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THE ROYAL NAVY IN NEW ZEALAND HMS NIGER 1860 – 1861 HMS Basilisk and HMS Niger - Towing Stern to Stern GERALD J. ELLOTT MNZM RDP FRPSL FRPSNZ AUGUST 2019 HMS NIGER HMS Niger Name - Geographical HMS Niger was a Wooden Screw Sloop armed with 2 x 68 pounder and 12 x 32 pounder guns. Her tonnage was 1,013 bm., 190 x 35 feet, complement 160 men. Built in Woolwich Dock Yard, launched on 18 November 1846. First commissioned at Portsmouth 9 July 1850. 1869 Decommissioned and Sold on 2 December 1869 to Castle, for breaking up at Charlton. HMS Niger was engaged during the Crimean War, and also the 2nd Anglo- Chinese War, prior to being commissioned on 8 September 1858 to join the Australian Station, and New Zealand. 2 Extract from the Royal Navy List The Australian Station was separated from the East Indies Station in June 1859, with William Loring CB., of HMS Iris, appointed Commodore. With trouble anticipated in New Zealand, the Admiralty had been requested to have a Royal Navy Ship stationed there, and in the case of HMS Niger, to be kept, if so ordered by Loring, upon the New Zealand coast. 17 September 1859. Prior to leaving Sydney, HMS Niger had been repaired by John Cuthbert at the Fitzroy Dock, Sydney between 8-10 September 1859 1 October 1859 Arrival of HMS Niger at Auckland New Zealand The Southern Cross 4 October 1859 Reporting the arrival of HMS Niger - Saturday 1 October 1859 at Auckland 3 18 November 1859 HMS Niger, leaves Auckland on a Cruise of the NZ North & South Islands 2 December 1859 HMS Niger arrived at Nelson Nelson Examiner 3 December 1859 Nelson 4 1 January 1860 – 10 January 1860 HMS Niger Captain Peter Cracroft – Extract from his Diary Notes 5 11 January 1860 – 20 January 1860 HMS Niger Captain Peter Cracroft – Extract from his Diary Notes 6 16 January 1860 HMS Niger returns back to Auckland after the New Zealand Cruise New Zealander Wednesday 18 January 1860 7 1 February 1860 – 10 February 1860 HMS Niger Captain Peter Cracroft – Extract from his Diary Notes 8 11 February 1860 – 20 February 1860 HMS Niger Captain Peter Cracroft – Extract from his Diary Notes 9 21 February 1860 – 29 February 1860 HMS Niger Captain Peter Cracroft – Extract from his Diary Notes 10 22 February 1860 Martial Law had been declared in the Taranaki District Taranaki Herald 25 February 1860 28 February 1860 - Tuesday HMS Niger left Manukau Harbour for New Plymouth The Southern Cross - Tuesday 28 February 1860 11 1 March 1860 – 10 March 1860 HMS Niger Captain Peter Cracroft – Extract from his Diary Notes 12 1 March 1860 - Thursday HMS Niger arrived at the roadstead, New Plymouth, and landed the Artillery men, the two Howitzers, and 96 rounds of rifle ammunition. 4 March 1860 - Sunday HMS Niger embarked his Excellency Colonel Thomas Gore Browne, and steamed for Waitara, having previously taken on board a large quantity of heavy camp equipment for the troops which were marching to Waitara. The men from the Niger having landed and taken possession of the W. Kingi’s Pa. The Maoris retired precipitately at the sight of the blue jackets and marines. 5 March 1860 - Monday When Colonel Gold and the troops sighted the Waitara where the Union Jack was flying over W. Kingi’s Pa, and on arrival it was found that the men from the Niger had landed everything and was in possession. 6 March 1860 - Tuesday THE TARANAKI HERALD 10 March 1860 13 7 March 1860 - Wednesday HMS Niger on returning to New Plymouth roadstead, landed the two Howitzers, which were taken to Marsland Hill. 9 March 1860 - Friday 20 Marines, 50 seamen, Lieutenants, Blake and Wells, a Midshipman, and Assistant Surgeon and a Gunner, together with a 12 pounder Howitzer, were landed and posted on a commanding position in the east end of the town (now known as Fort Niger) 10 March 1860 - Saturday HMS Niger left New Plymouth for Manukau, to coal, and bring more troops. 11 March 1860 HMS Niger Captain Peter Cracroft – Extract from his Diary Notes 13 March 1860 - Tuesday Blue Jackets and Marines from HMS Niger were engaged and posted at different stations between Cracroft Redoubt and Fort Niger, effectually to prevent surprise attack eastward of the town. 16 March 1860 - Friday Reports were received that W. Kingi had rebuilt his Pa overnight, indicating that considerable reinforcements of men must have arrived, consequently Lieutenant Blake HMS Niger with the Rocket corps of the Naval Brigade, and 2-24 Pounder howitzers, were ordered to proceed to Waitara in the harbour boats. 