, we could not
determine. Near the centre of the sound is a small dark-coloured, rocky
island.
This afternoon, at three o'clock, being the 2d of September, our little
squadron sailed again, and in the evening saw a high peaked island lying
north west, which we called Hawkesbury's Island. The passage through the
north entrance is about two miles wide. After passing through it, saw a
reef. As we approached it, we shallowed our water to three fathom; but on
hauling up more to the south west, we deepened it again to six fathom.
Saw several very large turtle, but could not catch any of them. After
clearing the reef, stood to the westward. Mountainous Island bore N. half
E.; Capt. Bligh's west island, which appears in Three Hummocks, N.N.W.; a
rock N.W. at the S.W. extreme of the main land, S. and by E.; and the
northernmost cape of New South Wales, S.S.E.; and to the extreme of the
land in sight, the eastward E. half N. a small distance from the nearest
of the Prince of Wales's Islands, we discovered another island, and which
we called Christian's Island. Saw Two Hummock between Hawkesbury's Island
and Mountainous Island; but could not be certain whether it was one or
two islands.
We now entered the great Indian ocean, and had a voyage of a thousand
miles to undertake in our open boats. As soon as we cleared the land, we
found a very heavy swell running, which threatened destruction to our
little fleet; for should we have separated, we must inevitably perish for
want of water, as we had not utensils to divide our slender stock. For
our mutual preservation, we took each other in tow again; but the sea was
so rough, and the swell running so high, we towed very hard, and broke a
new tow-line. This put us in the utmost confusion, being afraid of
dashing to pieces upon each other, as it was a very dark night. We again
made fast to each other; but the tow-line breaking a second time, we
were obliged to trust ourselves to the mercy of the waves. At five in
the morning, the pinnace lay to, as the other boats had passed her under
a dark cloud; but on the signal being made for the boats to join, we
again met at day-light. At meridian, we passed some remarkable black and
yellow striped sea snakes. On the afternoon of the 4th of September, gave
out the exact latitude of our rendezvous in writing; also the longitude
by the time-keeper at this present time, in case of unavoidable
separation.
On the night between the 5th and 6th, the sea running very cross and
high, the tow-line broke several times; the boats strained, and made much
water; and we were obliged to leave off towing the rest of the voyage, or
it would have dragged the boats asunder. On the 7th, the Captain's boat
caught a booby. They sucked his blood, and divided him into twenty-four
shares.
The men who were employed steering the boats, were often subject to a
_coup de soleil_, as every one else were continually wetting their shirts
overboard, and putting it upon their head, which alleviated the scorching
heat of the sun, to which we were entirely exposed, most of us having
lost our hats while swimming at the time the ship was wrecked. It may be
observed, that this method of wetting our bodies with salt water is not
advisable, if the misery is protracted beyond three or four days, as,
after that time, the great absorption from the skin that takes place from
the increased heat and fever, makes the fluids become tainted with the
bittern of the salt water; so much so, that the saliva became intolerable
in the mouth. It may likewise be worthy of remark, that those who drank
their own urine died in the sequel of the voyage.
We now neglected weighing our slender allowance of bread, our mouths
becoming so parched, that few attempted to eat; and what was not claimed
was thrown into the general stock. We found old people suffer much more
than those that were young. A particular instance of that we observed in
one young boy, a midshipman, who sold his allowance of water two days for
one allowance of bread. As their sufferings continued, they became very
cross and savage in their temper. In the Captain's boat, one of the
prisoners took to praying, and they gathered round him with much
attention and seeming devotion. But the Captain suspecting the purity of
his doctrines, and unwilling he should make a monopoly of the business,
gave prayers himself. On the 9th, we passed a great many of the Nautilus
fish, the shell of which served us to put our glass of water into; by
which means we had more time granted to dip our finger in it, and wet our
mouths by slow degrees. There were several flocks of birds seen flying in
a direction for the land.
On the 13th, in the morning, we saw the land, and the discoverer was
immediately rewarded with a glass of water; but, as if our cup of misery
was not completely full, it fell a dead calm. The boats now all
separated, every one pushing to make the land. Next day we got pretty
near it; but there was a prodigious surf running. Two of our men slung a
bottle about their necks, jumped overboard, and swam through the surf.
They traversed over a good many miles, till a creek intercepted them;
when they came down to the beach, and made signs to us of their not
having succeeded. We then brought the boat as near the surf as we durst
venture, and picked them up. In running along the coast, about twelve
o'clock, we had the pleasure to see the red yaul get into a creek. She
had hoisted an English jack at her mast-head, that we might observe her
in running down the coast. There was a prodigious surf, and many
dangerous shoals, between us and the mouth of the creek; we, however,
began to share the remains of our water, and about half a bottle came to
each man's share, which we dispatched in an instant.
We now gained fresh spirits, and hazarded every thing in gaining our so
much wished for haven. It is but justice here to acknowledge how much we
were indebted to the intrepidity, courage, and seaman-like behaviour of
Mr. Reynolds the master's mate, who fairly beat her over all the reefs,
and brought us safe on shore. The crew of the blue yaul, who had been two
or three hours landed, assisted in landing our party. A fine spring of
water near to the creek afforded us immediate relief. As soon as we had
filled our belly, a guard was placed over the prisoners, and we went to
sleep for a few hours on the grass.
In the afternoon, a Chinese chief came down the creek in a canoe,
attended by some of the natives, to wait upon us. He was a venerable
looking old man; we endeavoured to walk down to the water-side, to
receive him, and acquaint him with the nature of our distress.
We addressed him in French and in English, neither of which he
understood; but misery was so strongly depicted in our countenances, that
language was superfluous. The tears trickling down his venerable cheeks
convinced us he saw and felt our misfortunes; and silence was eloquence
on the subject.
He made us understand by signs, that without fee or reward we should be
supplied with horses, and conducted to Coupang, a Dutch East-India
settlement, about seventy miles distant, the place of our rendezvous.
