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Foreign News
September 22, 1774
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In 1774, a boat crew of ten from the Endeavour, on a discovery mission, was sent ashore in New Zealand for vegetables but attacked by natives, murdered, and cannibalized, leaving only bones.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Extract of a Letter from on Board the Endeavour, which was sent out on Discoveries, &c. dated at Sea, 1774.
"I am sorry to relate the following melancholy Account. A few Days ago we sent one of our Boats on Shore at a Place called New Zealand, with ten of our People, to get some Vegetables, with strict Orders not to separate, and to return at three o'Clock; when, on their going ashore, they were attacked by the Natives. We waited till the next Morning, with the greatest Anxiety, and finding them not returned, we manned all the Boats we could, and went to the Shore, where we found the Boat, and the Bones of the ten poor Men, who had been murdered by the Savages of that Place, and had eaten the greatest Part of their Flesh, even to the bare Bones, so that it was the greatest Spectacle that ever human Nature beheld. We could not see any of them, therefore I cannot give you any Description of them as yet."
"I am sorry to relate the following melancholy Account. A few Days ago we sent one of our Boats on Shore at a Place called New Zealand, with ten of our People, to get some Vegetables, with strict Orders not to separate, and to return at three o'Clock; when, on their going ashore, they were attacked by the Natives. We waited till the next Morning, with the greatest Anxiety, and finding them not returned, we manned all the Boats we could, and went to the Shore, where we found the Boat, and the Bones of the ten poor Men, who had been murdered by the Savages of that Place, and had eaten the greatest Part of their Flesh, even to the bare Bones, so that it was the greatest Spectacle that ever human Nature beheld. We could not see any of them, therefore I cannot give you any Description of them as yet."
What sub-type of article is it?
Discovery Mission Incident
Native Attack
What keywords are associated?
Endeavour Ship
New Zealand
Crew Attack
Cannibalism
Discovery Voyage
Native Savages
Where did it happen?
New Zealand
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
New Zealand
Event Date
1774
Outcome
ten crew members murdered and partially eaten by natives
Event Details
A boat with ten men sent ashore for vegetables attacked by natives; crew not returned by next morning; search found boat and bones, flesh eaten to bare bones; no natives sighted.