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           James WOODS
                                                                           Commander
                     Of
Her Majesty’s Ship
           Buffalo.
     Pioneer Trader
              of
     South Seas  
 & New Zealand
    1833 - 1840’s

New Zealand historian & author A. W. Reed makes reference in his book, about the Coromandel of New Zealand, to the fact that the Commander of HMS Buffalo, James Wood, was reputed to have married a “beautiful Maori woman.” This was possibly Materena Waitangi, a daughter of a respected Chief. Circa 1840, Materena had a daughter whom she named Ngahiraka, meaning “many silks.” This name has special significance in the light of gifts which we may assume were brought from England - perhaps silk- either for the mother or baby. (Ngahiraka’s English name, as recorded on her Will, was Ema.) Records have not been found to positively identify James Wood as her father, except for a few references in various B.D.M. certificates to Ngahiraka’s father having been a “Trader,” and on one certificate the name “Wood” is mentioned and the time frame is consistent. It been hoped that there may have been a marriage recorded in the Log, but there wasn’t.

Ngahiraka married Joseph Kennedy, third son of the Wheelwright of HMS Buffalo, John Kennedy, of this same vessel. John Kennedy settled in Kennedy’s Bay at first collecting Kauri spar for the Admiralty. He later married a local Maori woman and started the first store at Kennedy’s Bay.

For our "Grandchildren" and the many descendants of

Joseph & Ngahiraka Kennedy.

As transcribed by Bob & Jill Kemp.

41 Plateau Heights, Mt. Maunganui, New Zealand.

bjkemp@value.net.nz

Other Booklets relating to families descended from HMS Buffalo

are available from Bob & Jill Kemp as above:

* South To The Left Of Venus: Book 1.

Scottish & Maori Ancestry of Joseph & Ngahiraka Kennedy.

* Irish Ancestors Begorrah: Book 2.

Smith, Berryman & Peapell

* Rosebud & Hunter Gatherer. Book 3.

Smith, & Peapell

* Cotton Mills & English Genes. Book 4.

Oram & Metcalfe.

H.M.S. Buffalo.

The Buffalo (589 tons) was built of teak, in Calcutta India in 1813. She was named Hindostan, but when purchased later by the British Admiralty and designated a “Timber ship on Particular Service,” was renamed Buffalo. She carried six 18-pounder Carronades and two 6-pounder guns, and her gun deck was 120 feet long. (One, presented by Captain Albert Duder, is now displayed in the reserve in main street at Whitianga.) She had a beam of 33 feet 10 inches; length 129 feet; depth of hold 15 feet 8 inches. Descending from the upper deck, first came the main deck where the immigrants were quartered; the next below was the Orlop deck where the crew and ship’s stores were found; below this again was the hold. There were no portholes, and the only light that penetrated the main deck would be through the hatches when they were open, and from circular glass windows let in one side of the poop. These windows were termed “Preston’s Patent Illuminators.”

The name HMS Buffalo is synonymous with the founding of a settlement south Australia, although William Light arrived there earlier and a small settlement had begun, Hind marsh did bring with him, on the Buffalo, 176 additional settlers, which in those days must have increased the population considerably. Hindmarsh was Governor of South Australia from his arrival in December 1836, until recalled by the Colonial Office in 1838.

HMS Buffalo was wrecked in 1840 at Mercury Bay, New Zealand under Commander James Wood, formerly her sailing master, but promoted to Master Commander. The ship had a compliment of 93 men.

Uniforms.gif (1107161 bytes)

 Captain, Commander, Midshipman and Admiral.

“Acquainted,” by J. Harris 1848-9

 

 

Some books incorrectly give the title of “Captain,” to Commander James Wood. 

Equivalent Ranks:

Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant - Commander
Lieutenant
Sub- Lieutenant
Midshipman.

 

This Sea Shanty by an anonymous sailor on HMS Buffalo gives a glimpse into their life.

“SHANTIES BY THE WAY.”

Edited by Bailey and Roth. Published by Whitcombe and Tombs. 1967.

Copied from H.M.S. Buffalo compiled by Jenny Bithell.

Probably depicts the time when Buffalo (Commander James Wood) arrived at Bay of Islands New Zealand,

September 1937, to collect spars, working around the East Coast of New Zealand until departing for England, June 16th 1838.
 
Come all you jolly seamen bold, and listen to my song,
I’d have you pay attention, and I’ll not detain you long,
Concerning of a voyage to New Zealand we did go,
For to cut some lofty spars, to load the Buffalo.
 
Chorus: Cheer up my lively lads, to New Zealand we will go
For to cut some lofty spars to load the Buffalo.
 
The Buffalo’s a happy ship, from Portsmouth she set sail,
With South Australian emigrants, we had a pleasant gale;
For six long months in Holdfast Bay, our hands did work on shore.
Building houses for those emigrants, which grieved our hearts full sore.
 
In Sydney we did sport and play with lassies there so fine,
To the Angle and the Crown we went, where we drank grog and wine;
We kept it up both day and night, until we went away,
We spent our money freely, and we always paid our way.
 