This we politely declined, as the nature of our duty in the charge of the
prisoners would not admit of it. We took leave of him for the present,
after receiving promises of refreshment.
Soon after, crowds of the natives came down with fowls, pigs, milk, and
bread. Mr. Innes, the surgeon's mate, happened luckily to have some
silver in his pocket, to which they applied the touchstone, but would not
give us any thing for guineas. However, anchor-buttons answered the
purpose, as they gave us provision for a few buttons, which they refused
the same number of guineas for; till a hungry dog, one of the carpenter's
crew, happening to pick up an officer's jacket, spoiled the market, by
giving it, buttons and all, for a pair of fowls, which a few buttons
might have purchased.
All hands were busied in roasting the fowls, and boiling the pork; in the
evening we made a very hearty supper. While we were regaling ourselves
round a large fire, some wild beast gave a roar in the bushes. Some who
had been in India before, declared it was the jackall; we therefore,
concluded the lion could not be far off. Some were jocularly observing
what a glorious supper the lord of the forest would make of us; but
others were rather troubled with the dismaloes. This gave a gloomy turn
to the conversation; and our minds having been previously much engaged
with savages and wild beasts, and our bodies worn out through famine and
watching, I believe the contagious effects of fear became pretty general.
From Bligh's narrative, and others, we had been warned of the danger of
landing in any other part of the island of Timor but Coupang, the Dutch
settlement, as they were represented hostile and savage.
It is customary with those people, as we afterwards learnt, to do their
hard work, such as beating out their rice at night, to avoid the
scorching heat of the sun; and the whole village, which was about two
miles off, joined in the general song, which every where chears and
accompanies labour. As they had made us great offers for some cartridges
of powder, which our duty could not suffer us to part with, we
immediately interpreted this song into the war-hoop, and concluded, that
they were going to take by force what they could not gain by entreaty.
Nature, however, at last worn out, inclined to rest. The First Lieutenant
and Master went on board of the boats, which were at anchor in the middle
of the river, for the better security of the prisoners; and, ranging
ourselves round, with our feet to the fire, went to sleep.
At dawn of day, the master gave the huntsman's hollow, which some, from
being suddenly awaked, thought they were attacked by the Indians. We were
all panic struck, and could not get thoroughly awaked, being so
exhausted, and overpowered with sleep. Most of us were scrambling upon
all fours down to the river, and crying for Christ's sake to have mercy
upon them, till those who were foremost in the scramble, in crawling into
the creek, got recovered from their plight by their hands being immersed
in water; yet those who were foremost in running away, were not last in
upbraiding the rest with cowardice, notwithstanding there were pretty
evident marks upon some of them, of the cold water having produced its
usual effects of micturition.
Next day we went up the creek, in one of the boats, about four miles, to
one of their towns, with an intention of purchasing provisions for our
sea-store. As we entered the town, the king was riding out, attended by
twenty carabineers or body-guards, well mounted, and respectably armed.
He passed us with all the _sang froid_ imaginable, scarce deigning to
glance at us.
In purchasing a pig, the man finding a good price for it, offered to
traffic with us for the charms of his daughter, a very pretty young girl.
But none of us seemed inclined that way, as there were many good things
we stood much more in need of.
At one o'clock, being high water, we embarked again in our boats for
Coupang. We sailed along the coast all day till it was dark; and, fearful
lest we should over-shoot our port in the night, put into a bay. After
laying some time, we observed a light; and after hallooing and making a
noise, the natives came down with torches in their hands, waded up
alongside of us, and offered their assistance, which we accepted of, in
lighting fires, and dressing the victuals we had brought with us, that no
time might be lost in landing or cooking the next day.
At day break, we again proceeded on our voyage, and at five in the
afternoon we landed at Coupang. The Governor, Mynheer Vanion, received us
with the utmost politeness, kindness, and hospitality. The
Lieutenant-Governor, Mynheer Fry, was likewise extremely kind and
attentive, in rendering every assistance possible, and in giving the
necessary orders for our support and relief in our present distressed
state.
Next morning being Sunday, as we supposed, the 17th of September, we were
preparing for Church, to return thanks to Almighty God, for his divine
interposition in our miraculous preservation; but were disappointed in
our pious intentions; for we found it was Monday, the 18th, having lost a
day by performing a circuit of the globe to the westward.
CHAP. V.
OCCURRENCES AT COUPANG; VOYAGE TO BATAVIA, &c.; ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.
THIS is the Montpelier of the East to the Dutch and Portuguese
settlements in India; and, from the salubrity of its air, is the
favourite resort of valetudinarians and invalids from Batavia and other
places. This island is fertile, variegated with hill and dale, and
equally beautiful as diversified with Rotti, and its appendant isles. It
is as large as the island of Great Britain. Its principal trade is wax,
honey, and sandlewood; but the whole of its revenues do not defray the
expence of the settlement to the Company; but from the locality of its
situation, it is convenient for their other islands. They had the
monopoly of the sandlewood trade, which is used in all temples, mosques,
and places of worship in the East, every Chinese having a sprig of it
burning day and night near their household-gods.
The exclusive trade of sandlewood was valuable and convenient to the
Dutch; but, from the vast extent of territory lately acquired in India,
we have plenty of that commodity without going to the Dutch market. Close
to the Dutch town is a Chinese town and temple. They have a governor of
their own nation, but pay large tribute to the Dutch. Notwithstanding
their trade is under very severe restrictions, they soon make rich; and,
as soon as they become independent, return to their own country. For
European and India goods the natives barter their produce, and sell their
prisoners of war, who are carried to Batavia as slaves, and the natives
of Java sent from Batavia to this place in return. As they hold their
tenure more from policy than strength, it would be impolitic to irritate
them, by exposing their countrymen, subjugated to the lash of slavery and
oppression.
