CHAPTER XI.
Removal to NORFOLK ISLAND
WHEN, in 1853, Admiral Moresby visited Pitcairn Island, he saw that the rapidly increasing numbers of the inhabitants would soon necessitate a removal of a part, or the whole, of the community to a larger place, although he judged that Pitcairn Island, if brought under proper cultivation, was capable of maintaining a thousand inhabitants. The admiral argued that as a removal must be made at some future time, it would be the wisest course to have it done as early as possible, only he stipulated that all the people should go together.
And now the time was rapidly approaching. A report was sent to the home government concerning the matter, and early in the year 1856 H. M. S. Juno was sent from the colonies to inform the islanders that arrangements were being made for their removal to a larger island, and also to advise them to make the necessary preparations for their departure.
The tidings were received with different feelings. Some were ready to seize the opportunity of improving their worldly prospects, and the very thought of a change from their hitherto quiet lives was hailed with delight, while others, to whom home and its associations were dearer than any prospect that could be held out to them, preferred to remain, and probably were only restrained from so doing because the advice of their good friend, the admiral, was that all should go and receive their grant of land.
The island chosen for the future home of the Pitcairn islanders was Norfolk Island, once a penal settlement. The island is about twenty miles in circumference, and well capable of maintaining several thousand inhabitants.
In the latter part of April, 1856, the Morayshire, commanded by Captain Joseph Mathers, arrived from Sydney, to carry the emigrants to their new home. By the second day of May everything was ready, and the time had come to say farewell to the dear old spot where all their lives had been spent. Some, with buoyant hopes and bright expectations, stepped on board the ship that was to carry them away, while others—and these the far greater number—with sad hearts and tear-dimmed eyes left their island home. Utterly lonely and desolate, the little rock stood in the vast ocean as it slowly receded from view, and many a silent tear was shed and final farewell whispered for the dear old home that most of them were to behold no more, and which to many was most sacred because of the loved ones sleeping there.
The passage to Norfolk Island was accomplished in thirty-six days, and was, on the whole, rather pleasant than otherwise to the emigrants. But few of them suffered from seasickness during the entire voyage. On the 8th of June, 1856, the Morayshire arrived at Norfolk Island, and well pleased was the worthy captain to get rid of the noisy crowd, the children more especially, who tried his patience sorely, and who often enlivened the ship with their cries and screams. No death occurred on the passage, but one poor little baby who was sick all the way, lingered only a few days after landing, and then died.
When the Morayshire arrived at Norfolk Island, H. M. S. Herald was already there surveying. Boats from the latter ship boarded the new arrival, bringing acceptable supplies of fresh provisions. Her people also very kindly assisted in landing the emigrants and their goods. The crew of a whaling vessel rendered help as well. When the Morayshire left, after a stay of a little over two weeks, the captain took away the few persons that had been on the island to take care of the property ere it passed into other hands. The passengers who left Norfolk Island on the Morayshire were a Mr. Stuart, who acted as governor, and his wife, a man by the name of Rogers, his wife and little daughter, and an elderly couple named Waterson. Besides these were eight reformed convicts, whose work was to look after the affairs of the place.