Great Barrier Pigeongram
A Brief history
Great Barrier Pigeon Post
1898 - 1904
Great Barrier Island History
Great Barrier Island, also referred to as "Aotea" in the Māori language, stands as an enchanting natural haven in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf. Nestled off the north-eastern coast of the North Island, this island has a rich and diverse history that spans millennia. From the early Māori settlers to European explorers, whalers, gold prospectors, and military strategists, Great Barrier Island has witnessed a multitude of influences that have shaped its cultural and environmental landscape.
Great Barrier Island has been inhabited by Māori people for over a thousand years. These indigenous settlers established thriving communities that centred around fishing, farming, and gathering resources from the island's abundant natural environment. The island bears the marks of their presence in the form of archaeological sites and artifacts that serve as a testament to their enduring heritage.
European exploration of Great Barrier Island commenced in the late 18th century, with Captain James Cook being one of the notable explorers to visit its shores. Cook named the island "Great Barrier" due to its imposing size and the natural barrier it presented to his ship's passage. European settlement began in earnest in the mid-19th century, and industries such as farming, logging, and mining were established. The town of Tryphena in the south of the island became one of the early European settlements.
It was these economic activities that created the opportunity for an improved communications structure. In the late 1890s Great Barrier was serviced from Auckland by a weekly steamer that dropped passengers, mail and supplies and uplifted same heading back to Auckland. Outside of the Steamer there was no way of knowing what was happening off the island, or for those in Auckland and beyond, what was happening on the Island.
Great Barrier Pigeon Post
1898 - 1904
The Beginning – The S.S. Wairarapa
The lack of communications was emphasised in very unfortunate circumstances. The S.S. Wairarapa was a vessel of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. Launched in 1882, it was a prominent ship, known for its regular passenger and cargo service between Sydney, Australia, and New Zealand. The ship played a crucial role in connecting the two countries and transporting passengers, cargo, and mail.
On the night of October 28, 1894, the SS Wairarapa was enroute from Sydney to Auckland. The ship carried approximately 230 passengers and crew members, along with a significant cargo. As the ship neared the northern coast of Great Barrier Island, it encountered rough seas, strong currents, and limited visibility due to heavy rain and fog.
Despite the challenging conditions, Captain John Francis Morley decided to maintain full speed, hoping to reach Auckland on schedule. It was also noted later that just the previous week the ship had set a new 'record' for the journey (interesting theme with the Titanic?). Tragically, the ship's course was misjudged, and it struck the jagged rocks of Miners Head on the northern tip of Great Barrier Island at around 2:30 a.m. on October 29, 1894.
The impact was catastrophic, tearing a massive hole in the hull of the SS Wairarapa. Passengers and crew were thrown into chaos as the ship began to take on water rapidly. In the midst of the confusion, lifeboats were launched, but the rough seas and treacherous conditions made it extremely challenging to evacuate the ship safely.
Image: Photo taken aboard the S.S. Wairarapa in 1894 just days after being wrecked. No credit.
The residents of Great Barrier Island quickly mobilised to aid the survivors. Local Māori, including the Ngāti Rehua tribe, played a pivotal role in rescue efforts, displaying remarkable courage and compassion. Despite their heroic efforts, the disaster resulted in significant loss of life. Of the approximately 230 people on board, it is estimated that over 130 perished in the wreck, including women, children, and crew members.
And nobody outside of Great Barrier knew. There was no communication means. Fortunately, the weekly steamer was in the area, the S.S. Argyle. She was able to collect the survivors and reached Auckland at 3 a.m. on 1 November - three days after the event - and no-one in Auckland had a clue.
