Sydney Gazette early December 1839:
"By the arrival of the Susannah Anne from the Bay of Islands, we have received intelligence of the total-wreck of the whaling barque Juno, ,Captain Banks.
An American whaler which arrĄved at the Bay just prior to the sailing of the Susan nah Anne, reports having seen the barque Juno, of Sydney, on a reef at the extremity of one of the Islands of the Fejees, a total wreck, that the Captain and all hands were massacreed by the natives except Mrs.Banksand two children, who were on the Island'. The'Captain of the American whaler endeavoured to get her off but before he could arrange with the natives to give her up, it came on to blow a heavy gale, and for the safety of his vessel-he wascompelled to bear up. This, account was afterwards confirmed by the Captain of the Guide, who arrived at the Bay shortly after..."
Sydney Gazette late December 1839: "THE BARQUE JUNO -We are happy to inform our readers that the report respecting the loss of the barque Juno Capiain Banks on or off one of the Fegee Islands, turns out to be erroneous. Mr. KĄchard Jones (her owner) having received a letter from J. P. King, Esq., at Port Stephens, stating that the Juno had put in there for refreshments, all
well."
How would you be reading the first report if you were a relative... then reading the second a week or two after grieving!!
Captain Banks is my great great etc... grandfather... one of the the kids supposed left to die is my great great etc grandmother... Good thing for me they weren't killed by locals after all!!
