206 YISIT OF ADMIEAL MOEESBY. 
a vessel was reported, which at sunset was 
strongly suspected of being a ship of war. 
The hours of the night passed tediously 
away, and before sunrise next morning 
several of our people were seated on the 
precipice in front of the town, anxiously 
waiting the report of a gun from the ship, 
which would give positive confirmation to 
the overnight suspicion of her being a ship 
of war ; nor were they kept long in suspense : 
the booming of a cannon electrified the town, 
and the whole community were thrown into 
a state of intense excitement, more especially 
as it was quickly observed that she wore an 
Admiral's flag ! 
" Our boat repaired on board, and, after a 
short time, another from the ship was seen 
approaching the shore. The teacher and some 
others went to the landing-place, and had the 
honour and pleasure of welcoming to Pit- 
cairn Rear- Admiral Moresby, Commander- 
in-Chief the first officer of that rank that 
ever visited Pitcairn. The admiral received 
our greetings of welcome in a most urbane 
manner, and both himself and his secretary, 
Mr. Fortescue Moresby, were pleased to 
