Australian seeks Orkney links with sunken warship

A hunt is on for Orcadian links to the warship Pandora, wrecked off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef more than two centuries ago.

The Pandora was sent to the South Pacific in pursuit of the Bounty mutineers, and there were 14 of them aboard when she went down in August 1791. One, who died in the wreck, was George Stewart from Stromness. 31 of the Pandora’s crew were lost – with six Orcadians among them. These  men were forced into the Royal Navy by the Press Gang.

The skeletal remains of three bodies have been recovered from the wreck, but are so far unidentified. However, a new breakthrough in DNA analysis made by an Australian PhD student has made it possible to sequence DNA from heavily waterlogged remains.

In a search for family connections, Australian archaeologist Peter Gesner is coming to Orkney in search of clues. He will later give a talk on the subject at the Orkney International Science Festival in September.

Anyone with information should contact Howie Firth on 01343 540844.