An instance of this soul-couping business fell under our inspection while
here. One of the petty princes, in settling his account with a merchant
of this place, was some dollars short of cash. He just stepped to the
door, and casting his eye on an elderly man who was near him, he laid
hold of him; and, with the assistance of some of his myrmidons, gave him
up as a slave, and so settled his account. We felt more interested in the
fate of this poor wretch, on account of his having been a prince himself,
but never before saw the face of his oppressor. He went passenger in the
ship with us to Batavia.
It was a pleasing and flattering sight to an Englishman, at this remotest
corner of the globe, to see that Wedgewood's stoneware, and Birmingham
goods, had found their way into the shops of Coupang.
During our five weeks stay here, the Governor, Mynheer Vanion, by every
act of politeness and attention endeavoured to make us spend our time
agreeably. We were sumptuously regaled at his table every day, and the
evening was spent with cards and concerts. I could dwell with pleasure
for an age in praise of this honest Dutchman; it is the tribute of a
grateful heart, and his due. This is the third time he has had an
opportunity of extending his hospitality to shipwrecked Englishmen.
About a fortnight before we arrived, a boat, with eight men, a woman, and
two children, came on shore here, who told him they were the supercargo,
part of the crew, and passengers of an English brig, wrecked in these
seas. His house, which has ever been the asylum of the distressed, was
open for their reception. They drew bills on the British government, and
were supplied with every necessary they stood in need of.
The captain of a Dutch East Indiaman, who spoke English, hearing of the
arrival of Capt. Edwards, and our unfortunate boat, run to them with the
glad tidings of their Captain having arrived; but one of them, starting
up in surprise, said, "What Captain! dam'me, we have no Captain;" for
they had reported, that the Captain and remainder of the crew had
separated from them at sea in another boat. This immediately led to a
suspicion of their being impostors; and they were ordered to be
apprehended, and put into the castle. One of the men, and the woman, fled
into the woods; but were soon taken. They confessed they were English
convicts, and that they had made their escape from Botany Bay. They had
been supplied with a quadrant, a compass, a chart, and some small arms
and ammunition, from a Dutch ship that lay there; and the expedition was
conducted by the Governor's fisherman, whose time of transportation was
expired. He was a good seaman, and a tolerable navigator. They dragged
along the coast of New South Wales; and as often as the hostile nature of
the savage natives would permit, hauled their boat up at night, and slept
on shore. They met with several curious and interesting anecdotes in this
voyage. In many places of the coast of South Wales, they found very good
coal; a circumstance that was not before known. Our men were now
beginning to regain their strength; and Captain Dadleberg of the Rembang
Indiaman was making every possible dispatch with his ship to carry us to
Batavia.
During this time, the interment of Balthazar, King of Coupang, was
performed with much funeral pomp. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and
all the Europeans were invited. Six months had been spent in preparations
for this fête, at which an emperor and twenty-five kings assisted and
attended in person with all their body-guards, standards, and
standard-bearers, were present. When the corpse was deposited in the
sepulchre, the Company's troops fired three vollies, and victuals and
drink were immediately served to four thousand people.
The Dutch and English officers were invited to a very sumptuous dinner,
at a table provided for the emperor and all the kings. The first toast
after dinner was the dead king's health. Next they drank Mynheer
Company's health, which was accompanied with a volley of small arms and
paterreros. The singularity of Mynheer Company's health, led us to
request an explanation; when we were informed, they found it necessary to
make them believe that Mynheer Company was a great and powerful king,
lest they should not be inclined to pay that submission to a company of
merchants.
The inaugural ceremony at the installation of the young king, was
performed by his drinking a bumper of brandy and gunpowder, stirred round
with the point of a sword. After being invested with the regal dignity,
he came down in state, to pay his respects to the governor. As he was
preceded by music, and colours flying, every one turned out to see him.
Amongst the rest was a captive king in chains, who was employed blowing
the bellows to our armourer, whilst he was forging bolts and fetters for
our prisoners and convicts. Here the sunshine of prosperity, and the
mutability of human greatness, were excellently pourtrayed.
By a policy in the Dutch, in supplying the petty princes with ammunition
and warlike stores, feuds and dissentions are kindled amongst them; and
they are kept so completely engaged in civil war, that they have no time
to observe the encroachments of strangers. That domestic strife serves
likewise amply to supply the slave trade from the prisoners of both
parties. They, however, some time since, made head against the common
enemy, and forced the Dutch to retire within their trenches.
It is the custom, in this climate, to bathe morning and evening. A fine
river, which runs in the centre of the town, is conveniently situated for
that purpose; and we availed ourselves of it when our strength would
permit. Nature has been profusely lavish, in producing, in the
neighbourhood of this place, all the varied powers of landscape that the
most luxuriant fancy can suggest. But, while enjoying the picturesque
beauties of the scene, or sheltering in the translucent stream from the
fervour of meridian heat, you are suddenly chilled with fear, from the
terrific aspect of the alligator, or crested snake, and a number of
venomous reptiles, with which this country abounds. There is one in
particular called the cowk cowk; it is the most disgusting looking animal
that creeps the ground, and its bite is mortal. It is about a foot and a
half long, and seems a production between the toad and lizard. At stated
periods it makes a noise exactly like a cuckoo clock. Even the natives
fly from it with the utmost horror. The alligators are daring and
numerous. There are instances of their devouring men and children when
bathing in the shallow part of the river above the town.
The Governor, Mynheer Vanion, relates a circumstance that happened to him
while hunting. In crossing a shallow part of the river, his black boy was
snapped up by an alligator; but the Governor immediately dismounted,
rescued the boy out of his mouth, and slew him.