When at New Zealand we arrived, our hands were sent on shore,
Our tents we pitch’d well, and provided with good stores;
At six o’clock we all rouse out, then such a precious row,
Come quick and get your grog, my boys, unto the woods you go.
 
With saws and axes in our hands, then through the bush we’d steer,
And when we saw a lofty tree, unto it we draw near,
With saws and axes we begin to lay the tree quite low,
With cheerful heart strikes every man, to load the Buffalo.
 
Now eight o’clock is drawing nigh, ‘All off! All off!’ ’s the sound,
All through the trees it echoes loud, and makes the woods resound.
Then every man lays down his axe, and thro’ the bush we’d come,
To get their jolly breakfast, every man does nimbly run.
 
Our breakfast being over, then to work we do repair;
Our work it is all pointed out, for every man his share
There’s roughters and refiners, and there’s jolly sawyers too,
To lop and trim those lofty spars, to load the Buffalo.
When twelve o’clock is drawing nigh, ‘All Off!’ again ’s the cry,
Then every man lays down his axe, and through the woods does hie;
Our cook has got a dinner that will make our faces shine,
With pork and murphies smoking hot on which we tars do dine.
 
‘Grog ho!’ is the next cheerful cry, we drink it up with glee;
We light our pipes when time is up and, smoking, go away
Unto the woods to finish well the spars that we’ve begun,
And when the afternoon’s expired, then home comes every man.
 
And when we have our supper got, our barter we prepare,
With shirts and blankets in our hands, to the native’s huts we steer;
For toki, pigs and murphies we exchange our traps, you know,
For to suit our rakish blades of the saucy Buffalo.
 
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, at four o’clock we strike,
Each man to wash and mend his clothes whilst he has got daylight;
We’ve extra grog on Saturdays, to cheer up every man;
There’s happy days on board the Buff ashore in New Zealand.
 
Our ship she is well loaded, and for England we are bound;
Farewell to Tonga—Mowries and Wyenas also,
They will oft-times wish to see again the happy Buffalo.
 
And now, my jovial shipmates, I will finish my new song,
I hope it is not tedious, nor any way too long;
Long life to our Captain, and Officers all round,
May we all see happy days, now we are homeward bound.

 

BAY OF ISLANDS SHIPPING ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES" 1803 - 1840

By Rhys Richards & Jocelyn Chisholm. Used with permission.

Extracts relating to Commander James Wood.

1832

Aug. 31st the 90t Schooner “FORTITUDE” under the command of Captain J.R. Clendon, arrived in the Bay of Islands from England for trading and departed for Sydney.

* Mr. Clendon purchased several boats over the years.

1833

 Jan 28 “FORTITUDE” a 90t Schooner

Capt J.R. Clendon in from Sydney with merchandise.. Departed NZ Feb 12th under the command of Capt. Wood bound for Sydney with merchandise.

April 2 “FORTITUDE” under command of Capt. Woods of NZ. in from Sydney with merchandise. Departed for Sydney & (Van Deimans Land (Tasmania) trading..

Aug 23 “FORTITUDE” Schooner 123t. Captain Woods of N.Z.; arrived in from Sydney with merchandise and departed for Trading (around N.Z.)

Nov 18th . “HMS BUFFALO” (Her Majesties Store ship) Under command of Captain Saddler arrived at Bay of Islands with Stores from Sydney.

Nov. 18; note the same day as above: the “FORTITUDE” 140t under the command of Captain Wood also arrived from Sydney with merchandise. From there on he departed on Dec 2 - 10 with Missionaries bound for Thames. Perhaps from this encounter that Captain Wood had the opportunity to later take over as the Captain of HMS BUFFALO.

Note from “The Independent” newspaper, Launceston (Tasmania) August 9th, 1834:

“There are about 40 Europeans and their families residing at the Bay (of Islands) independent of the Mission, and of the British resident and his family. Some of these have pretty extensive establishments in various parts of the BAY, and are doing tolerably well; their business is chiefly with the Whalers who come in here to refresh in the season, which embraces the months of February, March, April and May, and during these months as many as 27 or 30 vessels lying in the Bay at one time.

Of the others, the most part are following the occupation of grog selling; the remainder are either sawyers or mechanics; but the grog seller has decidedly the most lucrative business, and might speedily amass a little independence, could he only prevail on himself to be content with legitimate profits of his business. There is not much hard cash in the Bay; the grog sellers are perhaps the largest holders, and they are all so very loath to part with it when they do get any, that I may say there is none at all in “circulation.” The Merchant or Trader carries on his business almost entirely by means of negotiable bills, drawn upon the owners of the vessels with which he trades.

