Tristan da Cunha: Difference between revisions

On 27 November 1885, the island suffered one of its worst tragedies after an iron [[barque]] named ''West Riding'' approached the island, whilst en route to [[Sydney]], Australia, from [[Bristol]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Millington |first=Peter |title=The Lifeboat Disaster |url=https://www.tristandc.com/po/stamps201512.php |url-status=dead |access-date=18 April 2021 |publisher=Tristan da Cunha Government & Tristan da Cunha Association |archive-date=4 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604195332/https://tristandc.com/po/stamps201512.php}}</ref> Due to the loss of regular trading opportunities, almost all of the island's able-bodied men approached the ship in a [[Lifeboat (rescue)|lifeboat]] attempting to trade with the passing vessel. The boat, recently donated by the British government, sailed despite rough waters and, although the lifeboat was spotted sailing alongside the ship for some time, it never returned. Various reports were given following the event, with rumours ranging from the men drowning,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grundy |first=Richard |title=Tristan da Cunha Isolation & Hardship 1853–1942 |url=https://www.tristandc.com/history1853-1942.php |date=9 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227075753/https://www.tristandc.com/history1853-1942.php |archive-date=27 February 2021 |access-date=18 April 2021 |publisher=Tristan da Cunha Government & Tristan da Cunha Association}}</ref> to reports of them being taken to Australia and sold as slaves.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Millington |first=Peter |title=The Lifeboat Disaster |url=https://www.tristandc.com/po/stamps201512.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124234904/http://www.tristandc.com/po/stamps201512.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 November 2015 |access-date=18 April 2021 |website=www.tristandc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> In total, 15 men were lost, leaving behind an island of widows. A plaque at [[St. Mary's Church, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas|St. Mary's Church]] commemorates the lost men.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Glass |first=Conrad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=90yYAgAAQBAJ&q=tristan+st+marys+plaque+lifeboat&pg=PT143 |title=Rockhopper Copper |date=2014 |publisher=Polperro Heritage Press |isbn=978-0-9530012-3-1 |language=en}}</ref>