106 PITCAIRN'S ISLAND. 
high, that we saw it at the distance of more than 
fifteen leagues ; and it having been discovered 
by a young gentleman, son to Major Pitcairn, 
of the marines, we called it PITCAIRN'S ISLAND. 
This young man was unfortunately lost in the 
Aurora.* While we were in the neighbouihood 
of this island, the weather was extremely tem- 
pestuous, with long rolling billows from the 
southward, larger and higher than any I had 
seen before. The winds were variable, but 
blew chiefly from the SS.W., W. and W.N.W. 
We had very seldom a gale to the eastward ; so 
that we were prevented from keeping in a high 
south latitude, and were constantly driving to 
the northward." f 
Pitcairn's Island, distant about 1,200 miles 
from Otaheite, is of volcanic origin. The pecu- 
liar features of the volcanic islands, of which 
there are several in the South Seas, show that 
they have been elevated from the bed of the 
ocean by the resistless force of fire, which has 
given a vertical character, and jagged outline, 
to their rocky mountains, and greatly increased 
the wild beauties of their scenery. Pitcairn is 
in latitude 25 4' south, and longitude 130 8' 
west; and the highest point is about 1,008 feet 
above the level of the sea. In clear weather 
the island may be seen at forty miles' distance. 
It is four miles and a half in circumference, one 
* His father, Major Pitcairn, was killed at the battle of 
Bunker's Hill, in America, in 1775. 
t Voyage round the World, by Captain P, Carteret, Com- 
mander of H.M. Sloop Swallow, in 1766-7-8-9, Passage from 
Mas-afuera to Queen Charlotte's Islands, chap. lii. 