The trade with the natives is becoming every day less lucrative to the Europeans, partly in consequence of the increased demand for their pigs and potatoes, in consequence of their being initiated by the Europeans themselves into the intrinsic value of their own produce, and relative value of articles of European manufacture offered to them in exchange. They have also become thoroughly acquainted with the value of money, and many of them are possessed of considerable sums in dollars. Instead of depending upon the Traders as formerly for their blankets, pipes, tobacco, arms and ammunition, they now take their pigs and potatoes at once to the shipping, and trade for themselves - and exceedingly keen bargainers they are; the best trade which can be sent hither from either Colony will consist of rum, tobacco, pipes, blankets, muskets, powder, shot, cartouche boxes, hoes, tomahawks, and small assortment of slops; those articles are always sure to meet with ready and profitable market in the season. (Abridged.)

 

Journal & Proceedings of

H.M.S. Buffalo

1st April 1840 - 1st March 1841

Signed off by Commander James Wood.

From G.B. Admiralty & Secretariat. ADM 51

Captain’s Logs. 1737 - 1852

Reel 5775

Contents of Volume 2444

Courtesy Alexander Turnbull Library.

With the addition of explanatory notes and illustrations from

“The Oxford Companion To Ships & The Sea,” edited by Peter Kemp.

“New Zealand Ship Wrecks,” by ?

Special thanks for their help to:

Ngaire from Papa Arahoa Camp Store. Coromandel, NZ

Peggy Harrison—Kennedy’s Bay, NZ

George Hovell—Kennedy’s Bay, NZ

Mary Hovell—Kennedy’s Bay, NZ

Janet Riddell—Mercury Bay Museum, NZ
 
Log of Her Majesty’s Ship “Buffalo.”
Commander, James Wood.
 
