Ducie is a small isolated atoll and is the easternmost of the Pitcairn Islands. The island’s most prominent bit of history is the 1881 wreckage of the ship Acadia, which ran aground on the island when the lookout mistook the island for a cloud due to its white beaches. Ducie is a mere speck in the surrounding expanse of ocean, uninhabited except for the estimated 500,000 nesting seabirds that reside among the two plant species (Beach Heliotrope and at least one specimen of Pemphis) that grow over seventy percent of the island. Bird species that visitors may be able to see include Murphy's Petrels, White Terns, Great Frigatebirds and Masked Boobies. Under good conditions the wreck of the Acadia or the atoll’s lagoon waters offer interesting snorkel opportunities.
Ducie Island has a total area of 1.5 square miles which includes the lagoon. It is 1.5 miles long, measured northeast to southwest, and about 1 mile wide, The island is composed of four islets: Acadia, Pandora, Westward and Edwards. Despite its sparse vegetation, the atoll is known as the breeding ground of a number of bird species. More than 90% of the world population of Murphy's petrel nests on Ducie, while pairs of red-tailed tropicbirds and fairy terns make around 1% of the world population for each species.
Ducie was first discovered in 1606 by Pedro Fernandes de Queiros, who named it Luna Puesta, and rediscovered by Edward Edwards, captain of HMS Pandora, who was sent in 1790 to capture the mutineers of HMS Bounty. He named the island Ducie in honour of Francis Reynolds-Moreton, 3rd Baron Ducie. In 1867, it was claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act, but the United Kingdom annexed it on 19 December 1902 as part of the Pitcairn Islands. Due to its inaccessibility and the distance from Pitcairn Island, Ducie is rarely visited, receiving one to two visits a year from cruise ships.
On 5 June 1881, the mail ship Acadia ran aground on the island while returning from San Francisco, Peru after unloading its cargo. On the way to Queenstown or Falmouth for new orders, Master Stephen George calculated a route passing 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) to the east of Ducie. George left the first mate in command at 6 am. Half an hour later, the first mate saw a white line, which he disregarded on the assumption that it was phosphorescence in the water. Later, realising that it was land, he manoeuvred to avoid running aground, but failed. The look-out excused himself by saying that he thought that the white land was a cloud. The crew made several unsuccessful attempts to re-float the ship, after which the master sailed one of the ship's boats to Pitcairn Island. He was assisted there by the local inhabitants and returned aboard the Edward O'Brien, an American boat, to rescue the rest of the crew. The incident was later investigated in a court in Liverpool, where the ultimate cause of the wreck was left undetermined . The court declared the master not guilty of any wrongdoing. A stone marker with a memorial inscription is located at the landing point on Acadia Islet. It was unveiled to commemorate the recovery of the anchor in 1990. The wreck lies offshore from the memorial stone in about 10 metres of water. In 1969, the atoll was proposed as an "Island for Science", and was later recommended as a Ramsar Site. With the eradication of the island's rats during 1997, the birds now have a safer living environment.
March 29th
Chris took a seasick pill as she felt queasy on getting up and then felt like a zombie for the rest of the day. Chris was disappointed by the Venetian Society meeting as they did not say how many days the most intrepid travellers had travelled with Silverseas, other than one couple received a 500 day certifificate. Did enjoy dinner with the hotel director, Ormaz, from Turkey, though- 2 Americans from Rochester, N.Y. And the boutique manager , Tina, also ate with us
March 30th
A far better day. Used the gym, as we do most seadays, after breakfast and had a walk round deck. As Damon had put the fear of god into all with his lectures on Pitcairn, and how difficult it was to land, I asked Lea about it, and she said Chris would be fine on doing the landing, as she was light enough to be carried ashore if necessary. The clocks went back for the 4th time
March 31st
Arrived at Ducie island after lunch. In the morning we had talks by Jackie on the Islands & Atolls of the Pacific Ocean, volcanic in origin And then ´Sex & Violence on the Beach, bird lifé, given, obviously, by Damon.
Lunch up on deck and then the cancellation of a landing on the island, and, even of a zodiac cruise as there was too much swell . Instead we were promised the alternative of a full day at Henderson; a landing in the morning and then snorkelling in the afternoon. At Recap and Briefing Marieke again spent ages protesting how hard she had tried to make things work for us but that Safety must always come first: facts we were well aware of- the Lady does protest too much and it really irks!.
Bottom line was we never got to Dulcie