HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21987, 23 June 1933, Page 11

HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

LECTURE BY DR MULLIN A lecture on “Early Visitors to the West Coast Sounds” was given before members of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Historical Association in Begg’s concert chamber last night by Dr W. J. Mullin. The president of the branch (Dr J. R. Elder) briefly introduced the speaker. Dr Mullin said that he proposed to deal with the period from 1770 to 1800, His authorities for his material were Captain Cook’s journals and Robert M'Nab’s researches. The latter historian had dealt very completely with the history of the southern part of the South Island. He had been able to devote much time and money to the work, and he had left little for others to do. Captain Cook’s “Voyages” gave a very complete account of Dusky Sound. Tasman had seen the mountains of the West Coast, but it was not until Cook came that anything like exploration was attempted. In 1770 he sailed around the south of Stewart Island, where he nearly lost his ship, and he came to an inlet on March 19, but did not enter, naming the place Dusky Bay. The belief at that time was that there was a great southern continent, and this Cook had shown to be wrong by his action in sailing round the two islands of New Zealand. Doubtful Sound had tempted Banks, the botanist, but Cook had decided against going in. In 1772 Cook came out on his second expedition, entering Dusky Sound in his ship, the Resolution. His first anchorage was at Anchor Island, not tar up the Sound. Cook stayed in the Sound for seven weeks, and made a careful survey of the inlet which, for many years afterwards, was used as a refitting base by visiting ships. At this time Natives were found there, said the speaker, but he did not think that they remained there much later. Cook had also described in his journals the fish and bird life.

After he left on May 11, Dusky Sound was not visited for nearly 20 years, Vancouver and Broughton, naval officers, being the next to come, and two arms of the Sound were named after them. In 1792 the first’'sealing party, under William Haven, came to Dusky to secure sealskins for the China market. They also explored Breaksea Sound and saw a Native hut, but did not see the occupants. The party secured 4500 sealskins during the 10 months spent there. In the meantime a Spanish expedition, commanded by Malaspina, visited New Zealand waters, and spent a short time on the coast exploring the entrances to the Sound, One of the most romantic stories of the Sounds was that of the wreck of the Endeavour, under Captain Hampton, in Facile Harbour, Dusky Sound. A vessel which had been partly built by the sealers was still there, and it was •decided to abandon the Endeavour. This wreck seemed to have given rise to many romantic travellers’ talcs, the most remarkable being that the ship had been Cook’s vessel. This could not have been the case, however, as Cook did not enter Dusky Sound with the Endeavour.

Dr Mullin illustrated his talk with maps of the Sounds district. On the motion of Mr H. D. Skinner, a vote of thanks was accorded the speaker for his interesting lecture.