American Whaling Vessels and John B. Williams

Early Sailing Vessels and Visitors to Tauranga – Part IX
American Whaling Vessels and John B. Williams

American whaling ships were prominent among the 2000 vessels known to have visited tribal New Zealand before the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. During their typical two year whaling voyages, these large vessels, which averaged 340 tons, not only reprovisioned at main trading ports like the Bay of Islands, Kapiti Island and Akaroa. Competing with English, French and colonial Australian vessels also seeking provisions, they also stood off every populated cape and peninsula and entered every bay and safe harbour to trade with Maori.

From the mid-1820s, smaller colonial Australian whaling-gun trading vessels like the Haweis, John Dunscombe and Prince of Denmark anchored off Motiti Island or entered Tauranga Harbour to trade with Ngai Te Rangi. Yankee whalers were also regular visitors to the Bay. One vessel stood off Whakatane to take on provisions and Maori sailors including the Ngati Awa warrior Hemi Paraone Te Waiwe. Another, with a large cargo of oil and whale bone, was driven ashore and wrecked to the east of Maketu as late as 1838. The cargo was plundered and the surviving crew enslaved by local tribes. Intriguingly, Ngai Te Rangi informed the missionary leader Henry Williams in 1825 that they had helped unload barrels from a large vessel within Tauranga harbour. This unidentified vessel (not the missionary vessel Herald which visited in 1826), was the first European vessel known to have visited Tauranga. The barrels likely contained rum, gunpowder or whale oil, the latter being a trade item prized by Maori.

A ship driven ashore on the New Zealand coast. In 1838, an American whaler with a cargo valued at US$10,000 was driven ashore during a fierce storm and wrecked in the Bay of Plenty

The American sailor John B. Williams of Salem, Massachusetts visited New Zealand and the Bay of Plenty aboard the whaler Tybee during 1832-1833. Later appointed by President Tyler as United States Consul at the Bay of Islands, Williams compiled a journal during his residence between 1842 and 1844. A combination of first hand observations, hearsay, fact and opinion, William’s journal nevertheless provides one of the first detailed pictures of the Bay of Plenty and its Islands, following Captain Cook’s first cursory description in 1779.

“The seacoast is mostly sand with bard [barred] harbours, only capable for small vessels to enter. The natives of these places were very treacherous often seizing small vessels and detain[ing] them taking property to a large amount. Should a vessel be so unfortunate as to get aground, going in or out of either of those places she is free for plunder and considered a lawful prize.

Of the Islands in the Bay of Plenty the first or northernmost one is Mairs [Tuhua or Mayor] Island, or Tuhua], high, sandy & covered with wood with a population of 200 natives subsisting chiefly on fish and mutton birds. When they are fearful of their enemies they retire to a flat top hill which is composed of loose rocks etc. These they tumble down on their enemies (that attempt to attack them) with great vengeance & effect. This island was formerly volcanic, having a large lagoon in the centre, doubtless has been the crater.

The next or inner island in the Bay is Flat Isld [Motiti] a little south of Touranga, is at present uninhabited, capable of cultivation, fine land of rich soil but no harbours. A small vessel can anchor between the island and the main, however the holding ground is not good being rocky bottom,

[An Island] known by the appelation of Moutohora lays about 7 miles from the mainland, highly elevated and one part is on fire, immense quantities of sulpher can be had (large cargoes). Around its shores are found excellent fish, and the natives frequently go from the main for that purpose. It has been noted and remarkable for black whale in great numbers. Whaling parties have been fitted out at very great expense, and often in danger of losing all their property. One season one whaling party was unsuccessful and came away leaving their property to whomsoever might think proper to use it. A rock about the size of a whale boat lies between Mair Island and Flat Island in a direct line between the two about midway."

Moutohora or Whale Island, Bay of Plenty

Williams journal casts light on the large sulphur deposits on Moutohora as well as the resident shore whalers.

"Fourth Island, so called, White Isld [Whakaari], has a volcanoe which is constantly burning, and issuing from it a very great smoke, which is often noticed to increase before a gale. It has a very large crater in the centre, running in from the east side. The level of the mouth of this crater is not more than 4 feet from the level of the sea. Here are to be found many kinds of variegated stones, with sulphur in large quantity. Pumice stone is also floating about the island, which must have been thrown out. It would be impossible for any person to remain on this island any great length of time (say a few hours) as the smell of sulphur is so exceedingly strong. The north part is covered with a scrub, and very bold water around the island, one or two small pyrimid rocks lay at some distance from it

1843. Touranga is said to be finest part of New Zealand; in this vicinity said to be a fine country and much level land about the sea coast, the soil very fertile. Potatoes & Corn are to be found in great abundance. And more flax has been dressed by its natives than by any others on the coast. 150 tons was procured for the Sydney market. Of late they have commenced salting pork.

Wood is very scarce, the plains are covered with nothing but fern, the hills being a great distance back, from where they are obliged to get wood. If indolence prevails they gather whatever may come in their way on the sea shore. Pipe clay is plentiful, covered with a very heavy black sand.

The Fishermen (natives) are very expert at Touranga, leaving early in the morning and returning late at night with a very great variety of fish, which that Bay is so much noted for its great variety. The whole of the long range of New Zealand Coast is abundantly supplied with beautiful fish.”

Of interest to modern day local fishermen, Williams included in his description of ‘beautiful fish’: hapuka, sting ray, flounder, snapper, kahawai, mullet, gurnard, tarakihi, crayfish and eel.

References
Bentley, Trevor, Pakeha Slaves, Maori Masters: The Forgotten Story of New Zealand’s White Slaves, New Holland, Auckland, 2019.
Mair, Gilbert, Reminiscences and Maori Stories, Brett, Auckland, 1923: 2.
McNab, Robert, From Tasman to Marsden: A History of Northern New Zealand from 1642 to 1818, Wilkie and Co, Dunedin, 1914.
Williams, John, B; The New Zealand Journal, 1842-1844 of John B. Williams of Salem, Massachusetts, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, 1956: 39-45.

Images
Cuthbert Clarke, ‘The beaching of the French corvette L’Alcmene’, B-030-009. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington.
'Moutohora or Whale Island, Bay of Plenty.' Image provided courtesy of East Bay Aviation and White Island Flights.