In 1810 an Italian Thomas Curry (Tomasso Corri), an American Jonathan Lambert and Williams, also known as Andrew Millet, arrived at Tristan to settle. They renamed the Tristan Islands ‘Islands of Refreshments’ and were interested in starting up a trading station with passing ships. However, when the British Garrison arrived in 1816 to take possession of the island, there was only Thomas left on the island with another companion Bastino Commilla. He informed the Garrison that Lambert and Williams were drowned in a boat accident. Thomas Curry was fond of his drink and, when in his drunken stupor, often boasted of his hidden treasure. He promised the soldiers that before his death he would reveal, to whomever was kindest to him, where the treasure was hidden. Unfortunately he died a few months after the Garrison’s arrival without revealing where his treasure was hidden. After much searching, the treasure was never found. To this day, if any of the community are digging on the island of Tristan and uncover a box or pot of some sort, they will always say “I wonder if that’s Thomas Curry’s Kettle full of treasure”.
We believe The Old Flagpole was erected by the British Garrison in 1816 and overlooked Big Beach. From here any arriving ships could see that the island belonged to Britain. The Flagpole was still in existence in 1961 and it was said the volcanic eruption of that time missed it by about three feet. When the islanders arrived back to the island in 1963 the Flagpole was relocated. As you leave the flagpole on your left you will see what is known as the Mission Garden (S37° 03.955' W012° 18.347'). This was formerly known as Fort Malcolm by the British Garrison from the 21st Light Dragoons that arrived in 1816. The Garrison arrived aboard HMS Falmouth on 14th August 1816 and took possession of the island on behalf of King George III. This fort was established to secure the island as there were concerns that the French may use the island as an escape route for Napoleon, who was imprisoned on St Helena after his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and as a deterrent against an American settlement.