CRUISE OF THE BISHOP'S SCHOONER SOUTHERN CROSS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 265, 17 September 1864, Page 5

CRUISE OF THE BISHOP'S SCHOONER SOUTHERN CROSS.

ATTACK OX Tin: boat's Clvi: \v isy natives. — I-OSS OV TWO Livrs. The ' Southern Cross' loft Auckland for the South Sea Islands on May 10, calling at jN'orfolk Island on the way, where she arrived on the 17lh, and left again on IStli May for Erromango ; anchored in Dillon J Say on 23rd, and took in provisions, etc., (sent from Sydney to meet her,) which were kindly stored by Mr. Hemy. Left Erromango on the following day, and anchored in Port Patteson. Parks' Island, on the 27th. The day alter leaving IS'cw Zealand had a shoit and shaip nor'-t aster, and before reaching Island, strong winds from jN t . to AY., the line weather being with the winds in S.AY. and S.E. quarters. On the edge of the tropics, strong S. to E.S.E. winds, with thick weather and rain. The first three weeks in June were spent in visiting the jN'cw Hebrides and Banks' Islands. The weather genora'ly fine, but with several interruptions to the trade wind, on one occasion for nearly five days. On the iioth J line left Port Patteson for C'liitis Island, Australia. Anchored in two days ofl'thenew port of Santa Cruz. On the Ist, it "being Sunday, sailed slowly along, heaving too occasionally oil' the diflereiit villages, which are here both numerous and populous, many canoes following, as many as fifty at a time, about the vessel, nil merry and good humoured. On Monday morning, the 15th August, Bishop Patterson proceeded! as usual in his boat to visit the different villages, where he had met with a very friendly reception two years before, the ' Southern Cross ' following along shore. Having spent the forenoon in this manner, they arrived at Ilie last village on the now coast, at the entrance to Graciosa Bay, where Bishop Patteson, who had already landed at two populous villages, again went on shore, wading for some distance over the reef uncovered at low water, the boat as usual in such cases lying off. Not less than from SCO to 400 natives were assembled. In about half an hour the Bishop returned to the boat, without as yet suspccting any unfriendliness on the part of the natives. But, on the boat attempting to pull out. several natives, who were swimming round her, attempted to hold and drag her back, while others on the reef close at hand menaced them with their bows; and on the men in the water being obliged to let go, as the boat gathered way, those on the reef commenced shooting, and very quickly three of the crew were struck, viz. ;—E.

I'earce, in chest, disabled at once, Edwin jNobb, in chest, and Fisher Young, through the wrist, both, however, managed to pull till the sail was hoisted. 'The natives now- gave chase in their canoes, shooting repeatedly and shouting to others who were returning from the schooner to cut them off, which they endeavoured to do ; at length getting into the breeze Jiisliop Patteson was enabled to make sail and so reach the vessel. Ko causc can be assigned for the above attack, all having been civil and apparently friendly up to the time ol' Uisliop l'attcson's getting into the boat. The wounds of Fisher, Young, and Echvin. Kobbs appeared slight in themselves and for n few days appeared to do well ; but in the case of F. Young symptoms of lock [aw soon appeared, of which he died on the'22nd of August. ]le was buried at l'ort l'atteson.

in K. No lib's case the same symptoms did not present themselves for several days after this, and were less acute, ile died on the sth of September, and w as buried at sea.

Ji. Pierce's wound is nearly well. Previous to this melancholy ad'air, it had been Bishop Patteson's intention to have visited the Beef Islands north of Santa Cruz, which had now to be given up as well as any other plans which may have been formed, and the return voyage immediately commenced. Arrived at Hanks' Islands oil the 2Gtli, much retarded by light baffling airs. Found the hull of the 'Bonnie Doon,' whaler, of Sydney, Capt. Francis, lying high and dry 011 Powo Peel' —a dangerous reef lying 5 ° ]N T . of Vanua Lava, the largest of the Banks' Islands. They had called at these islands to get pigs and yams previous to proceeding to the whaling ground, and were lost on this reef on the night of the sth July. Ail hands were saved, together with most of the provisions, the boats, &c.; her whaling casks, &c., anchors and cables arc still in her. flic master and twelve of the crew left in one of their boats soon after for Jispiritu Lauto, sending up the trader ' Sea Gull,' in which the mate and four ot the crew left The second mate, five white men, and two Solomon Islanders were .still

living at the neighbouring island of Vsilua when the ' Southern Cross' arrived there on August 3Lst. ■ J.ho natives have treated them very kindly. One man, G. Wood, came on in the 'Southern Cross' to Now Zealand; the remainder preferred waiting tho next trader's arrival to tho oiler of a passage to the nearest port of call.

Having collected, the scholars, &c„ the Southern Cross ' left the Bunks' Islands on the

26th August for tlie New Hebrides, and lmvinrr to work down for the most part against a fiery breeze, did not get away from the latter till the •> 1 st. The wind then being far to the i°qc T<' ]°k% c d her to go as far cast as 1/3 E. before any southing could bo made, and c\en then Norfolk Islatid, which, under the peculiar circumstances, Bishop Pattcson was especially desirous of visiting, was not made, and on the continuance of baffling winds, the attempt to reach it was given up,' and advantage taken of a leading wind (it being still necessary to lose no time in getting to iN r ew Zealand) for Auckland. Had a stormy north-west breeze, with much sea, oil' the Three Kings, &c. The ' Southern Cross' brings two Nor folic Islanders and thirty-seven Melancsians. This appears to have been an exceptional season among the islands, as regards weather, &e. Very little steady trade wind. Much hot, close weather, by which the natives appear to have been somewhat sufferers. The thermometer on board occasionally at 90 ° or 91 ° , ranging only to 87 ° ; at other times from 88 ° to 8-1 ° 7 Yam crops had partly failed in some islands. Health on board was good throughout the voyage. '