Chronology of Norfolk Island

Chronology of Norfolk Island to 1956

c.1200 AD – Polynesian settlement

1774

October 10: Captain James Cook, in command of HMS Resolution, arrived at Norfolk Island.

1788

March 4: Lieutenant Philip Gidley King and 4 others landed at Duncombe Bay to explore landing possibilities.

March 6: Lieutenant Philip Gidley King with 22 people (including 15 convicts) landed at Sydney Bay to form the first penal settlement. (Foundation Day)

1790

March: HMS Sirius wrecked on the reef at Sydney Bay.

1792

September: Population 1,115

1800

Planned convict uprising, 2 hanged.

1803

British government decided to move part of the settlement to Van Diemen’s Land. Many settlers petitioned to be allowed to remain.

1805

Many leave on the Investigator for Port Dalrymple in Van Diemen’s Land.

1810

March: Population: 177.

1813

February: 145 left for Sydney and Port Dalrymple. 35 remained to kill and salt stock.

1814

February: First penal settlement closed: island abandoned.

1825

June: Captain R Turton, commandant, re-occupied the island as a settlement for the worst felons.

1826

September: Convict uprising: 4 lives lost, 2 leaders later executed in Sydney.

1833

About 600 prisoners, 130 troops. Several murders and much unrest.

1834

January: Convict outbreak: 9 convicts died, 13 executed. Major Joseph Anderson became commandant.

1839

Major Thomas Bunbury succeeded Anderson. Soldiers revolted. Population: about 1,200 prisoners, 180 soldiers.

1840

Captain Alexander Maconochie, now superintendent (or commandant) introduced new system of penal reform.

1842

June: Attempt by prisoners to take over Governor Phillip.

1844

Major Joseph Childs became commandant: restored harsh penal code. Norfolk annexed to Van Diemen’s Land and administered from Hobart.

1846

July: Convict outbreak: 12 executed. John Price succeeded Childs. Decision made to evacuate Norfolk.

1848

Decision to retain Norfolk settlement for the present.

1852

Brutal treatment of prisoners caused Bishop Robert Wilson to recommend that convict station be closed. Norfolk suggested as new home for Pitcairn Islanders.

1856

Last convicts left for Hobart.

1856

June 8: Pitcairn Islanders arrived. (Anniversary (Bounty) Day)

1857

Proclamation of Laws and Regulations for Norfolk. In the absence of the governor, the executive government was vested in the chief magistrate and his two councillors.

1858

First party returned to Pitcairn Island.

1863

Second party returned to Pitcairn Island.

1866

Church of England Melanesian Mission headquarters established.

1870

Population about 340.

1880

St Barnabas chapel completed.

1884

Visit by Lord Augustus Loftus, governor of New South Wales and governor of Norfolk Island.

1885

Commissioner Henry Wilkinson reported on social conditions, land use, public works. Population: 662 (481 Islanders, 181 with Melanesian Mission).

1896

New Zealand raised objection to control of Norfolk by New South Wales. Viscount Hampden proclaimed new constitution. Government-appointed chief magistrate to reside on the island, Council of Elders established.

1897

Order-in-Council: Norfolk to be administered by the governor of the colony of New South Wales.

1900

Order-in-Council: Norfolk to be administered by the governor of the state of New South Wales.

1902

Pacific Cable Board’s station at Anson Bay opened.

1903

Executive Council set up.

1911

Population: 985 (Pitcainers, Norfolk Islanders, Melanesian Mission staff and scholars, others).

1913

Norfolk Island Act 1913 provided for the island to become a territory under the authority of the Commonwealth.

1914

Norfolk Island Act 1913 became operative. An administrator, also appointed chief magistrate, placed in charge of the island.

1926

Royal Commission into Norfolk affairs. Administrator Colonel E T Leane recalled.

1930

Banana boom. 339 hectares under cultivation (the largest area since convict days).

1932

Depression sets in.

1933

Population: 1,231.

1935

Norfolk Island Act 1913 amended: position of chief magistrate separated from that of administrator. Advisory Council established.

1936

Depression eased and new industries flourished.

1939

World War II began.

1942

December: First aircraft landed on new airstrip and Pacific air patrols began, using Norfolk airstrip.

1943

Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel stationed on the island.

1945

Bean seed became an important export industry.

1948

Growth of air traffic with QANTAS and New Zealand National Airways operating regular flights.

1956

Centenary of landing of the Pitcairn Islanders. A week’s celebrations, including re-enactment of original landing. Economy improved with revival of whaling industry.

Image: Norfolk Island as a penal settlement, 1853.

Credit : Bounty Museum