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.