Pitcairners

by Robert B. Nicolson

The Bounty Mutineers were a lost tribe in the South Pacific, who finally found a safe haven in Pitcairn Island. There they, along with a small group of Tahitian men and women, hid from the world and established a far from ideal community. Racism and greed created divisions, blood was spilt - in the end, few would make it off the isolated island of Pitcairn alive. The descendents of those that stayed, however, more than made up for the failings of their ancestors. They became a model of piety and purity. From the fate of the mutineers to life on the island 200 years later, Robert Nicolson reveals a fascinating story.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a factual account of what happened to the Bounty mutineers who eventually found sanctuary on the tiny, isolated island of Pitcairn where they felt reasonably confident they could escape British justice (which they did). Along with them were some men and women from the Tahitian islands. In spite of food being abundant and life pretty good, violence broke out leading to a terrible series of murders. The descendants of the original mutineers did better, establishing a peaceful, pious community.
The narrator makes the most of scant records from the time and takes care to not speculate, but I would have preferred more speculation and filling the gaps to provide a rounder picture of life on the island. There are too many long lists of people and very few to no stories. Still, this is an engaging read for anyone curious about the history of the Bounty mutineers.

[Ryan Hazlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living on Norfolk island, this js essential reading.
A factual report on the people who eventually migrated from Pitcairn island.

Nicolson uses his extensive sources to his advantage and can conjour up some emotive passages as well as the facts

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history of the Bounty Mutineers & Tahitians who found and hid (from the British Navy) on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific. Initially the community was beset by racial violence and greed. The second and third generations, however, become a model of Christian virtue.

Today there are still ~50 descendants living on Pitcairn Island, making it the least inhabited jurisdiction in the world.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and learning about the mutiny on the Bounty and the Pitcairners. Very interesting.