PITCAIRN ENTERPRISE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16550, 28 May 1917, Page 7

PITCAIRN ENTERPRISE.

«- — BUILDING OF A SCHOONER. An interesting account of the first trip of The Messenger, the schooner recently built by the Pikairn Islanders, is given by Pastor F. E. Lyndon, of Tahiti. Piteaim lies in the extreme west of the Pacific archipelagos, and is so isolated that the late R. M. Ballantyne, in his book tolling the story of Pitcairn, styled it "The Lonely Island." Since the opening of the Panama Canal, however, its isolation has to a largo extent been broken, as western-bound vessels find it a handy siot at which to replenish their supplies , of water, fruit, and vegetables. Since the beginning of the war Pitcairn has had little opportunity of receiving mails and regular supplies which had previously been received through periodical visits of British warships. This led the islanders to undertake the strenuous task of building a schooner in order to establish communication with Tahiti. Without proper tools, without materials, and without facilities and experience, tho I work was begun about eighteen months ago. The islanders, who are adherents of the Seventh Day Adventist denomin-' ation, under the leadership of their missionary, Mr. R. M. Adams, of Victoria, prayed in simple faith that God would provide for their needs. On the principle that Providence helps those who help themselves, all the old. iron on the island was contributed for the purpose of making nails, and timber was sawn from the native trees and dragged to the beach. Soon a vessel called, and the interest of the captain was enlisted. Practical aid was rendered by him in supplying some of the much-needed tools, etc. When supplies ran low, earnest prayer was again offered, and the answer came in the visit of another vessel. This occurred repeatedly, until at last the boat was completed and launched on January 15 last~a day ever to be remembered on Pikairn. "The long'lcoked-for schooner from Pitcairn Island arrived in Papeete on March 1, after a passage of 44 days. The run to Mangareva was accomplished in four days. At this place the boat remained one week, and then commenced its trip to Papeete. After a few days j sailing out on the deep they experienced ] heavy weather and contrary winds, which blew them due south for a distance of 500 miles. For 40 hours hurricane weather was experienced, but no water washed their decks and no damage was done. The little craft seemed to be bomo along over the huge seas by the angels as the ark of old. For three weeks no headway was made, consequently mucu perplexity seized the crew. They were ' blown' by tho wind till they were within inn m ;ia. «f Rnivnevae. of tho Austral

300 miles ot mivaevae, ui «» "7"? Group, and had only two buckets of fresh water left and very little provisions. However, after casting lots, and drawing in favour of Papeete, a favourable wind immediately sprung up. which carried them in eight days to this port, "The beat is a real credit to the islanders, the masts are short, but have served their purpose during the first trip. The captain, George Warren, told mo that of a truth the ship was built through prayer. Our missionary, Mr. Adams, says when they could go no further for want of materials they mot together for prayer, and in every case their prayers were answered, by ships calling and giving them what they needed. The schooner is about 25 tons, and it* name is Messen-