Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Historical Records of New Zealand South

Shipping Disasters

Shipping Disasters.

Captain Hunt, of the Vansittart, informs us that he was so unfortunate as to lose a valuable boat's crew of Englishmen about six weeks since. A whaleboat, with six hands, was upset in crossing the Bay of Islands, and five out of the six were drowned. The survivor is a young man named Cheers, a native of this colony. He was several hours in the water before he was observed by the natives, by whose exertion and assistance he was rescued from a watery grave. Four of the bodies were found, and interred on shore.—Sydney Gazette, June 7, 1822.

The schooner Fortitude, in sailing down the Hokianga River for her destination, got on a mud bank during a fog. She was hauling oil, when some natives, who purposely got alongside for plunder, commenced cutting ropes at the belaying pins. The master, a courageous young man, was hastening to the cabin for his pistols, when he was seized, hurried forward, and bound with cords. Mr Stephenson, the supercargo, immediately came to his relief, and he was also seized and tied. The natives attempted to throw the first page 67officer overboard, but were prevented by one of the party, who went to his succour. Then they went into the cabin, which they plundered of whatever they could lay their hands on. The chief of the party who, with his sister, went to demand satisfaction for the aggressions committed against their friends the English, was not of the Waidenakki tribe. A war, as the natives call it, ensued, and about 21 were killed on each side, and a few wounded. Among the slain were the principal aggressors. Some days after, the tribes of the river came up, and devoured or took away all the pigs, potatoes, corn, and every other kind of provision. Our correspondent adds, however, that the island seems to be in a very unsettled state; the natives from north to south being ripe for mischief. In our last we gave so detailed an account of the landing, and of his Majesty's first Resident at New Zealand, that it is unnecessary on the present occasion to advert to the various communications on the same subject that have reached us. Our correspondent states that the natives cheerfully acquiese in the Resident's stay amongst them, and adds: "It is to be hoped that these islands, fertile in good land, noble navigable rivers, and a hardy race of inhabitants to assist the Europeans, will be speedily placed under the British Government, and colonised.—Tasmanian, July 26, 1833.

On June 15, while the Alexander M'Leay was riding at anchor at Kawhia, a large number of natives (about 80) came on board the sloop, and pretended to trade for potatoes. The women appeared to be very inquisitive, and went down into the cabin and other places, apparently to ascertain who and what were on board. A signal was given by the natives, and a rush was made by them upon the captain and men, who were several times knocked down, and made fast to different parts of the vessel. They then commenced plundering the ship. During the plundering one man was nearly strangled Avith a rope that was round his neck, and the captain and other men were beaten with iron bars, etc. On going away, one of the savages got a lighted stick, and was going to set fire to the vessel, but was prevented by his party.—Hobart Town Courier, September 12, 1834.