AROUND THE WORLD

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1931, Page 3

AROUND THE WORLD

GOSSIP OF THE PORTS. THE MERMAID OF LONDON. (By Lee Fore Brace in Auckland Star). Since its discovery by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century Faster island has always remained an enigma to everyone who has landed on its barren shores. (Scientists and naturalists have wrangled over its mysteries, and its deep valleys, peopled, as it were, with gigantic statues of a long-forgotten civilisation, have filled visitors with awe. And so' it was with the crew of the Mermaid, wh.n they landed there in 1795. The description of the island as given in the logbook, is an interesting one, so I shall give it in full: — ' “July 9.—This day made the Easter Island and sailed round it. Seems to be about 12 leagues in circuit, and its hill may be observed at sea for a distance of 16 leagues'. Stood off and on during night, and at the sunrise came in to the land at the sou’-west angle, where are two small islands, and round which and about four miles to the, nor’-nor'-west, where they are shut in by the land on the north of them, came to an anchorage in 36 fathoms. The beach on the main 'bears north. “It is a very uncomfortable anchorage, as the current sets the ship abeam to the ground swell. . • •

“PLACE SEEMS HAUNTED.” “July 10.—Landed on the main island this daylight. Found no water, no wood, and little vegetation. No people hereabouts. Explored large valley running over centre of the island, but when only half-way through crew refused to go further. Large and fierce-looking stone gods are standing on platforms up and down the valley, some of which are more than five fathoms high. The trade wind sweeps down the valley, and makes a moaning oilich among the gods. Returned to ship with shore party, as place seems haunted. . . . Very disappointed with barrenness of this island. . . . In the evening unmoored and stood to sea. . . Set course to south and west for a landfall at New Zealand. . . .’’

On the sth October, we read ; “At noon this day position of ship in 165 miles from the New Zealand main, but from the large number of birds in the vicinity of ship consider position to be nearer the land than that given by observation. Stationed a hand at fore and main to look out for land. At dusk large patches of kelp, and sometimes driftwood, noticed on surface of sea. Wore ship round, shortened .sail to reefed topsail, and stood to eastward. During niglit landbird flew aboard, which the •New Zealand Indian calls a wararowa.” That last sentence gave me considerable thought. Could the bird mentioned in the old log-book possibly be' a “p piwhararoa,” or shining cuckoo?

THE SOUTHERN ALPS. .And now let me get hack to (he log: ‘‘October 6.—At 4 a.in. this day set all sail and headed west and by north. At noon high land seen on port bow. Hauled in more to west, and took soundings at intervals. 'No bottom at fifty fathoms. At nightfall reduced ship to plain sail and,"stood off and on. Indian pilot cannot name this part of coast. To the south, about 50 miles distant, appeal's high snow-eoverfcd mountains. During night saw several fires on the main. Latitude by observation is 40 degrees 10 minutes south. (This . would place the (Mermaid slightly to the- west of Cook Straits, and .the* high snow-coverqd mountains seen to the south would he the Southern Alps). “October 7.—At daylight ran into the land, heading north and by west. Pilot now knows the lands, says the cape on the bow is Teecowcow. (This is probably meant for .Te Kaukau, north of Cape Pal User). Pilot gave no information that best fishing grounds lie to the north, so stood off and set course at north and east. , “October 9.—Made Mahee Island this day at sunrise. Stood well into the land, and at noon 'was visited by a large number of Indians in canoes. They are finely made meiij some having painted faces, which the pilot tells me is called mako tutu. Exchanged old clothing for many diver kinds of fishes, the best being a large cod called AA hapooku (Hapuku ?) Two of the Indians agreed ' to sign a lay for the northern fishing. | Stood off the land at nightfall. . . (The | iMahee Island mentioned is evidently . meant for the Mahia Peninsula).

INTO BAY OF PLENTY. “October 11.—This day stood into the land and opened out a large bay. Ran in until water shoaled to 30 fathoms, and then stood north. At noon saw what appeared to be a vessel on fire to the west. .Ran down and found that the smoke was coming from a small island. Sailed close in and discovered that the island is a volcano, the smoke of it rising to a hundred fathoms or more from the land. Stood off to north and west, sighted three whales making southing, but failed to head them owing to wind falling to calm. In evening got irons into three blackfish which tried out 20 barrels. . . Indians are good bootmen. . . Several islands passed between ship and the main, . . Stood off to 100-fathom line, and then stood north. . . (This bay is, of course, the Bay of Plenty, the island which was on fire being the now well-known White Island). “October 12.—Several islands to port, and large island ahead, which pilot tells me is Heerakeemater. (Hirakimata is the Maori name for the Great Barrier Island at the entrance to the Hauraki Gulf). Stood close in to Heerakeemater, as pilot says there is much water close in, the island'being steep-to. Ran along

the west side, which is the lee, and uiichoreu .11 splenu.i.l loadsted on norwest coast. (This is evidently the harbour now known as Port Eitzioy). Many Indians came off to the ship, bringing, their women folk with them. They are friendly people, and brought us fish and pigeons, for which they would accept nothing. Landed and found land to have great forests to shore-line. The best timber is the Cowdie (Kauri), and arranged with an Indian chief to allow us to get new spars for topmasts and topgallant masts. Paid him nine hatchets, two pots and three trousers for help. This payment pleased him much.

i STA Y AT GREAT BARRIER. The Mermaid had a long stay at the I Barrier. She was careened, fitted with new masts, and overhauled from truck to keel, and it was two days after Christmas when she took her departure for the Bay of Islands, or “Kororahreeka,” as the Mermaid’s captain called it. She took nine more “Indians” from the Barrier, and managed to strike two whales on her passage northwards. Making Cape Brett the description given will, I think, be recognised by every Auckland yachtsman : “December 29.—Made tile south headland of Kororahreeka Bay this day. It can be recognised easily by shipmasters standing in close to the main, when an outlying small island, pierced through with a tunnel, will be seen. Stand to the north for about one league ) and then 'the bay is open to the west. The bay is thickly populated, and the Indians are friendly. Good anchorage and shelter from all winds is best at south and west of bay. . .” And here we must leave the Mermaid o 'and her daring company. There are few further interesting entries in the log, and the book is filled prior, to her departure for N'ew Holland. To read the jquairit old book is like a breath of old days, and perhaps some day we might find out something more about the .Mermaid of London.