Maxwell, William Henry, active 1880

Date: 1 Jan 1880-25 Aug 1881

By: Burn, J G, active 1881

Reference: MSX-7863

Description: Contains a private journal kept by J G Burn, an engine room (ER) artificer aboard HMS `Emerald'. The journal provides details of the crew's movements, the destruction of villages in the Solomon Islands and the injuries inflicted on the Islanders during the search for the murderers. In December 1880, Captain Maxwell was despatched on HMS `Emerald' to investigate the murders of the boat's crew belonging to the British schooner `Sandfly'. A two month operation followed where the crew moved between the Islands in search of the guilty parties, destroying villages as they found them. James Hay's journal reported that approximately 33 villages were destroyed during this time. Although, the crew of the `Emerald' did not find the murderers, sometime later Bishop Selwyn convinced the chief to surrender those involved, who were duly executed. From J Bach, The Australian Station (Australia: NSW University Press, 1986). Other - The National Library of Australia have another log relating to this expedition. Quantity: 1 volume(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss