NAVY DEPARTMENT
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 15 December 1939
NORTH STAR'S VISIT—PIT CAIRN ISLAND
The Executive Committee of the Antarctic Service announced today that the
United States Motor Ship NORTH STAR visited Pitcairn Island on December 14 and re-
ported that the two hundred inhabitants of lonely Pitcairn Island driven by the
second World War to primitive means of subsistence are suffering from foot shortage
and lack of medical attention-   The plight of the ialanders, many of whom are direct
descendants of nine mutineers from the ill-fated H.M.S. BOUNTY, was disclosed today
when the NORTH STAR, flagship of the united States Antarctic Expedition, landed
shore parties on the South Sea Isle,   The NORTH STAR, commanded by Captain I sale
Lystad, Is carrying Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Commanding Officer, and forty-
four members of the United States Antarctic Service to Antarctica.
The islanders were found in no danger of starvation but sorely in need of
flour, sugar, lard, potatoes, matches and medical supplies of all kinds. Those
boarding the vessel were virtually in rags.-   Curtailment of regular ship service
to the island as a result of hostilities in Europe, explained Chief Magistrate
Richard E. Christian, had deprived the community of its sole livelihood—trading
of fruits and produce to passing vessels*
Breakdown of the island's only radio transmitter, Christian added, had made
it impossible to advise British authorities of their plight. The magistrate asked
that the expedition's radio be used to communicate with the British High Gommis-..*
sioner at Bfcva, Fiji*
Following a survey of conditions in the village, Admiral Byrd and Captain
Lystad ordered immediate issuance of such emergency supplies as could be spared.
By agreement the supplies will be.replaced in New Zealand when the ship docks
about December 25.   The list included 4,000 pounds of flour, 3,700 pounds of
sugar, 10 crates of potatoes, 10 gross of matches, 10 cases of lard, and 55 gallons
of gasoline for the island's radio power plant*
- 2 -
The expedition's medical officers, Drs. Russell G. Frazer and Alfred D.
Geyer spent a busy day.   Each treated between fifteen and twenty patients for
•ilments ranging from cuts and toothaches to diseases in advanced stages. The
island is without medical officer or dentist,   Departure of the NORTH STAR was
ime for preparation of badly needed medicines.   Additional assist
tance was given the islanders by Chief Machinist Vernon D. Boyd, First Assistant
Engineer Thomas E. Holland, and Radio Operators Felix Ferranto and W. R. Giles.
While Giles and Ferranto overhauled the island's radio receiver, Boyd and Hollan<
repaired the community's disabled generator.   The radio transmitter already is
undergoing repa
Panama.
'itcairn, Christian informed Admiral Byrd, was the
twenty-five minutes. The
emphasized that no criticism of
blame \
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