Talk:Nukapu Expedition

Why the cruise of HMS Rosario in the South Seas (1871-1872) cannot really be referred to as "the Nukapu expedition"

What is wrong with the first paragraph? This is the first paragraph of the current text:

"The Nukapu expedition was a British punitive expedition from October 1871 until February 1872, in response to the murder of missionary John Coleridge Patteson by natives of Nukapu, one of the easternmost islands of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. A Royal Navy warship was sent to the island, sinking a group of hostile war-canoes and landing men to attack a fortified village."

When HMS Rosario under the command of Acting Commander Albert Hastings Markham left Port Jackson (Sydney) on 19 October 1871 he was not aware of the murder of the missionary, Bishop John Coleridge Patteson. He would not find out about this until the ship's first port-of-call, Norfolk Island, which was an overnight stay from 31 October to 1 November 1871. It transpired that when the missionary ship Southern Cross visited Nukapu on 20 September 1871, while Bishop Patteson was ashore, the missionary ship's boat was attacked, and subsequently two others had died after being hit by poisoned arrows. There were the Reverend Joseph Atkin (a New Zelander) and Stephen Taroaniara, a trainee mission teacher from one of the Solomon Islands.

So this cannot be cited as the pre-cruise reason for the expedition. HMS Rosario's Sailing Orders, dated 19 October 1871, were published as an Appendix to a Parliamentary Report on the cruise of HMS Rosario. which itself was published in May 1872. It is worth noting that the purpose of the cruise as framed in these Orders was not intended to be punitive, but rather to be investigative. Here are the Sailing Orders:

SAILING ORDERS of Her H.M.S. ROSARIO

By Frederic H. Stirling, Esquire, Commodore and Senior Officer of H.M.’s Ships

and Vessels on the Australia Station.

H.M.S. “Rosario” being ready for sea, you are to proceed to the New Hebrides, Santa Cruz and Cherry Islands, calling at Norfolk Island with a mail.

2. At Norfolk Island you will communicate with Bishop Patteson or Mr. Codrington, and if you can procure the services of an interpreter, you are at liberty to do so.

3. As far as time admits you are to visit each island of the New Hebrides and Santa Cruz groups, and communicate with every missionary, planter, or other person from whom reliable information can be obtained relative to the murders of British subjects which have recently taken place there, and to the alleged kidnapping of natives which is supposed to have led to these acts. You are to report fully all the information you can gather.

4. The following correspondence is enclosed for your information, and in order that you may also make inquiries respecting the statements therein contained.

Full and separate reports are to be made on each, and the papers are to be returned to me.

*14th January 1871, (and 2 enclosures,) from Consul at Fiji, murders on board the “Wild Duck” at Santo.

*13th February, (2 enclosures,) from Consul at Fiji.

*9th March 1871, (2 enclosures,) Governor, New South Wales.

*18th March 1871, (2 enclosures,) Governor, New South Wales. Fate of Mr. Rae of the “Marion Renny” at Cherry Island.

*21st March 1871, (2 enclosures,) from Governor of Queensland, schooner “Jason,” complaint against the missionary at Nguna.

*29th April 1871, from Consul at Fiji, murders at Api.

*21st July 1871, from Consul at Fiji, (and 1 enclosure,) proceedings of schooner “Eugenie” or “Imperatrice.”

*21st March 1871, Admiralty, (and 4 enclosures,) piratical proceedings of Pease and Hayes.[1]

5. During your cruise whilst in the vicinity of the South Sea Islands you are to board all vessels carrying British colors, and rigorously ascertain that they are acting strictly in accordance with the “Merchant Shipping Act,” and as regards those employed in the deportation of natives to Queensland, you are to see also whether they are carrying out the provisions of the “Queensland Labour Act,” copy of which is enclosed.

6. The subject of deportation of natives from their homes to other South Pacific Islands is also to engage your earnest attention, and on your return you are to furnish me with the result of your researches in this matter.

7. Although it is the desire of the British Government to prevent any irregularities connected with the so-called labour traffic in these islands, you are in all your proceedings to act in accordance with law.

8. In most of the islands you are about to visit, the natives use poisoned arrows.

9. Your attention is called to Arts. 2 and 4 of the Station Order Book.

10. The service on which you are to be employed is such that the use of steam and expenditure of fuel is left entirely at your own discretion.

11. Having as far as practicable performed the service upon which you are ordered, you will return to Sydney before the ship’s provisions run out.

             Given under my hand on board the “Clio,” at Sydney, the 19th October 1871.

(Signed) F.H. STIRLING

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[1] Against a (handwritten) copy of these original Sailing Orders (page 6 of MRK/37) Commodore Stirling has written in red ink in the margin: ‘The Commander in Chief in China has since informed me that Pease has been captured at Shanghai’.

What happened when HMS Rosario reached Nukapu on 29 November was subject to a great deal of scrutiny, in the press (in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK), in both Houses of Parliament, and in a Court of Enquiry that was convened on board HMS Rosario in September 1872. Story-checker (talk) 18:21, 26 January 2024 (UTC)