Journal of Proceeding
1st April 1840.
Moored in Port Jackson [Sydney] Australia en route to New Zealand.
Wednesday 1st April
Received 130 lb beef & 46 lbs vegetables
8 am Light & cloudy. Sent boat for water enouf receiving. Stores from Commissariat for NZ.
Noon. Strong breezes & fine.
Sun set. Up boats.
12 pm Moderate & cloudy with lightening.
Thursday 2nd April. Moderate & cloudy.
4 am calm & cloudy.
8 am Ditto weather. People employed variously.
Noon. Light breezes and fine. Sent boat for water.
Sunset. Up boats.
12 pm Calm & fine.
Friday 3rd April. Calm & fine.
4 am Ditto weather. Received 1 Major, 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns, 4 Sergeants,
2 Drummers and 79 rank & file of 80 required for N.Z.
8 am Light breezes & fine. Unmoored ship.
Noon Light breezes and fine.
Bearing & Distance. Single anchor, Port Jackson.
pm For Pinnace. Received soldiers baggage. Embarked 2 horses for the troop, 11 women and 13 children. Received for passage Deputy Assistant Commissary General and store keeper.
Sunset. Up Boats.
12 pm Calm with heavy rain.
Saturday 4th April. Calm with heavy rain at times.
4 am Cloudy weather.
6 am Breeze from Westward. Weighed and made sail under Topsails.
7:40 am Received a Pilot. Shorted sail and came to with S.B. in 11 fathoms. Loosed sails to dry.
8 am calm and fine.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
2 pm Furled sails.
4 pm Ditto weather.
5:30 pm Came on board for Passage to New Zealand, Mrs Hobson, 4 children, 3 female servants and Governess. [Governor Hobson’s wife.]
Sunset. Up Boats
Midnight. Calm & fine.
Sunday 5th April. Calm & Fine
4 am Ditto weather.
6 am. Pilot came on board. Weighed and made sail out of the harbour.
Up Royal Yards.
7 am set Studding sails.
7:30 am Passed the light house.
8 am Light breezes and fine. Discharged the Pilot.
Noon light airs and fine.
Bearings and Distance. Lighthouse W ¾ S. North Head W ¾ N.
pm Light winds and fine. In all Studding sails. Braced up .
4 pm Moderate cloudy. Tacked. Port Jackson Lighthouse NW
5:30 pm In 1st Reefs.
6 pm Cloudy & fine. SW ¾ W 4 leagues.
8 pm Light breezes and fine. Lighthouse W /N 6 or 7 leagues.
12 pm Moderate & cloudy.
Monday 6th April. Moderate and cloudy.
4 am Light airs and fine.
Daylight out 1st Reefs. Scrubbed hammocks, washed cloths.
8 am Light breezes and fine.
Carried away tack of Jib.
Noon. Moderate and fine.
Bearings and distance. North Cape New Zealand. E,1,006 miles.
pm Moderate & fine.
4 pm Ditto weather.
6 pm Light breezes & fine
8 pm Ditto weather
12 pm Moderate & fine. In Royals and Flying Jib.
Tuesday 7th April. Moderate and fine.
4 am Cloudy.
Above out 2 reefs, Out 2nd reefs, set Royals Flying Jib & Larboard Top Gallant Studding sails.
Carpenters repairing boats.
Noon. Moderate and fine.
pm Essentially as above.
4 pm Ditto weather.
5:30 pm In 1st reefs of Topsails.
6 pm Ditto weather.
8 pm Moderate and fine.
12 pm Ditto weather with a heavy swell from southwards.
Wednesday 8th April. Moderate and fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
Day light Out Reefs, set Larboard Fore Top mast and Top Gallant and Studding sails.
Carpenters repairing boats.
Noon. Moderate & fine.
Bearings and distance. Three kings N88E 729 miles.
pm Ditto weather.
4 pm Ditto weather.
5:20 pm Trimmed
6 pm Light breezes and dark cloudy weather with lightening.
6:15 pm Squally. Shortened sails to Top sails.
7:30 pm. Set Mainsail.
8 pm. Moderate with heavy rain, thunder and lightening. Up Mainsail.
12 pm Light airs and fine.
Thursday 9th April. Light variable airs, cloudy with rain.
3 am Trimmed Mainsail
4 am Light breezes. Cloudy with lightening. Trimmed occasionally. Variable winds.
6 am Heavy rain.
8 am Variable winds with heavy rains.
12 am Light airs cloudy with rain. Bearings and distance. 3 Kings N88E 640 miles.
pm variable winds with heavy rains.
Trimmed as requisite. Set Larboard Top Gallant and Studding sails.
4 pm Light breezes with passing clouds.
6 pm Ditto.
6:30 a heavy rain squall. In Royals, Flying Jib and Studding sails.
7:40 pm Made sail as before.
8 pm Light breezes and fine
12 pm Moderate and fine with frequent squalls.
Friday 10th April. Moderate with occasional squalls.
4 am. Ditto weather.
6 am Set Fore Top Gallant and Studding sail.
8 am Squally with heavy rain at times. Washed clothes.
9 am Set Royals. Out 1st reefs of Top sails. Made and shortened sails to squalls.
Noon. Squally with rain at times.
Bearings and Distance. Three Kings S 87E 489 Miles.
pm Squally . In 1st Reefs. Set Royal and Flying Jib , Foretop and Studding sail.
4 pm Squally with rain. In Studding sails.
6 pm Light breezes and variable.
8 pm Ditto weather. In Royals, Flying Jib. Up Mainsail.
12 pm Light airs and cloudy.
Saturday 11th April. Calm and cloudy with lightening.
Up Foresail shortened sail to heavy squall.
4 am Light airs and cloudy. Made sail. Set Forward Studding sail.
8 am Moderate and fine. Set Main Top Studding sail.
12 am Ditto weather.
Bearings and Distance. Three Kings S 81 E 390 miles.
4 pm Ditto weather. Squared the yards.
6 pm Moderate and cloudy.
6:10 pm In Royal and Studding sails Flying Jib and 1st Reefs of Topsails.
6:30 pm Made sail.
8 pm Moderate and fine.
9 pm In Top Gallant Studding sails.
12 pm Ditto weather.
Sunday 12th April. Moderate with passing showers.
5 am Squalling. In Studding sails, Royals, Larboard Top Gallant sails and Mizzen Top sails.
8 am More moderate. Set Mizzen Top sails. Top Gallant sails out 1st Reef
10 am Mustered by Divisions and read Articles of War.
Noon. Moderate and fine.
Bearings and distance. Three Kings S 79 E 246 miles.
1:30 Shortened sail to squall.
2 pm Made sail.
