Community and History
The Tristan da Cunha Islands were discovered, and the main island named, by the Portuguese Admiral Tristao da Cunha en route to the Cape of Good Hope in 1506. Tristan started to appear on nautical maps from 1509 and also featured on Mercator’s 1541 World Map.
Why is it British?
It was the British military which secured 
the political future of Tristan da Cunha, when, on 14 August 1816, a garrison aboard HMS Falmouth took possession of the island on behalf of King George III. The base, known as Fort Malcolm, was established for two reasons. First, because of concerns that the French might use the island as a base to effect a rescue of Napoleon following his imprisonment on St Helena after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. And secondly to prevent US ships from using Tristan as a base, as they had during the 1812-14 War of Independence. The Admiralty soon dismissed Tristan’s strategic importance, especially after the wreck of HMS Julia off the Fort in May 1817 with the loss of 55 men. The garrison was formally withdrawn aboard HMS Euridice in November 1817.
The founding of the community
A small group, led by Scot Corporal William Glass (with his South African wife Maria and two children) persuaded the commanding officer of the departing garrison to allow them to remain on Tristan. They began a most remarkable project which they called 'the firm', underpinned by a signed voluntary agreement of communal living including: equal shares of stock and stores; equally divided profit; equal shares in paying for purchases; no one superior over another. This agreement was signed on 7th November 1817 and thus began the modern history of this unique community. For more information on Tristan’s history, please visit our sister site at www.tristandc.com