The Cutting off of the “ Boyd.” 
81 
was incorrect and imperfect in many details. 
His narrative appeared in the Sydney Gazette 
some time in 1810, and also in the Edinburgh 
Miscellany. Abridged it is as follows : 
These are to certify that during our stay in this harbour 
(Bay of Islands) we had frequent reports of a ship being 
taken by the natives in the neighbouring harbour of 
Whangaroa, and that the ship’s crew were killed and 
eaten. . . . Mr. Berry, in order to ascertain the truth of 
this report, accompanied by Mr. Russel and Metangatanga, 
a Maori chief, set out for Whangaroa in three armed boats 
on Sunday, December 31, 1809, and upon their arrival 
they found the miserable remains of the ship Boyd , Cap¬ 
tain John Thompson, which the Maoris, after stripping 
of everything of value, had burnt to the water’s edge. 
They were able to rescue a boy, a woman, and two chil¬ 
dren, the only survivors of this shocking event, which, 
according to the most satisfactory information, was perpe¬ 
trated entirely under the direction of that rascal Te Pahi 
(a Maori chief who had been made much of by the then 
Governor of New South Wales). 
This unfortunate vessel, intending to load with spars, 
was taken three days after her arrival. On the day of her 
arrival she was boarded by a great number of Mowrees 
{sic), who expressed their eagerness to assist Captain 
Thompson and his crew in cutting the spars. Later on 
in the day Te Pahi arrived from Te Puna, and came on 
board. He stayed only a few minutes, but in that time 
took a keen survey of the ship, and noted the loose 
discipline maintained on board. He then quietly des- 
7 