4 pm Squally with rain at times.
5:30 pm Trimmed in Studding sails Royals and 1st Reef of Top sails.
6 pm Ditto weather.
8 pm Fresh breezes and squally rain.
12 pm strong breezes and cloudy.
Monday 13th April. Ditto weather.
4 am Fresh breezes and cloudy.
7 am Out 1st Reefs. Trimmed sails.
8 am Moderate with rain at times.
8:30 am set Royals and Flying Jib. Trimmed. Made all sail.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
Bearings and distance. Three Kings S 81 E 74 miles.
pm Light breezes and fine.
1 pm squared Yards. Made all possible sail.
3 pm In Studding sails.
4 pm Light breezes and cloudy.
6 pm Ditto weather.
8 pm In Studding sails and 1st reefs.
Moderate and cloudy in Royals and Flying Jib.
12 pm Light winds and cloudy weather.
Tuesday 14th April. Variable winds.
2 am In Top Gallant sails to a squall.
4 am Moderate and cloudy with lightening to East. Set Top Gallant sails.
Daylight. Saw Three Kings NE by N 9 or 10 leagues.
8 am Fresh breezes and cloudy.
8:30 am Set Royals and Flying Jib.
Noon. Light variable airs inclining to calm.
Bearings and Distance. Three Kings NE 6E 5 leagues.
pm Calm with heavy swell from Southern.
4 pm Light airs from east. Three King NE6E
6 pm Light breezes and cloudy. Kings NE/E 5 or 6 leagues.
8 pm Ditto weather.
12 pm Moderate and cloudy. Northland of Island East.
Wednesday 15th April. Light winds and cloudy with heavy rain.
In Royals and Flying jib.
4 am Light winds and cloudy. Centre of Large King S/E 2 Leagues.
Out Reefs, set Royals and Top Gallant Studding sails.
8 am Moderate and cloudy. Largest King WSW. Made all sail.
12 am Moderate and cloudy.
Bearings and distance. North Cape SE ¾ E.
pm Moderate & fine. Trimmed as requisite. Ranged cables.
4 pm Ditto weather. North Cape WNW Mt Carmel SE ½ E
8 pm Light breezes and fine.
12 pm Ditto weather with a swell from east.
Thursday 16th April. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Ditto weather. Trimmed as necessary, running along the land.
7 am In Lower Studding sail.
8 am Moderate and cloudy. Nine Pin Rock S1/2E 5 miles.
9 am Passed Nine Pin Rock.
11 am Shortened sail and came to with South bower in 6 fathoms veered to 50 fathoms.
Saluted Governor with 13 Guns.
Noon Moderate and cloudy.
Bearings and Distance. Single Anchor in Bay of Island. (Russell.)
pm Moderate and cloudy weather.
2:30 pm Down Royal Yards.
4 pm Cloudy with passing showers.
Sunset. Ditto weather.
Midnight Moderate and fine.
Friday 17th. April. Moderate and fine.
4 am Ditto weather. Washed clothes.
8 am Ditto weather. Out Pinnace.
Noon. Moderate and fine.
Sunset. Cloudy.
Midnight. Light breezes with heavy dew.
Saturday 18th April. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Ditto weather. Employed white washing etc.
Landed a party of soldiers to clear the ground for pitching tents.
Carpenters preparing axes for cutting timber.
Noon Moderate and fine. Employed as above.
Sunset Up boats.
Midnight Calm and cloudy.
Sunday. 19th April. Calm and cloudy with rain at times.
4 am Cloudy
8 am Ditto weather.
10 am Mustered by Divisions.
10:30 weighed and made sail. Running up for Pihia River.
Crossed Royal Yards. Set the sails.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
1:15 pm Shortened sail.
Came to with South bower in 7 fathoms in Piahia River.
Furled sails. Lowered Royal Yards. Moored ship.
Sunset. Heavy rain.
Midnight. Ditto Weather.
Monday 20th April. Heavy rain
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Cloudy. Employed landing soldiers baggage, horses etc. Carpenters making squares.
Noon. Moderate and cloudy. Employed as above and landing Governor’s horses.
3 pm Received a Dispatch of Garrison for assistance of Troops at Korooraika.
Sent all boats and cleared for action.
6:15 pm Boats and troops returned.
Midnight. Calm and cloudy.
Tuesday 21st April. Calm and cloudy.
4 am Fine weather.
8 am Ditto weather. Employed landing provisions and Commissariat stores, Soldiers baggage and Carpenters working squares for Timber.
Noon. Moderate with passing showers.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Calm and fine.
Wednesday 22nd April. Calm and fine.
8 am Ditto weather. Loosed sails Discharged the troops.
Employed landing Commissariat and Colonial stores.
11 am Rainy weather.
Noon. Moderate and cloudy.
1:30 pm Furled sails. Carpenters preparing adzes and other tools.
Midnight. Calm and fine.
Thursday 23rd April. Calm & Fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Ditto weather. Employed landing Governor’s stores. Carpenters preparing tools.
Noon. Moderate, fine weather. Arrival H.M.S. Herald.
Sent Mr. Paul on board “Mary Jn Mc Donald,” Master with Police. Magistrate Warrant for a seaman who had volunteered for service.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Calm and cloudy.
Friday 24th April. Calm and cloudy.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Light breezes & cloudy. Employed scrubbing ship’s side, packing Oakum etc.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
A party on shore filling water casks and preparing for watering ship.
Sunset. Up boats.
12 pm Calm and fine.
Saturday 25th April. Calm and fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Light breezes and fine.
Employed watering, white washing between decks and blacking bands.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
Received 18 tons of water.
Midnight. Light breezes and fine.
Sunday 26th April. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Ditto weather.
10 am Mustered by Divisions and read Articles of war.
Noon. Moderate breezes with passing clouds.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Calm and cloudy.
 