The natives of Timor are subject to a cutaneous disease during their
infancy, something similar to the small pox, but of longer duration. It
seldom terminates fatally, and only seizes them once in their
lives.[165-1]
On the 6th of October, we embarked on board the Rembang Dutch Indiaman,
taking with us the prisoners and convicts. Our crew became very sickly in
passing the Straits of Alice [Allas]. We had frequent calms and sultry
weather until the 12th. In passing the island of Flores, a most
tremendous storm arose. In a few minutes every sail of the ship was
shivered to pieces; the pumps all choaked, and useless; the leak gaining
fast upon us; and she was driving down, with all the impetuosity
imaginable, on a savage shore, about seven miles under our lee. This
storm was attended with the most dreadful thunder and lightning we had
ever experienced. The Dutch seamen were struck with horror, and went
below; and the ship was preserved from destruction by the manly exertion
of our English tars, whose souls seemed to catch redoubled ardour from
the tempest's rage. Indeed it is only in these trying moments of
distress, when the abyss of destruction is yawning to receive them, that
the transcendent worth of a British seaman is most conspicuous. Nor would
I wish, from what I have observed above, to throw any stigma on the
Dutch, who I believe would fight the devil, should he appear in any other
shape to them but that of thunder and lightning.
It may be remarked, that the Straits of Alice are not so dangerous as
those of Sapy [Sapi], and are for many reasons preferable; but it is so
intricate a navigation that a Dutchman bound from Timor to Batavia,
after beating about for twelve months, found himself exactly where he
first started from.
On the 21st, we got through Alice, and saw three prow-vessels, who are a
very daring set of pirates that infest those seas. On the 22nd, saw the
islands of Kangajunk and Ulk, and run through the channel that is between
them. Next day we saw the island of Madura.
On the 26th, saw the island of Java; and on the 30th, anchored at
Samarang.
Immediately on our coming to anchor, we were agreeably surprised to find
our tender here which we had so long given up for lost. Never was social
affection more eminently pourtrayed than in the meeting of these poor
fellows; and from excess of joy, and a recital of their mutual
sufferings, from pestilence, famine, and shipwreck, a flood of tears
filled every man's breast.
They informed us, the night they parted company with us, the savages
attacked them in a regular and powerful body in their canoes; and their
never having seen a European ship before, nor being able to conceive any
idea of fire-arms, made the conflict last longer than it otherwise would;
for, seeing no missive weapon made use of, when their companions were
killed, they did not suspect any thing to be the matter with them, as
they tumbled into the water. Our seven-barrelled pieces made great havoc
amongst them. One fellow had agility enough to spring over their
boarding-netting, and was levelling a blow with his war-club at Mr.
Oliver, the commanding-officer, who had the good fortune to shoot him.
On not finding the ship next day, they gave up all further hopes of her,
and steered for Anamooka, the rendezvous Captain Edwards had appointed.
Their distress for want of water, if possible, surpassed that of our own,
and had so strong an effect on one of the young gentlemen, that the day
following he became delirious, and continued so for some months after it.
They at last made the island of Tofoa, near to Anamooka, which they
mistook for it. After trading with the natives for provisions and water,
they made an attempt to take the vessel from them, which they always will
to a small vessel, when alone; but they were soon overpowered with the
fire arms. They were, however, obliged to be much on their guard
afterwards, at those islands which were inhabited.
After much diversity of distress, and similar encounters, they at last
made the reef that runs between New Guinea and New Holland, where the
_Pandora_ met her unhappy fate; and after traversing from shore to shore,
without finding an opening, this intrepid young seaman boldly gave it the
stem, and beat over the reef. The alternative was dreadful, as famine
presented them on the one hand, and shipwreck on the other. Soon after
they had passed Endeavour Straits, they fell in with a small Dutch
vessel, who shewed them every tenderness that the nature of their
distress required.
They were soon landed at a small Dutch settlement; but the governor
having a description of the _Bounty's_ pirates from our court, and their
vessel being built of foreign timber, served to confirm them in their
suspicions; and as no officer in the British navy bears a commission or
warrant under the rank of lieutenant, where, by seal of office, their
person or quality may be identified, they had only their bare _ipse
dixit_ to depend on. They, however, behaved to them with great precaution
and humanity. Although they kept a strict guard over them, nothing was
withheld to render their situation agreeable; and they were sent, under a
proper escort, to this place.
This settlement is reckoned next to Batavia, and is so lucrative, that
the governor is changed every five years. The present governor's name is
Overstraaten, a gentleman of splendid taste and unbounded hospitality,
who lives in a princely style; and to the _otium dignitate_ of Asiatic
luxury, has the happiness to join an honest hearty Dutch welcome.
A regiment of the Duke of Wirtemburg is doing duty here, amongst whom
were several men of rank and fashion, who shewed us much civility and
politeness.
The town is regular and beautiful, and the houses are built in a style of
architecture, which has given loose to the most sportive fancy. Each
street is terminated with some public building, such as a great marine
school, for the education of young officers and seamen; an hospital for
decayed officers in the Company's service; churches; the Governor's
palace, &c. &c. Here the _utile dulce_ has not been neglected, and those
objects of national importance are placed in a proper point of view, as
the just pride and ornament of a great commercial people.
Such is the effect of early prejudices, that, under the muzle of the sun,
a Dutchman cannot exist without snuffing the putrid exhalations from
stagnant water, to which they have been accustomed from their infancy.
They are intersecting it so fast with canals, that in a year or two this
beautiful town will be completely dammed.
In a few days, we arrived at Batavia, the emporeum of the Dutch in the
East; and our first care was employed in sending to the hospital the
sickly remains of our unfortunate crew. Some dead bodies floating down
the canal struck our boat, which had a very disagreeable effect on the
minds of our brave fellows, whose nerves were reduced to a very weak
state from sickness. This was a _coup de grace_ to a sick man on his
_premier entree_ into this painted sepulchre, this golgotha of Europe,
which buries the whole settlement every five years.
It is not the climate I am inveighing against; it is the Gothic,
diabolical ideas of the people I indite.
