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Pitcairn Island

Posted:January, 21 2015

THE U.S.A. – PITCAIRN CONNECTION

PITCAIRN ISLAND WAS FIRST SIGHTED ON CAPTAIN PHILIP CARTERET’S ROUND-THE-WORLD VOYAGE IN 1766-1769. IT WAS SEEN AT A DISTANCE OF “MORE THAN 15 LEAGUES” BY A YOUNG SAILOR NAMED PITCAIRN. HE WAS THE SON OF MAJOR JOHN PITCAIRN, OF THE MARINES. THIS WAS THE SAME MAJOR PITCAIRN WHO COMMANDED THE BRITISH MARINES AT CONCORD, WHEN THE FIRST SHOT OF THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE WAS FIRED IN 1776. MAJOR PITCAIRN WAS LATER KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.

HOW DID THE UNITED STATES FLAG, “OLD GLORY”, GET ITS NAME?
THE U.S.A.- PITCAIRN CONNECTION

IN 1831, CAPTAIN WILLIAM DRIVER, OF THE BRIG CHARLES DOGGETT, OUT OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, OFFERED TO TAKE THE AILING PITCAIRNERS BACK TO THEIR ISLAND HOME FROM TAHITI. THEY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO TAHITI EARLIER IN THE YEAR BECAUSE OF OVERCROWDING ON PITCAIRN, BUT DISEASE, 12 DEATHS, AND THE LOOSE MORALS OF THE TAHITIANS MADE THEM EAGER TO LEAVE. FOR THE VOYAGE THAT TOOK CAPT. DRIVER TO TAHITI, FRIENDS IN SALEM HAD PRESENTED HIM WITH A 24-STAR AMERICAN FLAG. AS HIS SHIP MET THE OPEN SEA, THE FLAG UNFURLED, REVEALING THE STARS AND STRIPES. DOGGETT EXCLAIMED, “OLD GLORY!” – AND THAT’S WHAT THE FLAG IS STILL CALLED TODAY. THE CHARLES DOGGETT REACHED PITCAIRN ON 3RD SEPTEMBER 1831, AFTER A 3-WEEK VOYAGE FROM PAPEETE.