The Piraki Log (e Pirangi Ahau Koe), or, Diary of Captain Hempleman
Remarks on Board the Brig 'Bee' in Harbor, at Bank's Peninsula, New Zealand
Remarks on Board the Brig 'Bee' in Harbor, at Bank's Peninsula, New Zealand
Friday, 19th.—Strong breezes and fine weather, people employed unbending sails and other necessary jobs. Ship making same water.
Saturday, 20th.—Light Winds and pleasant weather. Commenced discharging the Ship, landed 100 Cask and Shooks on the beach—as the Ship lightened made less water.
Sunday, 21st.—Strong Breezes and pleasant weather.
Monday, 22nd.—Strong Breezes and pleasant weather, day light weighed anchor and hauled the Brig on the Beach, striped the Copper partly off the larboard Bow found several bad places.
Tuesday, 23rd.—Strong Breezes and a heavy swell setting in on the beach found the Carpenter could not work on the Vessel therefore hauled her off to her Anchors, and listed her,—found several other places where the Vessel must of made much water.
Wednesday, 24th February, 1836.—Strong Breezes and squally, Carpenter still at work on the larboard Bow. Crained the Ship over as necessary—making but little water.
Thursday, 25th.—Strong Breezes and fine weather—sent two Boats to recoitner &c. Carpenter at work as yesterday finding more places where the Vessel must have made much water.
Friday, 26th.—Fine pleasant weather—sent out two Boats, one in attempting to land got upset and lost a whole line &c.
page 29Saturday, [Feb.] 27th.—Pleasant weather—all hands employed in craining Ship more over to enable the Carpenter to strip the Copper off and caulk her—Seems all open.
Sunday, 28th.—Pleasant weather—people employed about trifling necessary jobs.
Monday, 29th.—Strong Gales and rain, sent out two Boats—spare hands employed as most necessary, Carpenter about the spare Boat not being able to work on the Vessel—making but little water.
Tuesday, 1st March, 1836.—Strong winds, lowered the Boats—people on board employed as most necessary. Carpenter caulking the larboard side, Ship making about One Spell in 3 hours.
Wednesday, 2nd.—Strong Breezes and Cloudy, people employed as most necessary, Carpenter caulking the Larboard side found a leak under the Larboard Main Chains also one abaft the Chains.
Thursday, 3rd.—Strong Breezes and pleasant weather—2 Boats out. Carpenter employed as yesterday finding several bad places. Spare hands employed Painting Boats, &c, &c.
Friday, 4th.—Pleasant weather throughout—2 Boats out. Carpenter employed as yesterday also spare hands.
Saturday, 5th.—Strong breezes and pleasant weather, 2 Boats out—Carpenter finished the larboard side and commenced the Starboard one. 4 P.M. strong Winds ship brought home her Anchor, let go the other one, 10.30 heavy swell touched the ground but being soft mud did no injury, hauled her off into deep water as quick as possible. Midnight less swell.
Sunday, 6th March, 1836.—Strong Breezes and cloudy 2 Boats out—spare hands employed in mooring Ship in 5 Fathoms water,—latter part Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Monday, 7th.—Fresh breezes and pleasant weather, 2 Boats out. Carpenter as yesterday, listed the ship more over to enable him to get at a very bad place on the Starboard bow,—spare hands employed as most necessary.
page 30Wednesday, 9th.—Light winds and cloudy. 2 Boats out—spare hands employed about the Boats, &c., &c. Carpenter stripping and caulking the bends, &c.
Thursday, 10th.—Light winds and cloudy. 2 Boats out—Carpenter as yesterday. Spare hands Painting Boats, &c., &c.
Friday, 11th.—Light winds and cloudy. 2 Boats out—Carpenter employed as yesterday, also the spare hands.
Saturday, 12th March, 1836.—Light winds and cloudy, 2 Boats out. Carpenter finished caulking the bends &c. altogether found a great number of very bad places—spare hands employed as most necessary.
Sunday, 13th.—Light winds and pleasant weather.—Ship making one spell in 12 hours.
Monday, 14th.—Light winds and hazey weather—2 Boats out. Carpenter employed as most necessary, spare hands trimming wood in the hold, &c., &c.
Tuesday, 15th.—Fine pleasant weather—people on board as most required lowered two Boats; Captain up the Harbor cutting spars; Ship making 3 Spells in 24 hours.
Wednesday, 16th.—Strong Breezes and hazey weather, 4 Boats out, the 4th headed by Crawley. Carpenter making Boats mast and Yard.
Thursday, 17th.—First part pleasant weather—4 Boats out. Carpenter putting in a piece of Plank on the Larboard bow—latter part heavy gale from S.S.E.
Friday, 18th.—Heavy Gales and a heavy cross sea, people on the look out, other hands employed as most necessary. Carpenter about sundry jobs, latter part more moderate.
Saturday, 19th March, 1836.—Light winds and pleasant weather, 4 Boats out. Carpenter making Boats masts, yards, &c.
Sunday, 20th.—Light winds and pleasant weather, 4 Boats out. Carpenter making Long Top Gallant Mast—Repairing Sails, &c., &c.
page 31Tuesday, 22nd.—Strong Breezes and Rain, lowered two Boats—the other two over on the beach. Carpenter making as most necessary.
Wednesday, 23rd.—Strong Gales and Much Rain, 2 Boats out on the beach, lowered two more but were obliged to return on acct. of there being so much sea. Carpenter about the Captain's boat, &c., &c.
Thursday, 24th.—Fresh Breezes and a heavy swell, lowered two Boats and landed three people to take provisions to the Two Boats away. 2.30 the Boats returned.
Friday, 25th.—Fresh breezes and a heavy swell—lowered 3 Boats. people on board employed as most necessary. Mowries† filling water, &c., &c.
Saturday, 26th March, 1836.—Cloudy weather and Calm, 3 Boats out. Carpenter employed as most necessary.
Sunday, 27th.—Light airs and pleasant weather, sent out 2 Boats also two Boats to Wangaloor.† Carpenter employed repairing the Waste Boat.
Monday, 28th.—Light winds and pleasant weather, 2 Boats out. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Tuesday, 29th.—Strong Breezes with much rain 2 Boats out, Carpenter as yesterday.
Wednesday, 30th.—Fine Pleasant weather—2 Boats out. Carpenter as yesterday.
Thursday, 31st.—Fresh Breezes and rain, 2 Boats out, Carpenter as yesterday.
Friday, 1st April, 1836.—Light winds and pleasant weather, 2 Boats out. Carpenter employed as most necessary—retd. from Wangaloor.†
Saturday, 2nd.—Fresh breezes and fine pleasant weather, 4 Boats out. Carpenter about the Waste Boat.
Sunday, 3rd April, 1836.—Strong breezes and much rain lowered 4 Boats. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
page 32Tuesday, 5th.—Strong Winds and much rain. Carpenter employed as yesterday—lowered two Boats, and had hands on the look-out, spare hands employed as most necessary.
Wednesday, 13th.—Light winds and pleasant weather. 3 Boats out in the Bay Captain up the Harbor. Carpenter employed as yesterday one hand about the Fore Top mast rigging, &c., &c.
Thursday, 14th.—Light winds and cloudy—4 Boats out. Carpenter employed as yesterday, one hand about the rigging, &c.
Friday, 15th.—Light Winds and cloudy. 3 Boats out, one
page break page 33Saturday, [Apr] 16th.—Light winds and a heavy swell, 2 Boats out, 2 Boats getting Spars, flags,† &c. for a house. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Sunday, 17th April, 1836.—Light winds and a heavy swell in the Bay 2 Boats out and 2 Boats fetching Spars Flags† &c. for a house, Carpenter employed about the Waste Boat &c. &c.
Monday, 18th.—Light winds and pleasant weather, 2 Boats out, 2 getting Flags,† Spars &c. &c. for a house saw and was in chase of a Right Whale but could not come up. Carpenter employed as yesterday, some hands building a house &c.
Tuesday, 19th.—Light winds and pleasant weather, 3 Boats out. Spare hands employed making a house &c. Carpenter as yesterday.
Wednesday, 20th.—Fresh Breezes and fine weather, 4 Boats out. Saw a spout. Carpenter employed as yesterday—spare hands and Mouries† building a house.
Thursday, 21st.—Strong Gales. 2 Boats out. Spare hands employed building house and other necessary jobs. Carpenter employed as yesterday, opened two Casks Beef.
Friday, 22nd.—Fresh breezes, 4 Boats out. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Monday, 25th.—Strong Gales, all hands employed preparing for the tryworks on shore, &c. &c. Carpenter as yesterday.—Saw a Whale off the lookout.†
Tuesday, 26th.—Strong Gales and a heavy sea, lowered two Boats but were obliged to return, people employed as yesterday, also Carpenter—hands on the look out.†
page 34Thursday, 28th.—Strong Gales and a heavy sea—people employed as required—Carpenter as yesterday.
Friday, 29th. April, 1836.—Strong winds and a heavy swell, 4 Boats out. Carpenter employed about the boat.
