page 162

Mutiny On The John Bunyan.

When the John Bunyan sailed up Wellington harbour on February 15, 1860, the police signal was flying, and later most of the crew were taken in charge, the magistrate sentencing them to a term of imprisonment for broaching cargo and refusing to work the ship. A ship of 466 tons, she was in command of Captain Allan. She sailed from the Downs with only a few passengers on the 12th November, 1860, and reached port after having made the passage under unfavourable circumstances in 94 days. Fourteen days before the vessel reached Wellington some members of the crew broached cargo and became very drunk. They proceeded aft and threatened to take the ship. When remonstrated with by the Captain, they refused to go forward, and matters for a time looked serious. One of the crew struck the Captain, when he seized his revolver, which exploded, and the seaman was mortally wounded. Captain Allan kept the others at bay, and threatened to shoot any one coming on to the poop. The mutineers were later put in irons. Sail was then shortened, and the vessel brought into port by the Captain and officers.

The John Bunyan again visited Wellington in 1862. She sailed from London on the 26th November, 1861, and arrived on the 3rd March, 1862, making the run in 97 days. During the first part of the voyage, before crossing the line, she met with very boisterous weather, losing several spars.

The John Bunyan sailed from London five years later, and made another voyage to Wellington under the same command. On this occasion she departed on the 19th May, and arrived on the 9th September, 1867—113 days port to port.

In 1868, under Captain Allan, she sailed from London for Nelson on the 28th August, and arrived on the 1st December, with passengers and cargo. Two years later, in 1870, she again visited Nelson, sailing from London on the 6th October, 1869, and arriving on the 19th. January, 1870.