Were they only Dutchmen who supplied the ravenous maw of death, it would
be impertinence in me to make any comment on it; but when the whole globe
lends its aid to supply this destructive settlement, and its baneful
effects arising more from the letch a Dutchman has for stagnant mud than
from climate, I hope the indulgent reader will pardon my spleen, when I
tell them professionally that all the mortality of that place originates
from marsh effluvia, arising from their stagnant canals and
pleasure-grounds.
The Chinese are here the Jews of the East, and as soon as they make their
fortune, they go home. Let the amateurs of the Republican system read and
learn. Be not surprised when it is observed, that these little great men,
those vile hawkers of spice and nutmegs, exact a submission that the most
absolute and tyrannical monarch who ever swayed a sceptre would be
ashamed of. The compass of my work will not allow me to be particular;
but I must instance one among many others. When an edilleer, or one of
the supreme council, meets a carriage, the gentleman who meets him must
alight, and make him a perfect bow in spirit; not one of Bunburry's long
bows, but that bow which carries humility and submission in it, that sort
of bow which every vertebræ in an English back is anchylosed against.
In our passage from this to the Cape, before we left Java, one of the
convicts had jumped over board in the night, and swam to the Dutch
arsenal at Honroost. In passing Bantan, we viewed the relics of Lord
Cathcart. We met nothing particular in passing the island of Sumatra, but
experienced great death and sickness in going through the Straits of
Sunda; and after a tedious passage, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope.
Here we met with many civilities from Colonel Gordon; a gentleman no less
eminent for his private virtues than his extraordinary military and
literary accomplishments. From his labours, all the host of voyagers and
historians of that part of the globe have been purloining; but it is to
be hoped the world will, at some future period, be favoured with his
works unmutilated.
The town is gay, and from length of habit, the inhabitants partake much
of the manners of Bath; and, for a short season, behave with the utmost
attention and tenderness. Their dress and customs are more characteristic
of the English than Dutch. An uncommon rage for building has lately
prevailed; and although they cannot boast of that chastity of style in
which Samarang is built it is gaudy, and calculated to please the
generality of observers.
Allow me to mention the singular manner in which the monkeys make
depredations on the gardens here. They place a proper piquet, or advanced
guard, as sentinels, when a party is drawn up in a line, who hand the
fruit from one to another; and when the alarm is given by the
piquet-guard, they all take flight, making sure that by that time the
booty is conveyed to a considerable distance. But should the piquet be
negligent in their duty, and suffer the main body to be surprised, the
delinquents are severely punished.
The same ill-fated rage for canalling-murder prevails here. They have
even contrived to carry canals to the top of a mountain. The boors, or
country-farmers, are a species of the human race, so gigantic and
superior to the rest of mankind, in point of size and constitution, that
they may be called nondescripts.
Their hospital, as to scite, surpasses any in the world. It may be
observed, however, that the architect, by the smallness of the windows,
which only serve to exclude the light and air, seems to have studied,
with much ingenuity, to render it a cadaverous stinking prison.
After being refreshed at the Cape, we passed St. Helena, the island of
Ascension, and arrived at Holland; and had the happiness, through the
interposition of divine Providence, to be again landed on our native
shore.
The Latitudes and Longitudes of the different places touched at or
discovered by his Majesty's ship _Pandora_, taken with the greatest
accuracy from the centre of the islands.
Names of Places. Latitudes. Longitudes.
Gomera, | 28 5 N | 17 8 W
Canary, N.E. point, | 28 13 N | 15 38 W
Teneriffe, Santa Cruz, | 28 27 N | 16 16 W
Palma, | 28 36 N | 17 45 W
St. Antonio, Cape de Verd Islands,
crossing the Line, | 17 0 N | 25 2 W
Rio Janeiro, | 22 54 S
Patagonia, Straits of Magellan,
Cape Julian, Staten Island, | 54 47 30 S | 63 58 27 W
Cape Horn, | 55 59 S | 67 21 W
Diego Ramarez,
Easter Island, | 27 7 S | 109 42 W
Ducie's Island, | 24 40 30 S | 124 40 30 W
Lord Hood's Island, | 21 31 S | 135 32 30 W
Carysfort Island, | 20 49 S | 138 33 W
Maitea, | 17 52 S | 148 6 W
Otaheite, Matavy Bay, | 17 29 S | 149 35 W
Huaheine, Owharre Bay, | 16 44 S | 151 3 W
Ulitea and Otaha, | 16 46 S | 151 33 W
Bolobola, | 16 33 S | 151 52 W
Mauruah, | 16 26 S | 152 33 W
Whytutakee, | 18 52 S | 159 41 W
Palmerston's Isles, | 18 0 S | 162 57 W
Duke of York's Island, | 8 33 30 S | 172 4 3 W
Duke of Clarence's Island, | 9 9 30 S | 171 30 46 W
Chatham's Island, | 13 32 20 S | 172 18 20 W
Ohatooah, | 13 50 S | 171 30 6 W
Anamooka, | 20 16 S | 174 30 W
Toomanuah, | 14 15 S | 169 43 W
Otutuelah, | 14 30 S | 170 41 W
Howe's Island, | 18 32 30 S | 173 53 W
Bickerton's Island, | 18 47 40 S | 174 48 W
Gardner's Island, | 17 57 S | 175 16 54 W
Pylestaart, | 22 23 S | 175 39 W
Eoah or Middleburgh, | 21 21 S | 174 34 W
Tongataboo, | 21 9 S | 174 41 W
Proby's Island, | 15 53 S | 175 51 W
Wallis's Island, | 13 22 S | 176 15 45 W
Grenville Island, | 12 29 S | 183 3 \ W
| | 176 57 / E
Pandora's Reef, | 12 11 S | 188 8 \ W
| | 171 52 / E
Mitre Island, | 11 49 S | 190 4 30 \ W
| | 169 55 30 / E
Cherry Island, | 11 37 30 S | 190 19 30 \ W
| | 169 55 30 / E
Pitt's Island, | 11 50 30 S | 193 14 15 \ W
| | 166 45 45 / E
Wells's Shoal, | 12 20 S | 202 2 \ W
| | 157 58 / E
Cape Rodney, \ Point of | 10 3 32 S | 212 14 5 \ W
M. Clarence in shore, | | | 147 45 45 / E
Cape Hood, / New Guinea | 9 58 6 S | 212 37 10 \ W
| | 147 22 50 / E
Murray's Isles, | 9 57 S | 216 43 \ W
| | 143 17 / E
Wreck Reef, | 11 22 S | 216 22 \ W
| | 143 38 / E
Batavia, | 6 10 S | 106 51 E
Straits of Sunda, | 6 36 15 S | 105 17 30 E
Cape of Good Hope, | 34 29 S | 18 23 E
St. Helena, | 15 55 S | 5 49 W
Ascension Island, | 7 56 S | 14 32 W
FINIS.