Saturday, 30th.—Pleasant weather—3 Boats one boat for flags† &c. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Sunday, 1st May, 1836.—Fine pleasant weather 3 Boats, one Boat for flags† &c. Carpenter as yesterday.
Monday, 2nd.—Light winds and pleasant weather, got one Whale (a Bull) saw several more 8 P.M. brought him alongside. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Tuesday, 3rd.—Light winds and fine weather—3 Boats out, one Boat's crew cutting in &c. &c. Carpenter as yesterday.
Wednesday, 4th.—Light winds and pleasant weather—4 Boats out got a Cow whale and anchored her by 2 anchors about 10 miles distant.—Carpenter employed as yesterday in the afternoon commenced trying out.—opened a Cask of Pease.
Thursday, 5th May, 1836.—Fine weather—lowered 4 Boats to tow. 7 P.M. came along with the Whale, Carpenter employed about the Boat.
Friday, 6th.—Fresh breezes and rain at intervals lowered 3 Boats one Boat's crew cutting in &c. &c. afternoon commenced trying out. Carpenter variously employed.
Saturday, 7th.—Fresh breezes and cloudy. 3 Boats out—trying out &c. afternoon finished trying out—Carpenter about the Boat.
Sunday, 8th.—Cloudy weather—4 Boats out. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Monday, 9th.—Fine pleasant weather—4 Boats out, Captain returned about noon very unwell. Carpenter employed as yesterday.—Stowing down, &c. &c.
page 35Wednesday, 11th.—Fine weather—3 Boats out. 5 hands and the Capt. off duty sick. Carpenter as yesterday.
Thursday, 12th May, 1836.—Pleasant weather, 3 Boats out—same hands still laid up sick. Carpenter employed about the Boat, other people as necessary.
Friday, 13th.—Pine pleasant weather, lowered three Boats. Capt. and 5 hands laid up sick. Carpenter as yesterday.
Saturday, 14th.—Pleasant weather and light winds, lowered 3 Boats. Captain, Carpenter, and 5 hands laid up sick,—opened a Cask of Beef, 2 mate got fast but was obliged to cut in consequence of receiving a blow from the whales flukes; lost an Iron, and about 10 fathoms of line.
Sunday, 15th.—Light winds and fine weather, lowered 3 Boats, the same hands laid up as yesterday.—Opened a Cask of Bread.
Wednesday, 18th May, 1836.—Fresh breezes and less sea, lowered 3 Boats. Four hands and the Captain sick, the latter much better, the former much the same.
Thursday, 19th.—Fine pleasant weather, lowered 3 Boats—got one whale and anchored her, with two Anchors,—the same hands laid up as yesterday, all in an improving state excepting the Carpenter.
Friday, 20th.—Light winds, lowered three Boats to tow, day light took her in tow but was obliged to anchor her again, the same hands laid up. Arrid. Caroline, Capt. Cherry.
Saturday, 21st.—Strong Breezes off the land, towed the Whale a short distance and Anchored her—the same hands laid up.
Monday, 23rd. May, 1836.—Strong Breezes, sent three boats out to tow but could do no good in consequence of their being too much wind—scarfed her. 4 hands still laid up.
Tuesday, 24th.—Light winds and cloudy. 3 Boats out towing. 11 P.M. returned having anchored the whale—the same hands laid up sick.
Wednesday, 25th.—Fresh breezes and cloudy. Four Boats out towing noon brought her alongside—afternoon cut her in and commenced trying out. Same hands sick.
Thursday, 26th.—Fresh breezes with rain at intervals, 3 Boats out 10 one returned, trying out &c. &c.—Same hands laid up sick.
Friday, 27th.—Calms and thick foggy weather, 3 Boats out, got one whale which sunk, got one anchor down to her—stowed down Four and a Quarter Tons Imp1. of Oil—the same hands sick but all improving.
Saturday, 28th May, 1836.—Light winds and cloudy, 3 Boats out—towed two Whales alongside. 3 hands laid up sick.
Sunday, 29th.—Light winds and foggy weather, sent out 2 Boats, cut in one whale and got two which were anchored in the Bay. Same hands laid up sick.
Monday, 30th.—Fine pleasant weather. 3 Boats out to tow, people on board trying out, &c. &c. 2 hands laid up sick and one lame.
Tuesday, 31st.—Pleasant weather—got in two Whales, trying out &c. &c.—the same hands laid up as yesterday.
Wednesday, 1st June, 1836.—Strong Winds and cloudy. 3 Boats out. Stowing down, &c. &c.
