
Witness History The remote island that was evacuated to 10,000km away
9 snips
Oct 8, 2025 In 1961, a volcanic eruption forced the entire population of Tristan da Cunha to evacuate to the UK. Islanders faced a harrowing escape filled with earthquakes and landslides. Mary Swain shares her chilling experiences during this time of chaos and uncertainty. Once in Britain, they encountered a culture shock that left lasting impressions. After assessing the damage, islanders voted to return home, leading to a monumental repatriation effort. The story captures resilience and the deep connection to one’s homeland.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Refusing To Leave Home During Quake
- Mary Swain resisted evacuation at first and tried to stay in her own house despite warnings.
- Her son Willie forced her to move to the West Line for safety after a big earthquake and landslide.
Earth Opening And Last-Minute Packing
- Mary describes the earth opening under the settlement and her hurried attempts to salvage belongings.
- She returned for shoes and tried to pack essential items while the ground rose and fissures appeared.
Escaping To The Potato Patches
- Mary lists the few essentials she managed to take: a rifle, a big overcoat and a lamp.
- She and Fred trudged in rain to the potato patches and huddled together cold, wet, and hungry like "sardines in a tin."
