Pioneer (1862)
Encyclopedia
Pioneer was a 19th century paddle-steamer
gunboat
used in New Zealand
. Built in Sydney
to the order of the New Zealand colonial government by the Australian Steam Navigation Company, she cost 9,500 pounds. Launched in 1863, she was towed across the Tasman Sea by HMS Eclipse
, leaving Sydney on 22 September and arriving at Onehunga on 3 October 1863.
She was a flat-bottomed, stern-wheel paddle-steamer of 304 tons, made of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) iron. She was 42.6 m long, 6 m beam, and drew only 0.9 m fully laden for travel on the Waikato River. With twin 30 hp engines and a 3.7 m (12 foot) stern wheel she had a speed of 9 knots. She had two iron cupolas or turrets, which were pierced for rifles and 12 pdr guns. The cupolas were 2.4 m (8 feet) high and 3.6 m (12 feet) in diameter.
She was manned by officers and men of the Royal Navy, two companies from HMS Curacoa
; and flew the pendant of Commodore Sir William Wiseman of Curacoa. She proved of immense service in the skirmishing on the Waikato River
in 1863 during the Waikato Campaign of the New Zealand Wars
In 1866 she was wrecked on the Manukau bar
. The two turrets are on display in Mercer (as part of the war memorial) and Ngaruawahia. There are two engravings of her in action on the Waikato River in Ross and Howard, from the Illustrated London News.
Paddle boat
Paddle boat may refer to:* Paddle steamer or paddleboat, a boat propelled by a paddle wheel* Pedalo, a boat propelled by pedalling with the feet* A boat which is paddled, such as a canoe or kayak...
gunboat
Gunboat
A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...
used in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Built in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
to the order of the New Zealand colonial government by the Australian Steam Navigation Company, she cost 9,500 pounds. Launched in 1863, she was towed across the Tasman Sea by HMS Eclipse
HMS Eclipse (1860)
HMS Eclipse was a 4-gun Cormorant-class first class gunvessel launched on 18 September 1860 from the shipyard of J. Scott Russell & Co., Millwall.She was sent to Australia Station in 1863 under the command of Commander Richard Charles Mayne...
, leaving Sydney on 22 September and arriving at Onehunga on 3 October 1863.
She was a flat-bottomed, stern-wheel paddle-steamer of 304 tons, made of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) iron. She was 42.6 m long, 6 m beam, and drew only 0.9 m fully laden for travel on the Waikato River. With twin 30 hp engines and a 3.7 m (12 foot) stern wheel she had a speed of 9 knots. She had two iron cupolas or turrets, which were pierced for rifles and 12 pdr guns. The cupolas were 2.4 m (8 feet) high and 3.6 m (12 feet) in diameter.
She was manned by officers and men of the Royal Navy, two companies from HMS Curacoa
HMS Curacoa (1854)
HMS Curacoa was a 31-gun Tribune-class screw frigate launched on 13 April 1854 from Pembroke Dockyard.She served in the Mediterranean Station between 1854 until 1857 and was in the Black Sea during the Crimean War. She was part of the Channel Squadron between 1857 until 1859. She then was sent to...
; and flew the pendant of Commodore Sir William Wiseman of Curacoa. She proved of immense service in the skirmishing on the Waikato River
Waikato River
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. In the North Island, it runs for 425 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It drains Taupo at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the...
in 1863 during the Waikato Campaign of the New Zealand Wars
In 1866 she was wrecked on the Manukau bar
Manukau Harbour
Manukau Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in New Zealand by area. It is located to the southwest of the Auckland isthmus, and is an arm of the Tasman Sea.-Geography:...
. The two turrets are on display in Mercer (as part of the war memorial) and Ngaruawahia. There are two engravings of her in action on the Waikato River in Ross and Howard, from the Illustrated London News.