''William and John'' was a New Zealand

cutter Cutter may refer to: Tools * Bolt cutter * Box cutter, aka Stanley knife, a form of utility knife * Cigar cutter * Cookie cutter * Glass cutter * Meat cutter * Milling cutter * Paper cutter * Side cutter * Cutter, a type of hydraulic rescue to ...

of 10 tons.

Voyages and notable incidents

''William and John'' is first recorded in New Zealand shipping reports in port at

Lyttelton Harbour Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō is one of two major inlets in Banks Peninsula, on the coast of Canterbury, New Zealand; the other is Akaroa Harbour on the southern coast. It enters from the northern coast of the peninsula, heading in a pred ...

in March 1851. On 8 April 1851, ''William and John'' was anchored in Lyttelton Harbour when a gale caused the vessel to drag its anchor into shallow water. It was hauled up and laid on the beach at high tide by onlookers, escaping the further damage which would have been caused if the cutter settled on the harbour floor at low tide. The vessel was trading around

Banks Peninsula Banks Peninsula is a peninsula of volcanic origin on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an area of approximately and encompasses two large harbours and many smaller bays and coves. The South Island's largest cit ...

one month later, delivering goods to settlers around the Peninsula. On 18 May 1851, ''William and John'' was recorded in Pigeon Bay, where the master, Daniel Morrison, fell from a rock and was knocked unconscious. He died at Lyttelton hospital on the evening of the following day. In the coroners inquest, it was found that Mr Morrison had been drinking, and fought with a worker at the sawmill before he fell from a rock on the shore.

Wreck

On 27 June 1851, a severe gale blew through Lyttelton Harbour. ''William and John'' is described as being dashed to pieces in the storm.

References

Shipwrecks of Banks Peninsula Maritime incidents in 1851 Cutters Lyttelton, New Zealand {{Ship-stub