** On a Sunday morning when the troops were mustered for Divine Service, the Articles of War were often read:
 
Articles of War: A British disciplinary code for the Royal Navy based on the ancient sea laws of Rhodes and Oleron in which maritime crimes and punishments were specified were first issued in 1653. The Articles Of War provided a code of punishment which would apply throughout the Navy and not depend on the whims of individual captains “wherein under the good providence of God, the Wealth, Safety and Strength of this Kingdom is so much concerned.” Some penalties (e.g. the maximum number of lashes with the cat-o’- nine-tails to be 48) were not revoked until 1866. Not with standing the word “War” in the title, they applied in peace as well as during hostilities and every merchant seaman would sign an agreement to them when joining a ship.
Monday 27th April. Calm and cloudy.
4 am Light breezes and fine.
8 am Ditto weather. Sent boat for water. Discharged W. Thomas Frazer Surgeon and
Mr. T.H. Niblett 2nd Master to HMS ship “Herald.” For exchange with Dr Lane and Mr Bowman.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
Sent Mr. Cheeseman to the “Mary,” Revenue Cutter, for men’s wages. Master refused to pay.
Midnight. Light breezes and cloudy.
Tuesday 28th April. Light breezes and cloudy.
4 am Showery weather and cloudy.
Employed shifting and re-stowing cables, spare sails etc. Sent for water.
Noon. Light breezes with passing showers. Employed as above.
Sailed HMS Herald.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Light breezes and fine.
Wednesday 29th April. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Foggy weather. Scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes.
8 am Light breezes and fine. Employed variously.
Noon. Moderate breezes with passing clouds.
pm Fresh breezes and cloudy. A Party cutting woods.
Sunset. Ditto weather.
Midnight. Strong breezes and squally.
Thursday 30th April. Strong breezes and squally with showers.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Squally weather. Issued slops, soap and tobacco.
Noon. Moderate and fine. A Party cutting wood.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Calm and cloudy with passing showers.
Friday 1st May. Calm and showery.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Calm and fine. Loosed sails sent a boat for water. Furled. Sailed.
Noon. Moderate breezes with showers.
6:30 pm Unmoored ship.
8:30 pm Weighed and made sail in Top Gallant sails. Trimmed running down to Kororakia. [Russell]
10:15 pm Shortened sail. Anchored with B Bower in 4 fathoms off Korarakia.
Midnight. Moderate and cloudy.
Saturday 2nd May. Moderate and cloudy.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Fresh breezes with occasional showers. Employed white washing.
Noon. Fresh breezes and squally.
2 pm In Pinnace.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Light breezes and fine.
Sunday 3rd May. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Fresh breezes and cloudy.
9:30 am Mustered by Divisions.
Sent Mr. Cheeseman on board the “Mary,” for Seaman’s wages. Master still refused to pay them.
Noon. Strong breezes.
4 pm Fresh breezes and squally.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Light breezes and fine.
Monday 4th May. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Ditto weather. Loosed sails. Employed fitting spare Foretop sail.
Noon. Moderate and fine. Employed fitting boats rain awnings.
4 pm Furled sails.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Light breezes and fine.
Tuesday 5th May. 8 am. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
6 am Sailed two French Surveying ships.
8 am Ditto weather. Supplied Colonial Governor with 40 Cutlasses, Belts and scabbards.
10:30 am Weighed & made sail. Set Starboard Studding sails running out of Bay.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
Bearings and Distance. Nine Pin Rock N1/2W Cape Brett ENE
pm Light breezes and fine. Trimmed as requisite. In Studding sails.
Braced up on starboard tack. Set Main sail.
4 pm Winds variable an fine. Nine Pin Rock NE ½ E. Cape Brett E/S.
6 pm Moderate and fine. Cape Brett SE/E. 8 or 9 miles.
8 pm Moderate and fine. Cape Brett W/W 8 or 9 miles. In Royals and Flying Jib.
12 pm Light variable winds and cloudy.
Wednesday 6th May. Light airs and cloudy. Set Royals and Flying Jib.
8 am Light breezes and fine. Employed fitting spare Foresail.
12 am Moderate and fine with a head swell.
Bearings and Distance. North of Great Barrier Island S 78 W 57 miles.
pm Ditto weather.
4 pm Moderate and cloudy with a head swell.
6 pm Light breezes and fine.
8 pm Ditto weather.
12 pm Light airs and cloudy.
Thursday 7th May. Light airs and cloudy. In Royals and Flying Jib.
4 am Light variable winds and cloudy.
9:30 Out 1st Reefs. Set Gallant and Top mast Studding sails.
11:45 am In studding sails braced up.
12 am Moderate and cloudy.
Bearings and Distance. Barrier Island S 66 W 72 miles.
pm Moderate and fine.
4 pm Light winds and fine. Made sail. Shortened sail occasionally.
6 pm Ditto weather.
