Mutiny of the Bounty and story of Pitcairn Island, 1790-1894Young, Rosalind Amelia
History
Mutiny of the Bounty and story of Pitcairn Island, 1790-1894
Young, Rosalind Amelia
Bounty Mutiny, 1789; Pitcairn Island
Besides the organ, the result that immediately followed the admiral’s
appeal to the “munificent people of England” was seen in the abundant
and varied substantial gifts sent to the island on H. M. S. _Osprey_ in
March, 1880. When the admiral’s account of his visit was published in
England, a ready response was made to his appeal by many friends there,
and subscriptions were immediately set on foot. The chairman of the
committee to direct matters and dispose of the various subscriptions,
the Rev. Andrew A. W. Drew, a clergyman of the Church of England,
particularly exerted himself in the interests of the islanders, he
and his wife attending personally to the packing of the many boxes
that contained the gifts, the task being a most wearisome one, as,
owing to the long way the boxes had to come, they needed to be packed
with the greatest care. Every article that was sent was of the best.
A large supply of schoolbooks and the much-needed slates and pencils
also came, a gratefully received addition to what the good people of
San Francisco had previously supplied. Especial mention should be made
of the handsome gift of a number of Oxford Bibles—teachers’ editions
and others. Each Sunday school teacher was furnished with a teacher’s
Bible, which was valued accordingly, and the happy possessors felt that
on them were bestowed the richest gifts that England sent.
The beautiful and costly present of two boats was also received,
and that too with feelings akin to shame that so much thought and
kindness had been bestowed on the islanders, whose part in receiving
far surpassed that of the “more blessed” giving. One of the boats was
named “Queen Victoria,” and it bears an inscription to the effect that
it was a gift sent in recognition of the “gallant services rendered by
the islanders in saving life.” The other boat, a whaleboat, was named
“Admiral Drew,” in remembrance of the father of the Rev. A. Drew, the
gentleman above mentioned. Mr. Drew had had the latter boat built
strictly in accordance with his own directions, and the beautiful
little craft answers admirably the purpose for which it was intended,
viz., battling with the heavy surf that so frequently beats upon the
shore.
Thus much in regard to the response made to the admiral’s appeal by the
large-hearted donors in England. A volume could, however, be written
respecting the numberless gifts from private individuals and others,
that have from time to time been showered upon the people of this
remote spot of earth, gifts that have been received with gratitude
mingled with a feeling of unworthiness on the one hand, and of
dependence on the other, enabling the recipients to experience in all
its force the truth of the expression, “It is more blessed to give than
to receive.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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