Islanders Sail For New Home—In Scotland?

Press, Volume C, Issue 29643, 13 October 1961, Page 13

Islanders Sail For New Home —In Scotland?

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright)

CAPE TOWN, October 12. The 280 islanders of Tristan da Cunha sailed sadly into the twentieth century today with the few pitiful belongings they had managed to save stored in their cabins in the Dutch liner Tjisadane.

They wept as they took their last looks at their island home and wondered when, if ever, they would see it again, the Associated Press said. The 9284-ton Tjisadane, after embarking them from Nightingale Island, 18 miles away, had steamed close to Tristan, with its three fiery cones and dense clouds of smoke, for a final look, and to weigh the possibilities of salvaging more of the islanders’ possessions. She later set course for Cape Town, and the weary Tristanians, after a good hot meal, turned in for the first comfortable sleep they had had for two days. The Tjisadane dipped her flag in a farewell salute to the Tristania and the Frances Repetto, two small crayfishing vessels that had rescued the islanders from their vol-

cano-ravaged home, and landed them safely .on bleak Nightingale Island’ to await the Tjisadane’s arrival. But for about a dozen, none of the Tristanians have been out of sight of their island in their lives. They have never seen a train, car, city, or town. An official of the British Embassy in Pretoria. Mr Peter Lewis, is flying to Cape Town to arrange for their reception and temporary accommodation. It is believed they will spend a minimum of time in Cape Town, before going on to London, probably by air. Experts said the eruption of Tristan da Cunha might prove massive and long or a small affair lasting a few days. Then days would have to elapse after the eruptions ended before it would be safe for anyone to return.

Although they may not be able to use their crayfish factory on the island for some time, if at all, the two fishing vessels will continue their activities in the area until the season ends in April. The islanders may be offered a new island—in Scotland. British newspapers reported today. Last night an official of the Scottish Office said the sparsely - populated Western Isles of Scotland could be an ideal home for them. “It is the same sort of life." he said. “In the Western Isles, they are almost selfsufficient with their fishing and their crofts. “They grow or catch most of what they eat and they have little contact with the outside world. The main difference is in the climate—it is a bit colder in the isles:”