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The Australian recalls the story of the
New Zealanders of the Ploughboy
who were picked up at sea a year previous
offers an article from the Nantucket Inquirer.

March 2, 1838.

      It will be in the recollection of our readers that about twelve months since, some New Zealanders were picked up at sea in a whale boat by one of our whaling vessels, who stated that they belonged to the Ploughboy, which vessel had been lost, and also the whole of the crew, with the exception of themselves. From some cause or other suspicion was excited — there was some mystery in the matter — and they were consequently taken into custody; but as there was nothing that could be proved against them, they were discharged. We find, the following particulars of the occurence that led to their being at sea in a whale boat, in an American paper: — Mr Davis, first officer of the bark Isabella, just arrived at New Bedford, brings a report that about twenty days prior to their departure from New Zealand, a shocking event occurred on board the ship Ploughboy, Captain Brown, of this port, the particulars of which are thus related. In order to complete the crew of the ship, three natives of New Zealand were employed, who having taken offence at the treatment received from some of the officers revenged themselves by murdering two of the hands, and barbarously wounding a third. These atrocities were committed at night. The natives being forward first beheaded a sea man who was on the watch; a boat-steerer, in the gangway, hearing a noise, and going forward to ascertain the cause, received a terrible cut from a hatchet driven deeply into the shoulder; the man at the wheel was next attacked, pierced through the body with a spear, and fell dead through the skylight. Those below being thus aroused, hastened on deck, and found that the murderers had cut adrift all the boats, in one of which they were endeavouring to escape. One of the natives was shot by those on the ship's deck, but the others got off. Next morning three of the boats were picked up, together with the dead body of the native. The name of one of the murdered seamen is stated to be John Coles, of Nantucket, the other was a native of Denmark, name not given — nor is that of the wounded man reported. — Nantucket Enquirer.

The Australian ( Fri 2 Mar 1838) Page 2.     


Last updated by Tom Tyler, Denver, CO, USA, Jun 11, 2023