C.19th engraving made up of six views by an officer of H.M.S. Emerald which had been sent to the Solomon Islands to account for the murder of Lieutenant Bower and five men of H.M.S. “Sandfly”, 17 December 1880′.
Inset titles: 1. King’s House, Strong Island. 2. Native House Built on a Reef. 3. American Mission Church at Apaiang, Charlotte Island. 4. Canoe of Kingsmill Islanders. 5. Ugi Island, Solomon Islands, Village of Ete Ete. 6. Niri or Eeg Island.
From the original edition of the Town and Country Journal.
References:
Bennett, Frank & Christopher, The Australian Town and Country Journal. Sydney. 1881.
Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 41861
State Library New South Wales: 1870-1919 TN83A
State Library Victoria: RARENSL N.S.W. 1870-1919
THE cruise of H.M.S. Emerald, although far from ‘ answering the expectations of many desirous of a severe punishment being meted out to the ferocious natives of the South Sea Islands, who have so long formed the terror of those trading in that part of the world, was nevertheless full of interesting incidents. After visiting Tambokoro, a friendly chief, residing at Baranago, Floridalslands, Captain Maxwell organized an expedition, comprising a steam pinnace, two cutters, and the Sandfly’s whaleboat, which had been found on the coast at Baranago. The expedition was under the charge of Lieutenant A. C. Clarke, and was followed by the Emerald at daylight on to Raita, distant about seven miles. It was the natives of this place who cruelly murdered Captain Bower and his men on Nogu Island, which is five or six miles from Raita. The boating expedition, under Lieutenants A. C. Clarke and Hay, having reconnoitered Raita, the boats’ crews were ordered to land, together with two guides from Savo and three from Baranago. These natives, not having any weapons with them, asked to be armed. They refused to take tomahawks when offered them, and asked for long knives, meaning cutlasses. These, however, were not supplied them ; but they nevertheless led the expedition. Mr. Haddock, who left Sydney in the Emerald, accompanied the expedition as interpreter. The natives were the first to enter the huts, which were afterwards destroyed. After the destruction of the three shore villages, comprising fifteen or twenty shanties or huts, the bugle sounded for the landing party, comprising thirty men. On the ‘ guides being* asked to lead through the bush to the inland villages, they hesitated. Mr. Haddock, however, managed to get one of them to show the path. The country was undulating and difficult to travel, but was nevertheless quickly penetrated for some three miles as the crow flies. Two villages, consisting of ten good huts, were destroyed, also a large plantation of some four or five acres, on which were growing yams, bananas, cocoanuts, bread-fruit, and other produce. Returning to Baranago, all the natives who had been in the expedition were generously paid in “trade” for their services. All the Emerald!s boats were hoisted up, and the natives who had no canoes were requested to go on shore. The chief Tambokoro, would not, however, leave till his son, who had been guide, got in the water to swim ashore. There were some twelve natives swimming to land through areef breaker, which was pretty heavy ; bub five of the natives would not risk the swim. They eventually got into a two-man canoe, and just as they reached theTjreakthe canoe capsized, but the occu- pants landed safely. At Alite Bay the natives were found very numerous ; they inhabit a number of small islands, but plant their food on the main island CMaylata). These natives were very friendly, but somewhat shy. From this place the Emerald obtained certain facts as to the Borealis’ massacre ; and, having procured a guide, the Emerald, proceeded towards the scene of the murders. She arrived there on the 23rd, anchoring in a harbour named Quahquahroo, under the island of Qui. The steam pinnace and a boat, with Captain Maxwell, proceeded to the small island of Uru, which is five or six miles from Qui. On arriving there they in- vestigated as to the destruction done by the vessel that went to the assistance of the Borealis, and found that
