Voyage of H.M.S. 'Pandora' : $b despatched to arrest the mutineers of the 'Bounty' in the South Seas, 1790-91Edwards, Edward
History
Voyage of H.M.S. 'Pandora' : $b despatched to arrest the mutineers of the 'Bounty' in the South Seas, 1790-91
Edwards, Edward
Bounty (Ship); Pandora (Frigate); Voyages around the world -- Early works to 1800
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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