8 pm Moderate and fine.
10 pm Up Mainsail. Tacked.
11:30 pm Cloudy, rainy weather.
12 pm Moderate and cloudy with rain.
Friday 8th May.
1:45 am In Top Gallant sails. Driver and Jib. Hove to.
4 am Light airs and cloudy with rain.
5:15 am Squally lowered the top sails.
6:45 am Wore made all sail on Larboard tack.
8 am Light variable winds with rain.
9 am The land WSW
10 am Out Reefs
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
Curvier Island SW/W ¼ W
Bearings and Distance. Mercury Island S 42W 38 miles.
pm Set Starboard Top Gallant studding sails. Royal and Flying Jib.
2 pm In Ditto. Squally weather.
2:30 pm Set Royals, Flying Jib.
4 pm Moderate and cloudy. Cuvier Island W/S1/2S
6 pm Light breezes and fine.
Wore in 1st reefs of Top sails.
9:30 pm. In Royals
10 pm Tacked
12 pm Moderate and fine. Harrison Island W/S
Saturday 9th May. Up Mainsail.
2:40 am Bore up.
4 am Light winds and fine. Harrison Island W1/2N 4 leagues.
Daylight. Made all plain sail on a wind.
8 am Light breezes and fine. Mercury Island SW 4 or 5 miles.
Tacked away, working up for Mercury Bay
Noon. Light breezes and cloudy. Alderman Islands SE/S
pm Light airs with heavy showers. Made and shortened sail as necessary.
Cuvier now sitting to the NW.
4 pm Moderate and cloudy. Tacked centre of Court of Alderman
SE ½ S South end of Mercury Island SSW ½ W. Tacked away in 1st Reefs
9 pm Tacked
11 pm Tacked
12 pm Light airs and fine. Mercury Island NW ½ W 3 or 4 Leagues.
Sunday 10th May. 1 am Tacked.
Distance a light SSW. Sounded in 42 fathoms. Burnt a Port fire.
2:45 am Sounded in 41 fathoms. Tacked. Up Main sail.
4 am Light airs and fine.
5:30 am Hove to.
6:15 am Furled and made sail.
7:15 am Sent the Gig into the harbour with Purveyor.
* Gig: Light ship’s boat built for speed, usually clinker built.
Rowing four or six oars single banked.
8 am Light breezes and fine. Approached HMS Herald at anchor.
11:15 am Gig returned with a Pilot.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
Bearings and Distance. Running in to Mercury Bay.
pm. Moderate and fine.
12:30 pm Shortened sail. Came to with S Bower in Cooks Bay.
Mercury Bay found here HMS Herald. Furled sails. Tower Island ENE
Island in centre of Channel on with north and Mercury Island NE/N
4 pm Light breezes and cloudy.
Midnight. Calm and cloudy.
Monday 11th May. Calm and cloudy.
4 am Ditto weather. Washed clothes
8 am light breezes and cloudy. Sent the cutter with Senior 2nd Master and
Purveyors to examine and look for Spars.
Noon. Light breezes and fine.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Light breezes and fine.
Tuesday 12th May. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Ditto weather
8 am Ditto weather. Loosed small sails today.
Noon. Light breezes and fine. Unfurled Top Gallant Studding Sails
5 pm. Boat returned.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Ditto weather.
Wednesday 13th May. Light breezes and fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Ditto weather. Sent cutter for water.
Carpenters preparing tools for cutting spars.
Noon. Ditto weather with a swell from the NE. Received 4 tons of water.
Sunset. Calm. Up boats.
Midnight. Light airs and cloudy.
Thursday 14th May. Light variable airs and cloudy.
4 am Ditto weather.
7 am Sent cutter with Senior Second Master with Purveyors to examine a forest
to the southern for timber.
8 am Ditto weather. Employed variously.
Noon. Ditto weather.
4 pm Light airs and cloudy with rain.
6 pm Ditto weather. Up boats.
Midnight. Light variable winds and cloudy.
Friday 15th May. Light winds and cloudy.
4 am Moderate and showery.
8 am Ditto weather. Down Royal Yards. Bent Sheet cable.
Noon. Fresh breezes with drizzling rain.
4 pm Thick squally weather. Set Top Gallant Yards on tack and housed Top Gallant masts.
6 pm Ditto weather. Barometer falling. Pointed yards to the wind.
6:30 pm Let go S Bower.
7 pm Light airs and fine.
8 pm Breeze freshening with heavy rain and squalls.
Midnight. Light breezes and fine.
Saturday 16th May. Light breezes and cloudy.
4 am Moderate breezes with heavy squalls.
8 am Fresh breezes with passing showers. Squared the yards.
Hove to in 30 fathoms on best Bower. Sailed, HMS Herald.
Noon. Ditto weather. Pointed yards to wind.
6 pm More moderate. Barometer rising.
8 pm Fresh breezes and fine. Cutter returned.
Midnight. Ditto weather.
Sunday 17th May. Fresh breezes and fine.
4 am Moderate with passing showers.
7 am Squared yards.
8 am Ditto weather. Hoisted sails. Hove up best Bower & shortened in to 36 feet on S. Bower.
Furled Top Gallants & crossed Top Gallant Yards.
Noon. Fresh breezes & squally.
1 pm Weighed and made all plain sail, running out of Mercury Bay.
Trimmed occasionally, hauling to the southern.
4 pm Fresh breezes and squally.
6:45 pm Shortened sail. Came to with the B. Bower in 10 ½ feet. In Wakahonga Bay.
Alderman’s Island E/N 1/2N. Castle Island N1/2 E.
Midnight. Fresh breezes and fine.
Monday 18th May. Fresh breezes & fine.
4 am Moderate & fine.
8 am Ditto weather. Loosed small sails to dry. Employed unwinding Studding Sails,
