In the early 19th century, sealers briefly inhabited the island. The earliest known example is a sealing gang from the U.S. ship "Rambler" (Captain Joseph Bowditch) which remained on the island in the 1804–1805 season. The sealing era lasted from 1804 to 1910 during which 34 sealing vessels are known to have visited the island, one of which was lost offshore.