Niger (Ship)

Date: [July 1860]

By: Otter, William, active 1860

Reference: MS-Papers-5388

Description: Otter describes the outbreak of war in Taranaki in 1860 over a `paltry' piece of land and writes of the `Iris' arriving at the conclusion of the Naval Brigade's attack when they expected to land some of their men. He describes the defiance of the Maori, and the attack launched by the Naval Brigade from the `Niger', captained by Capt Cracroft, which took a pa, killing several Maori but losing few men themselves Source of title - Supplied title Otter was a midshipman on HMS Iris who arrived in Taranaki shortly after the beginning of the Taranaki campaign in 1860 Quantity: 1 folder(s) (3 pages). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (1 leaf folded) Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Purchased from Julian Browning, Antiquarian Bookseller, P O Box 4005, London W9 1XF, England, October 1995

Date: 1856-1879

From: Royal Naval Hospital Haslar : Surgeons' journals

Reference: Micro-MS-0646-2

Description: Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s).

Date: 1921

By: Messenger, Arthur Herbert, 1877-1962

Reference: A-173-032

Description: Head and shoulders frontal portrait of Captain Cracroft of the Niger. He is facing slightly to his left Drawn from a photograph. The original for an illustration in The New Zealand wars by James Cowan, vol 1 p. 179 Inscriptions: Signed: A.H.M. Quantity: 1 drawing(s). Physical Description: Ink drawing, 100 x 65 mm

Date: 1860

By: Harris, Edwin, 1810?-1895

Reference: C-030-013

Description: Shows arrival of 40th Regiment (from Australia) on the Victoria with, from left the Airedale (steam sloop), Tasmanian Maid (Paddle steamer), George Henderson (Brigantine), a Schooner (Emily Allison, Tyne, or Travellers Bride), the Victoria (H. M. Colonial steam sloop) a schooner. (This information conflicts with that on the original backing board identifying left to right: HMS Cordelia, HMS Niger, Packet ship Tasmanian Maid). The buoy in the left foreground is the New Zealand Company buoy. New Plymouth is shown in the distance with Mt Taranaki. Troops are being ferried ashore in two small lighters in the immediate foreground with others visible in the distance. (See AT 3/1/1, 13 June 1986) Taranaki Museum has a very similar signed watercolour. Attribution and title based on this work. McArthur's catalogue for 10 May 1985 suggests scene as Feb 1861, but Taranaki' Museum suggest arrival of 40th Regiment on board 'Victoria', 3 August 1860. See TL 3/1/1, 13 June 1986. Exhibited in 'Wide-Eyed: Early Images of New Zealand' exhibition of works by settler artists, held at the National Library of New Zealand Gallery, 18 July - 9 November 1997. Inscriptions: Backing board recto - Identification of ships & N.Z. Company buoy Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour on card image 305 x 495 mm on card 400 x 590 mm Provenance: Purchased by Lawford at McArthur's auction, Auckland, May 1985, lot 100. Processing information: Record updated on 17 October 2023 to remove incorrect reference to Victoria HMS (Ship : 1859-1893).