Top Gallant & Royal gear. Unbent and made up small sails. Down Top Gallant sails and mast.
Commander went away to sound & examine the coast.
Noon. Moderate & fine. Landed Studding sails boon & Spars.
A party on shore clearing ground for tents.
Midnight. Light breezes and fine.
Tuesday 19th May. Light breezes & fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Ditto weather. A party on shore employed as yesterday. Commander away sounding.
Carpenters fitting tools.
Noon. Ditto weather.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Ditto weather.
Wednesday 20th May. Light breezes & fine.
4 am Ditto weather. Employed preparing to land the men for cutting spars. Carpenters fitting tools.
Noon. Ditto weather. A party on shore pitching tents. Landed various tools.
4 pm Ditto weather. Landed Merrs. Paul & Bowen with purveyors and men to prepare cargo.
Sent one months provisions on shore.
8 pm Light breezes and fine.
Midnight. Ditto weather.
Thursday 21st May. Light breezes and fine weather.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Ditto weather. Hoisted the Dingy out and sent her on shore for the use of party.
Employed variously landing stores for preparing cargo. Commander Sounding.
Noon. Light winds and fine.
4 pm Ditto weather.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight fine weather.
Friday 22nd May. Light variable winds and fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Ditto weather. Sent boat for firewood and Jolly boat with 2 days provisions to
land a native messenger. Loosed sails to dry. Stowed airings below.
Noon. Light airs and fine. Furled sails sent cutter on shore with various tools.
6 pm Light winds and cloudy.
Sunset. Up boats.
Midnight. Light winds and fine.
**Jolly Boat: Clinker built, pulled by oars and was normally hoisted on
a davit at the stern of the ship. It pulled 6 oars on three thwarts.
Saturday 23rd May. Light breezes & fine weather.
4 am Ditto weather. Employed clearing Decks & mast requisite.
Noon. Variable winds and fine. Employed as above.
4 pm Ditto weather.
6 pm. Light winds and cloudy.
Midnight. Ditto weather.
Sunday 24th May. Light breezes & cloudy.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Light breezes & fine.
9:30 am Mustered by Divisions & read prayers to ship’s Company.
Barometer falling.
Noon. Ditto weather.
1 pm Fired a Royal Salute in honour of Her Majesty’s birthday.
1:30 pm Made & weighed sail. Up boats. Running for Island of Otahuhu.
4:30 pm Shortened sail and came to the South Bower. Moored ship. Furled sails
6 pm Moderate & cloudy.
North end of Otahuhu N ½ E. South end of island E ¾ S. Saddle Hill NW/W ¼ W.
8 pm Light winds & cloudy.
Midnight. Moderate & cloudy.
Monday 25th May. Moderate & cloudy.
4 am Ditto weather
.8 am Ditto weather. Unbent sails & unwove all running rigging. Employed stowing away.
Squally with heavy rain.
Noon. Fresh breezes & squally.
Out Pinnace. Struck lower yards & lashed Davits the Gunwale. Landed Top sail Yards fore & aft.
The Tops housed, the Top masts unwove & stored away.
8 pm Moderate & fine.
Midnight. Ditto weather.
Tuesday 26th May. Moderate & cloudy weather. Waugahonga Bay.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Moderate with occasional squalls. People employed as necessary.
Noon. Fresh breezes with heavy squalls at times.
4 pm Ditto weather.
Sunset. More moderate. Up boats.
8 pm Light breezes & cloudy.
Midnight. Ditto weather.
Wednesday 27th May. Light breezes & cloudy.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Moderate & fine. Sent the Cutter with ropes blocks etc. Tools for the use of party in the forest.
Carpenters employed working wedges.
Noon. Moderate & cloudy.
3 pm Cutter returned from forest.
4 pm Light breeze & cloudy.
Sunset. Up boats. Ditto weather.
Thursday 28th May. Light breezes & cloudy.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Light breezes & fine. Sent a forge on shore. Armourer employed working
clamp for Jolly boat. Carpenters as yesterday.
Noon. Fresh breezes & squally. Barometer falling. Armourer at the forge.
6 pm Strong breezes & squally. Veered cable.
Midnight. Strong breezes & cloudy.
Friday 29th May. Strong breezes & squally.
4 am More moderate.
8 am Fresh breezes & showery weather. Sent Armourer on shore to the forge.
Sail maker repairing flags.
Noon. Strong breezes & cloudy.
4 pm Ditto weather. The wind gradually shifting.
6 pm More moderate.
8 pm Moderate & cloudy.
Midnight. Light breezes & cloudy.
Saturday, 30th May. Light breezes & cloudy.
4 am Light winds & fine.
8 am Variable airs & fine. Employed cleaning ship.
10:30 am Shortened in Cable.
Noon. Calm & fine. Employed cleaning main deck, washing ship’s side etc.
4 pm Light breezes & fine.
6 pm Light winds & cloudy.
8 pm Ditto weather.
Midnight. Ditto weather.
Sunday 31st May. Light winds & fine.
4 am Ditto weather.
8 am Ditto weather. Cleared hawser, weighed B. Bower anchor to moor with open house to N.W.
Noon. Light winds & fine.
3 pm Three canoes came alongside from Tauranga.
4 pm Light airs & fine.
6 pm Light variable winds & fine.
Midnight Ditto weather.
 
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