| |||||
| Decades: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| See also: | |||||
Foveaux Strait is the centre of attention for sealing ships. Sealing gangs are dropped along the coast from southern Fiordland to Otago Harbour and on Stewart Island/Rakiura. The Bay of Islands is sometimes on the journey to or from Port Jackson. The Chatham Islands are also visited.[1] A few whalers also operate around New Zealand; some also collect timber from Bay of Islands.[1]
In November the Boyd massacre occurs in Whangaroa Harbour. It is precipitated by ill-treatment of a Māori crew member. There are only four survivors and the ship is later accidentally set on fire. It takes several months for all vessels operating around New Zealand to hear what has happened and through confusion and misrepresentation the wrong chief is blamed.[1]
Māori are taken on as crew or passengers on various vessels that travel throughout the Pacific and also to England.[1]