FOOTNOTES:
[165-1] This seems to be the earliest description of Yaws (_Framboesia_)
in these islands. Originating in Africa this contagious disease is
believed to have been disseminated by the slave trade. The Dutch or
Portuguese traders carried it from Madagascar and East Africa to Ceylon,
where it still bears the name of _Parangi Lede_, or Foreigners' Evil.
Though Hamilton did not observe it in the South Sea Islands the disease
was probably there, for Mariner, who was in Tonga in 1810, described it
as a well-established disease under the name of _Tona_.
INDEX
A.
Aitutaki Island,
visit to, 10, 40 _note_, 123;
Bligh supposed to be there, 102
Ale brewed at Namuka, 73
Anti-scorbutics, 100
Apia, 50 _note_
_Astrolabe_,
Pérouse's ship, 19;
relics of, 68 _note_
Australia, Northern,
sighted, 76;
landing on, 149
B.
Banks, Sir Joseph, 2, 112
Baring, carries letters to England, 84
Bark cloth, 115
Batavia, arrival at, 81
Beads found in Samoa, 56
Becke, Louis,
_The Mutineers_, 1;
_First Fleet Family_, 24
Bentham, Mr., Purser, 79, 118, 119
Blacks attack boats, 66, 149
_Blenheim_, wreck of, 3
Bligh, Captain, 1;
his character, 2;
boat voyage of, 2;
public sympathy with, 3;
supposed to be in Aitutaki, 102
Boat lost at Palmerston Island, 86, 126
Boat voyage
of Bligh, 2;
of Pereira, 3;
of Edwards, 22, 75, 147, 154
Bolabola visited, 39, 122
Bougainville,
warning, 20;
discovery of Samoa, 51, 56
_Bounty_,
fitting out, 2;
mutiny of, 2;
driver yard found, 9, 124;
anchor found, 34
_Boussole_,
Pérouse's ship, 19;
relics of, 68 _note_
Bread fruit,
plan to acclimatize, 1;
its uses, 112
Brewing ale at Namuka, 143
Broad, Mary, 23
Brown, John, 31;
his character, 105;
identifies mutineers, 105
Bryant, William, 23, 82
Bull taken by Mutineers, 36
Burkitt,
trial of, 25;
arrest of, 34;
executed, 37
Burn, Michael, acquitted, 37
Butcher, Convict, 24
Byron, _The Island_, 1
Byron, Captain, 40
C.
Canoes,
war, 114;
sailing, 53
Capetown, description of, 170
Carteret visits Vanikoro, 68 _note_
Carysfort Island, discovered, 30, 102
Cattle, 118
Cherry's Island, sighted, 67
Christian, Fletcher, 2, 102, 127;
his plan of forming settlement, 38
Churchill, murder of, 30, 70, 110
Cloudy Bay, 69 _note_
Coal found in Australia, 162
Cockle, gigantic, 125, 146
Cocoa, as anti-scorbutic, 100
Coleman, Joseph,
surrenders, 30, 102;
works pump, 73 _note_;
acquitted, 37
Consumption, 117
Convict jumps overboard, 169
Convicts,
escaped, at Timor, 23, 80, 161;
list of, 85;
find coal in Australia, 162
Cook, portrait of, 118
Coral Islands, how formed, 126
Corner, Lieut.,
character of, 5;
blames Edwards, 22;
pursues mutineers, 31, 103;
examines sand key, 72;
voyage home, 83;
ships plants, 99;
eats food from native temple, 104;
robbed by natives, 60, 134
Coupang,
arrival at, 79, 159;
funeral of king, 163
Court martial on mutineers, 24
Cox, Captain, 31
Cox, James, escaped convict, 82
D.
Dances at Tahiti, 108
d'Entrecasteaux,
voyage, 19;
sights Vanikoro, 68 _note_
de Langle, massacre of, 51 _note_, 56 _note_
Diet
for long voyages, 6;
in the _Pandora_, 7
Dillon, Peter, discovers relics of La Pérouse, 68 _note_
Dingoes seen, 77, 151
Distilling spirits, 111
Drums, 116
Ducie Island, 7, 29;
identical with Encarnacion, 30 _note_, 101
Duke of Clarence Island, 40, 128
_Duke of Portland_, taken by natives, 13
Duke of York Island, 48, 128
D'Urville explores Vanikoro, 68 _note_
E.
East Bay, 70 _note_
Easter Island, sighted, 30 _note_, 101
Edea, Queen of Tahiti, 118
Edwards, Captain,
selected, 3;
orders to, 4;
character of, 4;
charged with inhumanity, 21;
touches at N. Australia, 22, 149;
recklessness in sailing at night, 142;
reproves mutineer for praying, 155
Eimeo, 121
Ellison,
trial of, 25;
arrest of, 33;
execution, 37
Endeavour Straits, 20
Eua visited, 17, 138
F.
