Revised Jun 21 2021
It has been stated above, that H. M. steamer Virago left Callao for Pitcairn, early in 1853, on an errand of kindness. She arrived at the island on the 24th of January. The officers and such of the crew as were landed were about to take their leave. The Virago was the first steam-vessel the people had ever seen, no steamer having before visited Pitcairn; and they had enjoyed, by the Captain's invitation, an agreeable excursion in the vessel round the island. Captain Prevost had wished all farewell, and had gone on board to start for Otaheite.
This was on January the 26th, 1853, when a most serious accident occurred. The magistrate, Matthew M'Coy, and two others, Charles Driver Christian and William Evans, were employed in loading the old gun of the Bounty, to salute the Virago, on her departure. The rammer used was an old rafter, on the top of which was a nail. Whilst Matthew was in the act of ramming home the charge, the friction caused by the nail effected the explosion of the powder. He was blown away several yards from the gun, and his arm was knocked to pieces. The two other men were severely wounded.
Matthew's arm was carefully amputated; but the shock to the system was too severe; and after he had lingered twelve hours in great agony, death put a period to his sufferings. He had the character of being a good man, and well prepared for death. The other two, though severely hurt, happily recovered, and were able to attend Divine service on Easter-day, March 27th. Matthew M'Coy was a grandson of William M'Coy, the mutineer, and was about thirty-five years of age. He was married to Margaret Christian, a sister of Mrs. Nobbs, and had a large family. The old gun has been spiked, and will never be used again.