Thursday, 2nd.—Light winds and cloudy, 2 Boats out. Cut in one whale, trying out &c. &c.
Friday, 3rd.—Pleasant weather but foggy. 2 Boats out. Cutting in, trying out, &c. Same hands still laid up.
page 37Sunday, 5th.—Pleasant weather. Sent 3 Boats out, people on board trying out &c. &c.
Monday, 6th.—Strong Gales and a heavy sea, people employed in trying out &c. &c.—same hands laid up sick.
Tuesday, 7th.—Light winds and thick weather, three Boats out, got one Whale—people on board trying out &c. &c.—the Carpenter and two hands still laid up.
Wednesday, 8th.—Light winds and foggy, two Boats out, people on board employed trying out, &c.
Thursday, 9th.—Fine pleasant weather. 3 Boats out at dusk came alongside with the Whale. Same hands still laid up.
Friday, 10th.—Fresh breezes and pleasant weather—lowered two Boats, other hands employed cutting in, Trying out, &c. &c.
Saturday, 11th June, 1836.—Fresh winds with rain at intervals, lowered two Boats, trying out &c. &c.—same hands laid up.
Sunday, 12th.—Strong Gales and much rain—people employed as most necessary, finished trying out.
Monday, 13th.—Fine weather—3 Boats out, same hands sick as yesterday.
Tuesday, 14th.—Light winds and cloudy—lowered 2 Boats, other hands employed stowing down &c.
Wednesday, 15th.—Fine pleasant weather, lowered 3 Boats, spare hands cutting bone out &c. &c.
Thursday, 16th.—Fine pleasant weather—lowered 3 Boats, other hands employed about necessary jobs.
Friday, 17th.—Light winds and pleasant weather—3 Boats out, other hands employed as most necessary.
Saturday, 18th.—Fresh breezes and cloudy. 3 Boats out. Carpenter repairing old blubber boat.
Sunday, 19th.—Fine pleasant weather, lowered 3 Boats, got a large cow whale and anchored her with two Anchors and lines.
page 38Tuesday, 21st.—Strong Gales and constant heavy rain—all hands employed as most necessary.
Wednesday, 22nd.—Variable weather and cloudy, lowered 3 Boats, blowing so fresh could not get out to the whale.
Thursday, 23rd.—Strong breezes and much rain, lowered 3 Boats, killed a cow whale and anchored her with two anchors, she stove the 4 Boat which was anchored there being too much wind to tow her in.
Friday, 24th.—Strong winds and much rain—lowered 2 Boats, sent out another to bring in the stove one but returned blowing too fresh—went out to the whale and took her in tow, cleaning bone &c. &c.
Saturday, 25th June, 1836.—Cloudy with rain at intervals, lowered two Boats to tow, at night anchored the whale. Carpenter about the new Boat.
Sunday, 26th.—Fresh breezes and cloudy. 5 P.M. came along side with the whale. Carpenter as yesterday.
Monday, 27th.—Pleasant weather, two Boats out cut the whale in, and at 5 P.M. commenced trying out. Carpenter as yesterday.
Tuesday, 28th.—Fresh breezes and cloudy, lowered two Boats, one Boat fetching stow wood, trying out &c. Carpenter as yesterday.
Wednesday, 29th.—Cloudy and rain at times 8 A.M. finished trying out—lowered two Boats.—Carpenter as yesterday.
Thursday, 30th.—Fresh breezes and much rain at times; lowered two Boats, stowed down 7½ Tons of Oil. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Friday, 1st July, 1836.—Strong Breezes and squally—two Boats out, spare hands employed as most necessary. Carpenter employed about the new Boat.
Saturday, 2nd.—Squally rainy weather, two Boats out but soon returned in consequence of bad weather. Carpenter finished the new Boat.
page 39Monday, 4th.—Heavy Gales and much snow—people employed as most useful. Carpenter variously.
Tuesday, 5th.—Heavy Gales with much snow and rain—people employed as most necessary. Carpenter making Top mast &c.—brought of the new Boat.
Wednesday, 6th.—More moderate weather, three Boats out—spare hands variously employed. Carpenter as yesterday.
Thursday, 7th July, 1836.—Fresh breezes and a heavy swell in the Bay, three Boats out. Carpenter making Fore Top Mast.
Friday, 8th July.—Strong Breezes and rain at times, — —two Boats out—Carpenter as yesterday.
Saturday, 9th.—Strong Breezes and a heavy swell, two Boats out but soon returned, sent three Boats to get wood. Carpenter as yesterday.
