THE MASSACRE OF THE "BOYD."
Since the time of Cook, and other circumnavigators of that period, the
character of these people has undergone a thorough change. Then it was
necessary when a ship anchored, that the boarding nettings should be up,
and all the arms ready for immediate use. The principal object the chiefs
had in view seemed to be to lull the commanders into a fatal security,
then to rush upon them, seize their vessel, and murder all the crew! Too
often had they succeeded, and as often have they paid most dearly for
their treachery and cruelty. In the case of the ship Boyd, though they
attained their object, they were as completely punished for their
perfidy. From their ignorance of the nature of powder, and the use of a
magazine, they blew up the ship, and vast numbers of the natives were
destroyed. Besides this calamity, they brought down upon themselves the
vengeance of every vessel that visited these shores for a long period
afterwards. As the circumstances may not be generally known, Mr. Berry's
letter, relating the particulars of that melancholy, yet interesting
event, is here inserted:--
"Ship, City of Edinburgh,
"Lima, Oct. 20, 1810.
Sir,--
I am very sorry to have the painful task of introducing myself to
you, with an account of the loss of your ship Boyd, Captain
Thompson.
Towards the end of last year I was employed in the Bay of
Islands, New Zealand, in procuring a cargo of spars for the Cape
of Good Hope. About the middle of December the natives brought me
an account of a ship's being taken at Whangaroa, a harbour about
fifty miles to the N.W. At first we were disposed to doubt the
truth of this report, but it every day became more probable, from
the variety of circumstances they informed us of; and which were
so connected as appeared impossible for them to invent.
Accordingly, about the end of the month, when we had finished our
cargo, although it was a business of some danger, I determined to
go round.
"I set out with three armed boats: we experienced very bad
weather, and after a narrow escape were glad to return to the
ship. As we arrived in a most miserable condition, I had then
relinquished all idea of the enterprise; but having recruited my
strength and spirits, I was shocked at the idea of leaving any of
my countrymen in the hands of savages, and determined to make a
second attempt. We had this time better weather, and reached the
harbour without any difficulty. Whangaroa is formed as
follows:--First, a large outer bay, with an island at its
entrance; in the bottom of this bay is seen a narrow opening,
which appears terminated at the distance of a quarter of a mile;
but, upon entering it, it is seen to expand into two large
basins, at least as secure as any of the docks on the banks of
the Thames, and capable of containing (I think) the whole British
navy. We found the wreck of the Boyd in shoal water, at the top
of the harbour, a most melancholy picture of wanton mischief. The
natives had cut her cables, and towed her up the harbour till she
had grounded, and then set her on fire, and burnt her to the
water's edge. In her hold were seen the remains of her
cargo--coals, salted seal skins, and planks. Her guns, iron,
standards, etc., were lying on the top, having fallen in when her
decks were consumed.
"The cargo must have been very valuable; but it appears that the
captain, anxious to make a better voyage, had come to that port
for the purpose of filling up with spars for the Cape of Good
Hope.
"Not to tire you with the minutia of the business, I recovered
from the natives a woman, two children, and a boy of the name of
Davies, one of your apprentices, who were the only survivors. I
found also the accompanying papers, which, I hope, may prove of
service to you. I did all this by gentle measures, and you will
admit that bloodshed and revenge would have answered no good
purpose. The ship was taken the third morning after her arrival.
The captain had been rather too hasty in resenting some slight
theft. Early in the morning the ship was surrounded by a great
number of canoes, and many natives gradually insinuated
themselves on board. Tippahee, a chief of the Bay of Islands, and
who had been twice at Port Jackson, also arrived; he went into
the cabin, and, after paying his respects to the captain, begged
a little bread for his men; but the captain received him rather
slightingly, and desired him to go away, and not trouble him, as
he was busy.
"The proud old savage (who had been a constant guest at the
Governor's table at Port Jackson) was highly offended at this
treatment, immediately left the cabin, and, after stamping a few
minutes on the deck, went into his canoe. After breakfast the
captain went on shore with four hands, and no other arms but his
fowling-piece. From the account of the savages, as soon as he
landed they rushed upon him; he had only time to fire his piece,
and it killed a child. As soon as the captain left the ship,
Tippahee (who remained alongside in his canoe) came again on
board. A number of sailors were repairing sails upon the quarter
deck, and the remainder were carelessly dispersed about, and
fifty of the natives were sitting on the deck. In a moment they
all started up, and each knocked his man on the head: a few ran
wounded below, and four or five escaped up the rigging, and in a
few seconds the savages had complete possession of the ship. The
boy Davies escaped into the hold, where he lay concealed for
several days, till they were fairly glutted with human blood,
when they spared his life. The woman says she was discovered by
an old savage, and that she moved him by her tears and embraces;
that he (being a subordinate chief) carried her to Tippahee, who
allowed him to spare her life. She says, that at this time the
deck was covered with human bodies, which they were employed in
cutting up; after which they exhibited a most horrid dance and
song in honour of their victory, and concluded by a hymn of
gratitude to their god.
"Tippahee now took the speaking trumpet, and hailing the poor
wretches at the mast-head, told them that he was now captain,
and that they must in future obey his commands. He then ordered
them to unbend the sails, they readily complied; but when he
ordered them to come down they hesitated, but he enforced prompt
obedience by threatening to cut away the masts. When they came
down he received them with much civility, and told them he would
take care of them; he immediately ordered them into a canoe, and
sent them on shore. A few minutes after this the woman went on
shore with her deliverer. The first object that struck her view
was the dead bodies of these men, lying naked on the beach. As
soon as she landed a number of men started up, and marched
towards her with their patoo-patoos. A number of women ran
screaming betwixt them, covered her with their clothes, and by
tears and entreaties saved her life.
"The horrid feasting on human flesh which followed would be too
shocking for description. The second mate begged his life at the
time of the general massacre; they spared him for a fortnight,
and then killed and eat him. I think if the captain had received
Tippahee with a little more civility, that he would have informed
him of his danger, and saved the ship; but that from being
treated in the manner I have mentioned, he entered into the plot
along with the others.
"I assure you it has been a most unpleasant thing for me to write
about, and I could only have been induced to do it from a sense
of duty, and a desire to give you all the information in my
power, which I suppose may be of some use.
"I am, Sir,
"Your obedient humble servant,
"ALEXANDER BERRY."
Considering Mr. Berry's limited acquaintance with these islanders, and
the horror of the scene before him, his is a good and an impartial
account; but facts which have been obtained subsequently have exonerated
the natives to a certain extent. By repeated conversations I have held
with several chiefs who were engaged in this dreadful affair, and from
information I procured at Sydney, I have no doubt but that the Captain
himself was the most in fault.
[Illustration: Whangaroa, Scene of the "Boyd" Massacre.]
He was commissioned by the Government of New South Wales to land a native
chief named Philip at New Zealand, whom he subjected to a cruel and
impolitic punishment. This man, smarting from his stripes, and burning
with a desire to revenge his dishonourable treatment, excited all his
friends to the commission of that bloody massacre.