Fatafehi
at Tofoa, 13, 135;
at Namuka, 52
Fataka, or Mitre Island, 67 _note_
Female infanticide, 114
Fiji,
visited by Kau Moala, 65 _note_;
discovery of, 81
Finau, Chief of Vavau, 49 _note_; 13, 57 _note_
Fire-arms
in Tahiti, 115;
in Eimeo, 121
Flinders' Passage, 22, 77
Fruy, Mr., Lieut.-Governor of Timor, 79
Fulanga Inland, lack of water, 14
Futuna Island, visited by Kau Moala, 64, 65 _note_
G.
Geese, left in Tahiti, 118
Geographical position of islands, 88, 89
Gordon, Colonel, 170
_Gorgon_, H.M.S., 23, 24, 83
Governor of Timor, 79, 159, 161
H.
Haapai, visited, 51, 131
Hæva dance, 108
Hamilton, Dr.,
his character, 5;
account of voyage, 6, 91;
on health of seamen, 100
Hayward, Lieut.,
his character, 5;
recognizes natives of Tofoa, 13, 54 _note_;
pursues mutineers, 31;
lands at Aitutaki, 41;
ships plants, 99;
recognized at Aitutaki, 123;
at Tofoa, 135
Health of seamen, 99, 100
_Hector_, H.M.S., 24
Hervey Islands, 42
Heywood's
account of "Pandora's Box," 9;
trial of, 25;
pardoned, 37
Hillbrandt, Henry,
arrest of, 33; 74 _note_;
gives information, 40, 123;
drowned, 37
Hood, Cape, 19, 69 _note_
Hood, Lord, Island, 29, 101
_Hoornwey_, voyage home, 83
Horn Island, visited, 22, 77
_Horssen_, voyage of, 83, 88
Houses, Tahitian, 116
Howe, Lord, 91
Huahaine visited, 39, 121
Human sacrifices, 114
I.
Indispensable Reef, 19, 69 _note_
Infanticide, 114
Innes, Mr., Surgeon's mate, 92, 157
Islands, list of, 88, 171
J.
Java, arrival at, 166
K.
Kao Island, 53, 60
Kandavu Island, why not visited, 15
Kau Moala, his voyage, 17, 65 _note_
Kava-drinking, 116
Kroutcheff, Captain, visited Mitre Island, 67 _note_
L.
Larkin, Lieut., 5;
at Timor, 79
_Lila_ sickness, 11, 117
Look-out Shoal, 70 _note_
Louisiades, 20;
named by Bougainville, 69 _note_
M.
Mackintosh,
arrest of, 33;
acquitted, 37;
works pumps, 73 _note_
Maikasa River, 70 _note_
Malt, as anti-scorbutic, 100
Mangaia Island, 42
Manua visited, 16, 136
Mariner, William,
narrative, 17;
account of Norton's murder, 54 _note_; 57 _note_
Mata-atua Harbour, 49 _note_
Matavai Bay, 102
Matuku Island,
visited by tender, 14, 16;
native traditions, 15
Maurelle discovers Vavau, 16
Maurua Island, 39, 122
_Megapodius_ at Niuafoou, 62
Mendaña visits Vanikoro, 68 _note_
Millward,
trial of, 25;
arrest of, 34;
executed, 37
Milk, dislike of, 118
Mitre Island, visited, 66
Moemoe ceremony, 135
Morrison,
character of, 9;
trial of, 25;
arrest of, 33;
his journal, 33;
pardoned, 37;
plan of escape, 37 _note_
Mourning
in Tonga, 49;
in Wallis Island, 64
Moulter, William, tries to save mutineers, 74 _note_
Mountainous Island, 152
Murray Islands, 71, 141
Musical Instruments, 116
Muspratt,
trial of, 25;
arrest of, 34;
executed, 37
Mutineers,
fate of, 3;
retire to mountains, 7;
their diet, 8;
build schooner, 9;
adventures at Tubuai, 35, 36;
take Tahitian women in _Bounty_, 38;
neglected at Timor, 30;
list of, 86, 89;
capture of, 105;
let out of irons, 144
N.
Namuka,
a rendezvous for tender, 12;
visited, 17, 52, 131, 138;
native shot, 60;
cannon fired, 61;
thefts by natives, 62
Nanga Cult, 128 _note_
Neiafu Harbour, Vavau, 57
New Year's Island, sighted, 99
Niuafoou
visited, 17, 62, 138;
large cocoanuts, 62;
_Megapodius_, 62
Norman,
arrest of, 33;
acquitted, 37;
works pumps, 73 _note_
North-West Reef, 77
Norton, his murderers recognized, 13, 54 _note_
Nukunono Island, visit to, 10, 46 _note_
O.
Oatafu Island, 40 _note_, 45
Odiddee (Titi) native of Bolabola, 31, 39
Oliver
commands tender, 12, 120;
discovers Fiji, 12, 166;
his log lost, 15;
encounters Dutch vessel, 16, 167
Omai, fate of, 39, 121
Ongea Island, lack of water, 14
Orangerie Bay, 69 _note_
Orissia, Tahitian chief, 33
Otaka Island, 39
Otoo, king of Tahiti, 31, 102, 107, 119
Overstratin, Governor of Java, 81, 168
P.
Palmerston Island,
list of crew lost at, 86;
visited, 42, 123;
_Bounty's_ yard found at, 44
_Pandora_,
fitted out, 3;
her ill luck, 6;
wrecked, 21, 142;
state of crew, 87;
disease on board, 91, 94;
patent ventilator, 95
Pandora's Bank, 66
Pandora's box,
excuse for, 7, 8;
cruelty of, 9, 34;
men drowned in, 74 _note_
Pan-pipes, 116
Papara district, 31, 33
Parrots, 130, 137
Passmore, Lieut., 5;
at Timor, 79;
surveys harbour, 119;
explores wreck, 145
Pearl shell ornaments, 123
"Peggy" Otoo, 110
Pérouse, de la, of, 18, 68
Pitcairn Island, 1;
arrival at, 3;
why chosen by mutineers, 10
Plot to take _Pandora_, 7, 106
Point Venus, water bad, 34
_Port-au-Prince_, taken by natives, 13
Providential Channel, 20
Pylstaart Island sighted, 16, 138
R.
