History
New Zealand
NameHerald
OwnerChurch Missionary Society (CMS)
BuilderCMS personnel
Laid down31 August 1824
Launched24 January 1826
Completed16 February 1826
Maiden voyageBay of Islands to Sydney, Australia February 1826
FateWrecked on 6 May 1828 while trying to enter Hokianga Harbour.
General characteristics
Class and typeSchooner
Tons burthen55 (bm)
Sail planfore-and-aft sails
Crew3 Māori men and 3 boys, 2 English seamen, and the mate and the captain

Herald was a 55-ton schooner that was launched on 24 January 1826 at Paihia in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.[1][2][3] While Herald was the first sailing ship built in New Zealand, a small vessel named Providence was constructed in Dusky Sound in 1792–93 by the crew of a sealing ship and it was completed in January 1796 by the crew of another sealing ship that had been wrecked at Dusky Sound in the previous year. In October 1827, the 40-ton schooner Enterprise was completed in the Horeke shipyard (also known as Deptford) in the Hokianga Harbour. Enterprise was wrecked in a storm north of Hokianga Heads on 4 May 1828 with the loss of all hands.[4] Two days later the Herald was wrecked on the Hokianga bar.

Construction of Herald

Herald was built on the authority of the Revd. Samuel Marsden using plans drawn by William Hall.[5][6] The Revd. Henry Williams, the leader of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) mission in New Zealand, laid the keel for the vessel on 31 August 1824. He had received training in ship-building prior to being sent to New Zealand. Williams needed a ship to provision the Paihia Mission and to visit the more remote areas of New Zealand to bring the Gospel to the Māori people.[7] When Gilbert Mair, visited New Zealand for the third time, Williams asked him to assist in building the Herald. The ship-builders were:

The timber came from the forests at Kawakawa, with the Brampton,[10] which was wrecked in the Bay of Islands in 1823, also providing some timber.[5]

Voyages

Herald went to Sydney, Australia four times and the Bay of Plenty four times. She also sailed three times around the North Cape, to Hokianga Harbour on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand.[9]

Maiden voyage (1826)

On 16 February 1826 Herald departed Paihia for Sydney (Port Jackson) to complete her fittings and to obtain a cargo of stores for the mission. On board were a crew of three Māori men and three boys, two English seamen, William Fairburn as supercargo, William Puckey as mate, Gilbert Mair as captain, and Henry Williams. Also on board as passengers, were Mr and Mrs Puckey and their daughter, Rangituke (the son of Ana Hamu and Te Koki, a Ngāpuhi chief) and William Hall, who had become sick.[11][12][13]

Second voyage (1826)

On 20 June Herald departed Paihia on her first voyage to Tauranga to trade for pork and potatoes for the mission. The passengers were Henry Williams, Richard Davis, George Clarke, James Shepherd, Rangituke and Te Koki.[16][17] At 9 am on Friday 23 June 1826 Herald became the first European ship to enter Tauranga Harbour. Henry Williams conducted a Christian service at Otamataha Pā.[18]

On 3 July Herald arrived at Paihia.[19]

Third voyage (1826)

On 19 September Herald departed Paihia for Hokianga. However dangerous seas prevented Herald from entering the harbour.[20]

Fourth voyage (1826)

On 12 October Herald departed Paihia on her second voyage to Hokianga, arriving on 15 October.[21]

Fifth voyage (1826)

Sixth voyage (1826–27)

Seventh voyage (1827)

Eighth voyage (1827)

Ninth voyage (1827–28)

Tenth voyage (1828)

Eleventh voyage (1828)

Wreck of the Herald

On 6 May 1828 the Herald was wrecked on the Hokianga bar. She had been off the harbour for two days, waiting a favourable opportunity, as a high sea was then running. On the 6th, a little before sunset, she was making for the bar with a fair wind; but, when upon the bar, the wind suddenly failed, and she was left to the power of the breakers, and was carried upon the rocks.[39] The master and the crew clung to the rigging till morning; when the tide allow them to walk ashore – there was no loss of life.[37][38][40] The Chief Mate William Lewington, made a statement in 1828, attested by James Norton, giving details of the wreck of the Herald and protesting that it was not due to any neglect of duty.[41]

Memorial

A memorial stone for the Herald was erected on the beach at Paihia.[42]

The Herald appeared on a 5c stamp that was issued by New Zealand Post in 1975.[43]

Notes

  1. ^ Cargo Manifest: 2 Buts Salt, 2 Barrels Pitch, 1 Ditto Tar, 12 Cases Soap, 1 Ton Sugar, 29 Casks fine Flour, 9 Ditto second do., 1 Hhd. Beer, 2 Casks Axes, I Cask Native Clothing, I Ditto Sundries.[27]

