Tonquin


An American vessel, which brought out the Astorians from New

York to the Columbia in 1810. She was commanded by a domineering

officer, Captain Thorn. The following year, accompanied by Alexander

McKay, one of the partners of Astor's company, Thorn sailed north on a

trading expedition. At Nootka, while trading with the natives, he struck

one of the principal chiefs and turned him out of the ship. A few days

later a larg
party of Indians came on board, ostensibly to trade, but

carrying concealed weapons. At a preconcerted signal, they fell on the

officers and crew, killing all but five seamen, who escaped into the

hold. Four of these escaped the following day in a boat, but perished at

sea. The natives, believing the ship deserted, come on board in a crowd

to pillage her. Suddenly, while four or five hundred were huddled

together on the deck, the ship blew up with a frightful noise. The

sailor who had remained behind, probably wounded, is supposed to have

taken this terrible revenge. An Indian of Gray's Harbour, who had been

among the crew, managed to escape during the massacre, and brought the

news to Astoria. =Index=: (Sir James Douglas era) Attacked by natives at Clayoquot Sound,

June, 1811, and entire crew massacred, 37; sent to the Columbia by

Astor, 71; murder of crew, 71. =Bib.=: Franchere, Voyage to the

North-West Coast of America; Irving, Astoria; Bryce, Hudson's Bay

Company.



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