A mail item carried by the S.S, Argyle, the ship that was coincidentally on hand to uplift survivors from the S.S. Wairarapa. in 1894
The wreck of the SS Wairarapa remains a haunting reminder of the perils of maritime travel in the late 19th century. It prompted inquiries and investigations into ship safety and navigation practices. Additionally, the tragedy served as a catalyst for improvements in coastal navigation and led to the establishment of lighthouses and navigational aids in the region. But the accident had two philatelic legacies:
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The first was the mail on the S.S. Wairarapa. The S.S. Argyle returned the next week with divers and although difficult, they recovered over 100 bags of mail. Each letter saved from the wreck was stamped "Saved from the Wreck of the Wairarapa in either blue or a violet blue colour. These covers are now very collectible.
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The second Philatelic legacy of even greater significance was the birth of the Great Barrier Pigeon Service.
Two different coloured cachets were used - violet and dark blue. Top &. middle covers “Saved from the wreck of the S.S. Wairarapa” cachet in violet, and bottom cover in blue.
Great Barrier Pigeon Post
1898 - 1904
The Beginning – The First Flimsy
The S.S. Wairarapa was part of the Northern Steamship Company. In January 1896, more than a year after the tragedy, the company hosted a memorial journey to the location of the wreck of the S.S. Wairarapa.
Family, friends, and dignitaries abounded. This was big news, and The New Zealand Herald knew it had to get the story published first. They approached one Walter Fricker, pigeon fancier and racer, and asked if he could provide a bird who could fly a journalist's story back to the mainland thus getting the 'news' first. A little bird called 'Ariel' was selected for the job, and on 29 January 1896, Ariel was set loose with the five-page report attached. The report was published as below.
Great Barrier Pigeon Post
1898 - 1904
Pigeon Post Services Begin
Walter Fricker had been sending pigeongrams from Waitekauri (Waihi gold fields) to Thames for some time, helping miners and others needing to communicate quickly about developments in the area. The service was informal and irregular, but Great Barrier Island were not the first pigeongrams in NZ by more than two decades.
Nonetheless, the message from Barrier to Auckland with the NZ Herald article coincided with increased economic activity on the Island and created a communication channel that inhabitants of the Island desired, so opportunity knocked. And that opportunity was confirmed by Joseph Smales. A stockbroker and mining investor, Smales negotiated with Fricker to provide a regular communication link between Great Barrier and Auckland. This service opened in February 1897 (although no-one knows the exact date of the first message) and operated from Okupu.
Walter Fricker circa 1899
Pigeons were sent regularly by the weekly steamer to Fricker’s agent on Great Barrier, a Miss Springall. Messages were 2/- a piece paid in advance. As yet, there were no stamps. Payment was cash up front.
No one really knows why, but the relationship between Fricker and Smales was relatively short lived. Many suggest there might have been some financial issues between the two, but no one knows for sure. What is known is the relationship went South, and not by pigeon ;o). Smales was sold on the idea of pigeon post and so engaged with a Mr. J.E. Parkin, a pigeon fancier and at the time the caretaker of the Auckland Chambers at 31 High Street.
But Fricker was also sold on the idea and so continued his service. A competitive environment ensued, and things were about to get interesting.
On a fateful day the S.S. Iona was steaming to Great Barrier Island and had as part of its cargo, pigeons from both Pigeon Post companies. As the seminal book by Reg Walker (1968) explains, Mr Parkin had asked one of the crew to release his birds as they neared Great Barrier Island for a training run. The crew member however, released the birds owned by Mr Fricker, who then experienced his birds returning with no messages. It gets worse. Mr Parkins birds are mistaken as Mr Fricker's and so forwarded to his agent Miss Sprigall. Miss Springall attached messages to the birds and sent them home - to Mr. Parkin!
All hell broke loose. To keep it simple - Fricker thought he'd been set up. He was not happy. Parkin realised what had happened and sent a message to Miss Springall to release the remainder of his birds. Miss Springall now realised what had occurred. We can't be sure but Fricker thought she might be involved and didn't communicate with her again. Parkin jumped at the chance and offered Miss Springall the opportunity to be his agent. With no further communication from Fricker - she accepted.