TRISTAN DA CUNHA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 18

TRISTAN DA CUNHA.

TWO SHIPS IN ONE DAY. ROYAL BOUNTY LANDED. A wireless message received in London recently stated that for the first time in the history of Tristan da Cunha, the world's loneliest island, two vessels arrived on the same day. Shortly after the Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Australia dropped anchor off the island, a Dutch submarine appeared. The message ran: — "Gifts from the King and Queen of England gladdened the hearts of the 172 inhabitants of the world's loneliest island to-day (Friday) when sailors from the Empress of Australia landed the Royal bounty and 17 tons of other supplies. "The weather was fine when the Empress of Australia arrived at seven this morning and clear enough for the top of the mountain to be seen. Captain Griffith, commander of the chip, makinjr his third visit in six years, said he had never seen the island without a cloud cover. "Monseigneur Cherry, of the Roman Catholic Church, who is a passenger, when lie learned that there was one Catholic family on the island, heard their confession for the first time and officiated at the first Mass ever celebrated on the island. All in Good Health. "Ship Surgeon E. F. D. Owen, the assistant surgeon, and two doctors who are passengers carried out a rapid but thorough medical survey of the islanders. Their report states that all the inhabitants are in good health.

"The chief steward, when advised that the Tristanitcs had been without tea. coffee. sucnr, and tobacco for some months, dipped heavily into the liner's store. Over 10 tons of necessities, including flour and other products were landed, and cruise members contributed generously from their wardrobes. "The only snd note of an otherwise sloriouslv happy day was the farewell taken of his parents by Robert Glass, arent-grandson of the island's original settler. who boarded the Km press of Australia for Europe. On his wnv lie will visit South America, the West Tndies. Cuba, and New York. Americans on board predicted a great welcome for him when the ship reached New York."