Herald was a 55-ton schooner that was launched on 24 January 1826 at Paihia in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. While "Herald" was the first sailing ship built in New Zealand, a small vessel named "Providence" was constructed in Dusky Sound in 1792–93 by the crew of a sealing ship and it was completed in January 1796 by the crew of another sealing ship that had been wrecked at Dusky Sound in the previous year. In October 1827, the 40-ton schooner "Enterprise" was completed in the Horeke shipyard (also known as Deptford) in the Hokianga Harbour. "Enterprise" was wrecked in a storm north of Hokianga Heads on 4 May 1828 with the loss of all hands. Two days later the "Herald" was wrecked on the Hokianga bar.
Construction of "Herald".
"Herald" was built on the authority of the Revd. Samuel Marsden using plans drawn by William Hall. The Revd. Henry Williams, the leader of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) mission in New Zealand, laid the keel for the vessel on 31 August 1824. He had received training in ship-building prior to being sent to New Zealand. Williams needed a ship to provision the Paihia Mission and to visit the more remote areas of New Zealand to bring the Gospel to the Māori people. When Gilbert Mair, visited New Zealand for the third time, Williams asked him to assist in building the "Herald". The ship-builders were:
The timber came from the forests at Kawakawa, with the "Brampton", which was wrecked in the Bay of Islands in 1823, also providing some timber.
Voyages.
"Herald" went to Sydney, Australia four times and the Bay of Plenty four times. She also sailed three times around the North Cape, to Hokianga Harbour on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
Maiden voyage (1826).
On 16 February 1826 "Herald" departed Paihia for Sydney (Port Jackson) to complete her fittings and to obtain a cargo of stores for the mission. On board were a crew of three Māori men and three boys, two English seamen, William Fairburn as supercargo, William Puckey as mate, Gilbert Mair as captain, and Henry Williams. Also on board as passengers, were Mr and Mrs Puckey and their daughter, Rangituke (the son of Ana Hamu and Te Koki, a Ngāpuhi chief) and William Hall, who had become sick.
Second voyage (1826).
On 20 June "Herald" departed Paihia on her first voyage to Tauranga to trade for pork and potatoes for the mission. The passengers were Henry Williams, Richard Davis, George Clarke, James Shepherd, Rangituke and Te Koki. At 9 am on Friday 23 June 1826 "Herald" became the first European ship to enter Tauranga Harbour. Henry Williams conducted a Christian service at Otamataha Pā.
On 3 July "Herald" arrived at Paihia.
Third voyage (1826).
On 19 September "Herald" departed Paihia for Hokianga. However dangerous seas prevented "Herald" from entering the harbour.
Fourth voyage (1826).
On 12 October "Herald" departed Paihia on her second voyage to Hokianga, arriving on 15 October.
Wreck of the "Herald".
On 6 May 1828 the "Herald" was wrecked on the Hokianga bar. She had been off the harbour for two days, waiting a favourable opportunity, as a high sea was then running. On the 6th, a little before sunset, she was making for the bar with a fair wind; but, when upon the bar, the wind suddenly failed, and she was left to the power of the breakers, and was carried upon the rocks. The master and the crew clung to the rigging till morning; when the tide allow them to walk ashore – there was no loss of life. The Chief Mate William Lewington, made a statement in 1828, attested by James Norton, giving details of the wreck of the "Herald" and protesting that it was not due to any neglect of duty.
Memorial.
A memorial stone for the "Herald" was erected on the beach at Paihia.
The "Herald" appeared on a 5c stamp that was issued by New Zealand Post in 1975.
Citations.
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