Rarotonga, discovery of, 41 _note_
Reef Indispensable, 19
Religion of the Tahitians, 113
_Rembang_, voyage of, 24, 80, 165
Renouard, Midshipman,
his suffering, 12;
appointed to tender, 120
Rio di Janeiro,
arrival at, 28, 95;
life at, 96, 97;
slaves, 97;
probabilities of revolution, 97
Rodney Cape, 19, 69 _note_
Rotte Island, 78
Rotuma Island
discovered, 17, 56, 139;
incidents at, 18, 65, 139;
giants, 65 _note_;
Tongan language spoken, 66
Round Head, 70 _note_
S.
Samarang Island, 80, 166;
description of, 166
Samoa,
appearance of, 66, 129;
return to, 136
Samoans
attack tender, 12;
use turmeric, 129;
thefts by, 130
Saroa district, New Guinea, 19, 70 _note_
Saurkraut, as diet, 100
Savaii, sighted, 49, 129
Schouten,
visits Futuna, 65 _note_;
visits Niuafoou, 62
Scurvy, precautions against, 7
Sea-snakes, 155
_Seringapatam_, discovers Rarotonga, 41
_Shark_, H.M.S., encountered, 27
Sickness follows island discoveries, 11
Sival, Midshipman,
at Palmerston Island, 124;
lost, 126
Skinner, Richard, 30, 102;
drowned, 37, 74 _note_
Slave trade in Timor, 161
South Sea Islands, their value to England, 98
Spices in Samoa, 130
Staten Island sighted, 99
Stewart, Midshipman, 8;
surrenders, 30;
drowned, 37, 74 _note_
Stewart, "Peggy," 8, 106
"Strangers' Cold," 11
Sugar, first issued to Navy, 94
Sumner, John,
arrest of, 34;
drowned, 37
T.
Tahiti, arrival at, 29
Tahitians,
their religion, 113;
weapons, 115;
cloth, 115;
women, 116;
houses, 116
Tamarie, chief of Tahiti, 32, 105
Tattooing, 122
Tea and sugar, first used in Navy, 94
Temple, native, food taken from, 104
Teneriffe,
arrival at, 27, 92;
inhabitants of, 93
Tender
built by mutineers, 37;
commissioned, 9, 38, 120;
attacked by Samoans, 12, 166;
sale of, 16;
joins company, 80;
her adventures, 81, 166;
parts company, 51, 131;
her after-history, 33 _note_
Theft, punishment for, 111
Thompson, Matthew, killed, 30, 37, 110
Timor Island,
arrival at, 22, 78, 155;
governor of, 79;
description of, 160, 164;
yaws observed at, 164, 165 _note_
_Tofoa_,
visit of tender to, 13;
_Pandora_ visits, 132, 135, 160
Tongans
misnamed Friendly Islanders, 132;
remember Tasman, 133;
their women, 133;
mercenary character of, 134
_Tongatabu_
visited, 17;
seeds left, 133
Torres Straits, 20
Tree Island, 77, 150
Tubai, 122
Tubuai, 34, 53
Tubou of Tonga, 135
Tucopia, discovery of La Pérouse's relics, 68 _note_
Tukuaho, temporal king of Tonga, 52 _note_
Turmeric, used by Samoans, 50 129
_Tutuila_ visited, 16, 51, 55, 129, 136
U.
Ulietea Island, 39
Ulukalala, Finau, letter left with, 52
Union Group, visit to, 11, 40
Upolu visited, 16, 50, 129
V.
Vanikoro sighted, 18, 68 _note_
Vanion, Mynheer, Governor of Timor, 159, 161
Vatoa, discovered by Cook, 14
Vavau visited, 16, 55, 57, 136
Victoria, Mount, 20
Victualling of Navy, 94, 100
Volcanic disturbance in Vavau, 59
_Vreedemberg_, voyage of, 24, 81, 83, 88
W.
Wallis Island visited, 17, 63 _note_
Wanjon, Governor of Timor, 79
War canoes, 114
Weapons of Tahitians, 115
Williams, Rev. John, 41 _note_
Whales, sperm, 99
Wheat, as anti-scorbutic, 100
White's patent ventilator, 95
Women, status of, 116
Wreck of _Pandora_, 21, 72;
casualties at, 73 _note_; 142
Y.
Yaws, 165 _note_
Z.
Zimers, Surgeon-General, of Timor, 79
_Zwan_, voyage home, 83
GLASGOW: PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS BY ROBERT MACLEHOSE AND CO. LTD
Transcriber's Notes
1. This text contains inconsistencies in spelling, accented characters and
hyphenated words. They have been left as printed unless otherwise marked.
2. On page 142, a word, 'wastward' appears as printed as either 'eastward'
or 'westward' could be correct.
3. Obvious punctuation errors have been repaired.
4. Noted corrections:
Page 13, "Tofua" changed to "Tofoa"
Page 50, "one one" changed to "one"
Page 51, "Annanooka" changed to "Annamooka"
Page 63, "Boscawen's" changed to "Boscowen's"
Page 72, "threequarters" changed to "three quarters"
Page 79, "Surgeon General" changed to "Surgeon-General"
Page 89, "Astrotabe" changed to "Astrolabe"
Page 97, "Bouganvile" changed to "Bougainville"
Page 102, "Otaheety" changed to "Otaheitee"
Page 103, "Alredy" changed to "Aeredy"
Page 107, "unweildy" changed to "unwieldy"
Page 131, "Falafagee" changed to "Fallafagee"
Page 153, "untensils" changed to "utensils"
Page 159, "and and" changed to "and"
Page 175, "Macintosh" changed to "Mackintosh",
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