Sunday, 10th.—Pleasant weather, three Boats out—got a small whale and anchored it, Carpenter as yesterday.
Monday, 11th.—First part pleasant weather latter part squally with rain—lowered three Boats, Carpenter repairing the Waste Boat.
Tuesday, 12th.—Strong Gales and much rain—people employed as most necessary, Carpenter variously.
Wednesday, 13th July, 1836.—Strong Gales with much rain, people employed as most required—Carpenter variously.
Thursday, 14th.—Light winds and cloudy—lowered two Boats, other hands getting the Brig ready for sea. 12 came along side with the whale 5 P.M. done cutting in and commenced trying out.
Friday, 15th.—Light winds and calms. 10 A.M. finished trying out all hands getting Brig ready for sea. P.M. unmoored and droped into the stream. Arrived the 'Australian'.
Saturday, 16th.—Day Light light variable winds 8 A.M. got the Anchor and stood out 1 P.M. saw a whale, lowered three Boats. Mate got fast, but his Iron drew—latter part light winds and calms. (Arrived the Australian)
page 40Monday, 18th July, 1836.—Light winds and cloudy, day light commenced cutting in, P.M. strong breezes 8 P.M. hove the Brig too under double reefed Topsails. North Cape bearing N.N.E.
Tuesday, 19th.—Fresh Gales, noon squared away for the Harbor and commenced trying out 4 light winds and calms—9.30 came to an anchor latter part trying out &c.
Wednesday, 20th.—Strong Gales with rain, trying out &c. latter part same weather, took the stove Boat on shore &c. two Boats' crews cutting stow wood.
Thursday, 21st.—Strong Breezes with rain at intervals 8 A.M. finished trying out, other hands employed as most required. Carpenter repairing the stove Boat &c.
Friday, 22nd.—Fresh breezes and pleasant weather day light commenced stowing down, some hands employed taking sundry articles on Shore. Carpenter repairing the stove Boat. Stowed down 6¼ Tons Oil.
Saturday, 23rd July, 1836.—Fine pleasant weather. Sent the Try Pots on Shore &c. &c. 7 P.M. the shore party left the Brig. Carpenter employed as yesterday.
Sunday, 24th.—Commences with strong Breezes and cloudy 3.30 A.M. weighed Anchor and stood out to sea, noon light winds and fine pleasant weather, here ends the harbor Log to commence the sea one.
Thursday, 28th.—Light winds with heavy squalls S.S.W. and small rain. Course W. Lat. 37. 54 S.
Tuesday, 9th.—Light winds and Variable. Sydney light bearing W.S.W. 8.30 A.M. received the Pilot on board and at 2 P.M. came to an anchor in Darling Harbor [Sydney],
Here ends this Log.
[Log begins again.—Leaving Darling Harbour.]
Friday, 19th August, 1836.—Strong breezes and cloudy. Course E.S.E. Strong Gales. N.E. by N. 2 reefs Fore Top Sail 1 the main stowed the Main Sail and Jib.
Fresh Gales and a heavy sea. Lat. 38. 29 S.
Wednesday, 24th.—Fresh breezes with much thunder and lightning. Wind N.N.E. Course E. Lat. 38. 44 S.
Thursday, 25th.—Fresh Breezes and pleasant weather. 4 A.M. Made the land Cape Farewell bearing S.E. by S. distant 40 miles.
Friday, 26th August, 1836.—Light airs and calms, found a strong Current setting the Brig towards the shore Cape Egmont bearing W.N.W. 12.30 Came to an Anchor in Entry Island [Kapiti]. *
Saturday, 27th.—Pleasant weather all these 24 hours employed in trading for Potatoes, Pigs, &c.
Sunday, 28th.—Fresh breezes from N.W. 12 got under weigh at 2.30. P.M. came to an anchor in Cloudy Bay†—light winds and calms.
Monday, 29th.—Calms with small rain—people employed as most necessary.
Tuesday, 30th.—Light wind and Calms with small rain. 10.30 got under weigh, 12 came to an Anchor again.—People employed as most necessary.
Wednesday, 31st.—Light winds and thick hazy weather, people employed in blacking the bends &c. 2.30 P.M. got under weigh to proceed on our voyage to Port Cooper —10 P.M. Cape Campbell bearing S.S.E. distant about 8 Miles.
Thursday, 1st September, 1836.—Light winds and pleasant weather throughout these 24 hours.
Friday, 2nd.—Light winds. 3. Came to an Anchor in Port Cooper.
[Log for 1836 ends]
† Refer to Glossary.
* Kapiti or Entry Islands. See Map.