17 March 1860 – Saturday The men from HMS Niger, took a conspicuous part in the attack of the Te Kohia Pa, more generally known as the “L Pa” from its shape, some nine miles from New Plymouth and about two miles from the Waitara River. The force under Colonel Gold, was composed of three companies of the 65th Regiment, 20 Royal Artillery, ten Sappers & Miners, and twenty Volunteer Cavalry, together with the Naval Brigade from HMS Niger. The British losses were 2 Killed and 2 Wounded, no known losses by the Maoris, who evacuated the Pa overnight. 14 15 19 March 1860 – Monday On returning to New Plymouth, the troops were engaged in constructing Stockades and Redoubts. Taranaki Herald 31 March 1860 26 March 1860 - Monday HMS Niger returned from the Manukau, with Quartermaster Withers and 32 men of the 65th Regiment. Additional 65th Regiment Officers and men and supplies arrived on board the Airedale, the next day 16 21 March 1860 – 30 March 1860 HMS Niger Captain Peter Cracroft – Extract from his Diary Notes 17 Taranaki Herald 31 March 1860 27 March 1860 - Tuesday News was received in New Plymouth that William Kingi had murdered three men and two boys, and boasted that he would drive the Europeans into the sea. 28 March 1860 - Wednesday The Naval detachment on shore accompanied the troops into the country to bring into town some settlers who lived in exposed and outlying places; and Captain Cracroft at the desire of Governor Gore Browne, landed further officers and men to hold the town during the absence of the expedition. He disembarked in person, with sixty seamen and Marines. The rescuing force had not advanced more than four miles when it found itself warmly engaged with a strongly-posted body of Maoris. Word was sent back for reinforcements, and Captain Cracroft went at once to the front with his men and a 24-pr. rocket-tube. William Kingi occupied a pah at Omata on the summit of a hill, and had severely handled the British force before the arrival of the small Naval contingent, the leader, Lieutenant William Hans Blake had been dangerously wounded, and a Marine killed. Captain Cracroft, determined to storm the pah, and, addressing his men, pointed to the rebel flag, and promised £10 to the man who should haul it down. He then moved to within 800 yards, and opened fire from his rocket-tube, which, however, made no impression. It was then nearly dark, and Colonel Murray, who led the military force, announced his intention of retreating to the town, whither he had been ordered to return by sunset, and advised Captain Cracraft do the same. Captain Cracraft, had other ideas, and declared that he proposed to take that pah first. The visible withdrawal of the troops from the front of the position probably had the effect of rendering the Maoris more careless than he might otherwise have been the result was that Captain Cracroft managed to get close up to an outlying body of natives before his presence was detected. Within 60 yards of the enemy he gave the word to double. With a volley and a cheer the men were instantly in the midst of the Maoris, who, after a brave resistance, took refuge in the pah behind them, or escaped. The seamen and Marines from HMS Niger rushed onwards, met tomahawk with bayonet, and soon annihilated all resistance. Captain Cracroft decided that his force was not enough to hold the position, he returned with his wounded, who were not numerous.. On the following day, the enemy retired to the southward, having lost very heavily. It should be added that William Odgers, seaman, who was the first man inside the pah, and who pulled down the enemy's flag, was awarded the Victoria Cross 18 WILLIAM ODGERS William Odgers climbing the Stockade at Kaipopo Pa- An Artist’s impression by Henry Payne (1900) Pure Ariki Taranaki Museum CITATION On the 28th of March 1860. William Odgers displayed conspicuous gallantry at the storming of a Pah during operations, against Rebel Natives in New Zealand; having been the first to enter it under a heavy fire, and having assisted in hauling down the enemy’s colours. Jury Farmhouse, showing elevation of Kaipopo Pa – A. H. Messenger 19 Waireka Battlefield Blue Jackets approaching the Pah along the south road to Omata Sketch by Murray Moorhead 31 March 1860 HMS Niger left for the Manukau, Captain Cracroft, Passengers – His Excellency the Governor, Ensign St. Hill, as well as the three captured Maori flags. 5 April 1860 HMS Niger arrived back from the Manukau, with Ensign St. Hall and H. Ford 6 April 1860 HMS Niger left for the Manukau, with Donald McLean Esq. Taranaki Herald 7 April 1860 20 STORMING WAIREKA PAH The Battle of Waireka Waireka, five miles south-west of New Plymouth, was the theatre of an engagement (28 March 1860) which proved the fighting-capacity of Taranaki’s newly trained Volunteers and Militia, and saved the town from direct attack by the united strength of the southern tribes.