Citations

  1. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2011). Te Wiremu: Henry Williams – Early Years in the North. Huia Publishers, New Zealand. pp. 65–66. ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5.
  2. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2004). Marianne Williams: Letters from the Bay of Islands. Penguin Books, New Zealand. pp. 97–99. ISBN 0-14-301929-5.
  3. ^ McLean, Gavin (20 July 2015). "Launching the Herald". 'Shipbuilding - The wooden era', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. ^ "First Commercial Shipyard in Horeke". Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  5. ^ a b Fitzgerald, Caroline (2011). Te Wiremu: Henry Williams – Early Years in the North. Huia Publishers, New Zealand. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Appendix IV - The Herald". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 487. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  7. ^ Carleton, Hugh (1874). "Vol. I". The Life of Henry Williams. Early New Zealand Books (ENZB), University of Auckland Library. pp. 43–53.
  8. ^ Rogers, Lawrence M. (1973). Te Wiremu: A Biography of Henry Williams. Pegasus Press.
  9. ^ a b Crosby, Ron (2011). Gilbert Mair, Te Kooti's Nemesis. Auckland: Reed Publ. pp. 23, 25, 27. ISBN 0-7900-0969-2.
  10. ^ "Brampton". Convict Ships. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  11. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  12. ^ Carleton, Hugh (1874). "Vol. I". The Life of Henry Williams. Early New Zealand Books (ENZB), University of Auckland Library. p. 52.
  13. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2011). Te Wiremu: Henry Williams – Early Years in the North. Huia Publishers, New Zealand. pp. 67–68, 72–73. ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5.
  14. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (W. Williams to C. M. S., 1 April 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  15. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (W. Williams, Journal, 31 May 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  16. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (W. Williams, Journal, 20 June 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  17. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2011). Te Wiremu: Henry Williams – Early Years in the North. Huia Publishers, New Zealand. pp. 72–73. ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5.
  18. ^ McCauley, Debbie (2015). "Koraurau (c. 1796-1828)". Tauranga Memories Kete: Tauranga Local History. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  19. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (W. Williams, Journal, 3 July 1826; H. Williams to w. Marsden, 4 July 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  20. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (W. Williams, Journal, 24 September, 12 October 1826; H. Williams to W. Marsden, 16 October 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  21. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (W. Williams, Journal, 12 & 16 October 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  22. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (W. Williams, Journal, 28 November 1826; H. Williams to C. M. S., 13 December 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  23. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams to C. M. S., 13 December 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  24. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 28 December 1826)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  25. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams to C. M. S., 17 January 1827)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  26. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 15 March 1827)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  27. ^ a b "EXPORT MANIFEST, OF THE SCHOONER HERALD. G. MAIN [sic], MASTER, FOR NEW ZEALAND". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser p. 3. 24 February 1827. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  28. ^ a b "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 26 March 1827; 7 April 1827)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  29. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 23 July 1827; W. Williams, Journal, 11 July 1827)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  30. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 9 October 1827)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  31. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 19 November 1827)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  32. ^ "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 19 January 1828)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  33. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2011). Te Wiremu: Henry Williams – Early Years in the North. Huia Publishers, New Zealand. pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5.
  34. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2004). Marianne Williams: Letters from the Bay of Islands. Penguin Books, New Zealand. pp. 149–150. ISBN 0-14-301929-5.
  35. ^ a b "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 4 April 1828, et seq)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  36. ^ McCauley, Debbie (2015). "Koraurau (c. 1796-1828)". Tauranga Memories: Tauranga Local History. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  37. ^ a b "Appendix IV – The Herald (H. Williams, Journal, 8 May 1828; Marianne Williams, Journal, 11 May 1828)". Williams, H. The Early Journals of Henry Williams, p. 479-494. 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  38. ^ a b Fitzgerald, Caroline (2004). Marianne Williams: Letters from the Bay of Islands. Penguin Books, New Zealand. pp. 150–152. ISBN 0-14-301929-5.
  39. ^ "The Missionary Register". Early New Zealand Books (ENZB), University of Auckland Library. 1829. p. 466. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  40. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2011). Te Wiremu: Henry Williams – Early Years in the North. Huia Publishers, New Zealand. pp. 109–111. ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5.
  41. ^ "Herald (Ship) Schooner : Official declaration of loss by Lewington, William James (1808–1883)". National Library of New Zealand. 1828. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  42. ^ Rogers, Evelyn H. (1939). "Midnight Rail Excursion: A Trip to the Bay Of Islands". The New Zealand Railways Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  43. ^ "Vintage Transport – Sailing Ships". New Zealand Post. 1975. Retrieved 14 February 2017.

References


Categories