Politics > Pyrmont at War > New Zealand Wars
New Zealand Wars: the role of The Pioneer
From 1845 to 1872 a series of wars pitted Maori defending their lands against the British. The New Zealand Wars were known at the time as the Maori Wars, and New Zealand – seen from New South Wales - was not a foreign country. Many Sydneysiders fought on the side of the British. Pyrmont’s most distinctive contribution was the gun-boat The Pioneer, built in the Australasian Steam Navigation Company (ASNC)’s Darling Harbour shipyards in 1863.
In that year, the government confronted the Kingitanga movement in Waikato. An ultimatum to surrender was issued and rejected. Eventually 14,000 troops were mobilised against perhaps 4,000 Maori. General Cameron needed gunships to control the Waikato River, and The Pioneer was one of three shallow-draft vessels carrying supplies, ferrying troops, and dispersing guerrilla fighters. By the end of the year Maori were forced to a formal battle. British and colonial troops prevailed, 12,000 km2 of land was confiscated, and there was no more war for two years.
For George Sparkes, “the Maori Wars” were a good preparation for a career in the New South Wales Police. “It was after serving in the Maori war that I came to Sydney”, he says, “and having nothing better to do, I joined the police force. Might, to a very great extent, was right … and a very important part of a constable's duty was to be able to take his own part.”
Press Reports
The Argus, 11 November 1863
The gunboat, now named the Pioneer, has been undergoing some slight alterations before going up the [Waikato] river. Her masts have been removed and ports made in her bulwarks; she has also had several cannon from H.M.S. Curacao placed on board her … Relieved of her masts and spars, she draws not more than two feet of water.
Leader, 14 November 1863
Another gun boat has been ordered from Sydney. Two have been ordered eighty feet in length, to draw only one foot of water, and they will be brought over in sections.
The Argus,18 November 1863
All the obstacles to the movement are smoothed away by the arrival of the Pioneer gunboat without accident. She has since been taking up guns and other things to the redoubt at Whangamarino. [S]he went up to Meremere, to see how the land lay and if possible ascertain whether the natives were still in force at that place …
No sooner did the gunboat tie up alongside the landing-place than a tremendous fire was opened upon her from the rifle-pits on the hill-side … The shots, both from the musketry and the cannons, rained upon the Pioneer incessantly, and she replied with great vigour, and apparent effect, upon her assailants. No injury whatever was sustained by the vessel, although under fire for two hours and a half. During the firing, a large number of canoes came down the river from Puparata, with not less than 1,000 men on board them. The Pioneer saluted them with a few shots …
The experiment … showed plainly, in the first place, that the Pioneer was admirably adapted for her work; and, in the second, that the numbers of natives now at Meremere are very great - probably not far short of 4,000 men in all.
The departure of the Pioneer was hailed by the most vociferous rejoicings by the Maoris ...
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