The Pioneer was iron-built in Sydney in 1863 and was used mainly as a river boat but for only three years - until she was wrecked on the entrance bar at Manukau Harbour.
Armed with two 12 pounder guns mounted in cupolas she was 153 feet long (46.6metres) and came under fire from Maori cannon in October 1863 while moving upstream on the Waikato River to investigate the war preparations of the Maori king Tawhiao who had dug a series of trenches at Meremere to block the progress of British forces under General Cameron.
New Zealand Gunboat Pioneer 1863-1866.
The Tribal Master-Gunner Nganiho Tamaoho laid his battery of guns from a position high on the bank above the Waikato. the smaller six pound swivel gun was lowest and might be moved between two embrasures covering both upriver and downstream - while two other cannon, a twelve pound carronade and a twenty-four pound cannon were higher on the Meremere ridge.
Initially the shore batteries shots fell short but they corrected and managed hits to the Pioneers iron hull and upper-works. When Pioneer swung round to run back down river they loaded one piece with iron nails and scored another hit causing the only reported British casualty of a scalp wound to one seaman. the Pioneers iron plating was too strong for the maori make-shift ammunition.
The next day 30th October the shore battery loaded their 24 pounder with a heavy steel-yard weight and scored their best hit and breeched the Pioneers upper-works damaging a barrel of beef.
The Pioneers two guns and 40 Pound Armstrong guns from Whangamarino returned fire to the riverside trench system causing the Kingite Maori to prudently abandon their position leaving the two heavy guns behind.
As we used to say when kids - "He who fights and runs away - Lives to fight another day." - It's called 'a tactical withdrawal'.
The 300 ton Pioneer was the first warship purpose-built for the New Zealand Government.
Marty K.
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After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870
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