A Trip on the Cutter “Pitcairn”
By G. F. Jones
THIS is not the brigantine “Pitcairn,” but the “Pitcairn” of Pitcairn Island, recently bought for the Pitcairn people by the British government, in order to help them get rid of their produce and to enable them to connect with the mail at Mangareva, three hundred miles distant. We sailed from Papeete, Tahiti, June 1, a bright, sunny morning. We expected to make a fine-weather voyage, if not a short one, on our trip to Pitcairn Island. When night came, we had to battle earnestly against head winds, and seas and currents which kept us in sight of Tahiti for three days. Our crew consisted of five men and the daughter of one of the crew,—six in all. We were cramped for room, as the boat accommodates only two; every day brought new difficulties. I have sailed many years all the world over in various ships, but I never before experienced such a trying and uncomfortable time. It seemed at times as if Satan had entire control of the sea, the wind, and the weather. It was our lot to encounter storms, high seas, and head winds for thirty days. Heavy rains, as well as taking seas on board, kept our clothing wet through for two weeks. Our teeth fairly chattered, and our limbs ached, and coughs and colds were prevalent. For more than two weeks, our meals consisted of dry sea biscuits for breakfast, and the same for supper. Most of us were troubled with salt-water boils. These are very painful, and generally come on the joints. I had a bad one on my knee, which compelled me to crawl about on my hands; indeed, one trouble after another kept coming, but through it all we sang praises to God night and morning. We understood well that these trials were permitted to test our faith in him, and that in his own good time he would deliver us out of all our distresses. His promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” was bright before us all the time. The good Lord filled us with courage and hope, took away all fear, and kept us cheerful in spite of our distresses. We were drawn very close to him; and while our provisions were running short, and the water had turned bad, there was joy in looking forward to our deliverance. Once we came within fifty miles of seeing Pitcairn Island, then we used up about all we had, expecting to arrive there in the morning; but a head wind set in, and drove us away near a dangerous reef, where we were tossed about in a storm for a week. This was followed by a calm, which drifted us away still farther; but the end of all this came at last, and a fair wind and a beautiful morning brought us to Pitcairn. Here a lifeboat came off loaded with our dear brethren from the island. O what a happy morning that was! They loaded our deck with the juiciest fruits I ever tasted. Our experiences strongly reminded us of the fact that each of us is on a voyage to the heavenly Canaan, and that all that the elements of this world can do to hinder us on the voyage, only serves to let us know “what a Friend we have in Jesus.” We shall some day end our weary journey, and land on the “evergreen shore.” “In that pure home of tearless joy
Earth’s parted friends shall meet,
With smiles of love that never fade,
And blessedness complete.
There, there adieus are sounds unknown;
Death frowns not on that scene,
But life and glorious beauty shine,
Untroubled and serene.”