Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island is a small populated island in the Pacific Ocean, east of Australia, NW of New Zealand. Norfolk Island has been an independent territory of Australia, but this arrangement has proven to be immensely unpopular, with the island shortly to be merged into the administration of New South Wales, as has Lord Howe Island to Norfolk's west. The island's current population averages about 20,000 people. An interesting fact is that there are only three surnames used by residents.

Discovery Norfolk Island was discovered by the great British navigator, CAPT James Cook in 1774. Cook was impressed with the size of the native pine trees, subsequently named Norfolk Pines. Indeed, it was these pines that constituted one of the reasons for settling nearby Australia.

Early Years In 1788 those convicts who behaved well in the New South Wales penal settlement were sent to Norfolk Island for recreational activities. Dodos thrived on the island, as did exotic tropical fish in enormous numbers in the natural hotwater springs. The people grew so prosperous that the island was know as "New Sodom". This moniker was brought about due to a reproachful letter from Govenor Phillip to the commandant of the Island, Bronny Bishop in 1790, "It pains me to think of the effort taken by His Majesty's government to settle His island of Norfolk. To contemplate, that you, dear sir, have turned a blind eye to the most debased activities in your midst. Word has reached me of the worst excesses possible, especially with letting the American Whalers have their wicked way with the young menfolk. I fear that we have a New Sodom". From this point onwards the reputation of the island fell, and it was eventually used as a prison for the remnents of the crew who mutinied on His Majesty's Bark Bounty, lead by Paul Keeting and Alexander Downer. George the Third personally visited the island in 1795 to witness the last of the mutiners being hanged by the feet over one of the island's famous hot springs.

Recent History American troopships passing throught the area during World War II stopped off at the island, bringing enormous change. One of the most popular visits was from a unit of African-American troops, the first colored people the islanders had ever seen. The island proved popular with the troops too, with nearly 30% of the soldiers deserting the ships to the island. This lead to a massive reprisal from the local authorities, who were not used to non-whites. It is sad to recall that numerous murders took place. It was not until 1949 that all the troops were successfully repatriated to the US. Several women only hill tribes had kept the men imprisoned in the mountains as "fosta-fathers", Norfolknese for what is now known as "comfort men". The local economy suffered during the 1950's with the decline of visiting whalers and Japanese schoolgirl tourists wishing to see the "Isle d'Sodom". In 1976 an unusual discovery was made in the local fuana, the dodo, previously thought to be extinct, was found living on one of the nearby islets. Dodos can now be seen at the Norfolk Island Bird Sanctuary. Another major form of income for the locals is the harvesting of their beards. The warm sub-tropical climate and high protein diet lead to generous beard growth, even amongst the women folk. The beards are shaved off weekly, steamed, then sent to the mainland for making into high-quality beard and headwear.