Fate Of Ben Boyd

Old Paper is Reminder of Tragedy of 1851

JUST over 100 years ago that picturesque character, Mr.

Benjamin Boyd, of New South Wales, disappeared on Guadalcanal Island, in the Solomons Group.

Shipowner, merchant trader, and pastoralist, he was notable among other things for having introduced Pacific Islands labourers to NSW and for having pioneered whaling ot Twofold Bay. Boydtown, a town ship on Twofold Bay, opposite Eden, is named after him.

Boyd went to California in 1849. attracted by the gold rush but re mained only a short period. He then sailed in his own yacht for the South Seas once more, and was credited with the intention of set ting up a“South Sea republic.” He called at Guadalcanal Island during October, 1851, and is known to have landed on October 15 to go on a shooting expedition with one com panion.

His yacht, Wanderer, was at tacked by natives during his absence, but the attack was beaten off after fierce resistance by those left in the vessel. The Wanderer waited four days, but nothing was seen or heard of Boyd.

There were rumours that he had been seen alive on Guadalcanal in Mr. M. Harper, formerly of Mandoliana, Solomon Islands, and now residing in Sydney, has sent to us a page of the Sydney Morning Herald, dated October 20, 1854 which gives a lengthy report of a meeting held at the Sydney Ex change Rooms to consider the probability of Boyd being still alive, and what steps should be taken to

effect his rescue.

It appears that the cutter Oberon, under the command of Captain Truscott, had arrived in Sydney on October 15 (exactly three years after Boyd disappeared) bringing reports that Boyd was still alive on Guadalcanal. Captain Towns reported that he and four others had gone to the Governor (Sir Charles Augustus Fitz Roy) with Captain Truscott, and explained that the Oberon, fitted out at pri vate expense, was about to return to the Solomon Group in a few days and “that every exertion would be made by Captain Truscott to ascertain the fate of Mr. Boyd.” It was intended to send the Oberon to trade in the usual way while an armed steamer was sent to San Cristoval (about 60 miles from Guadalcanal), to aid the Oberon if necessary.

Sir Charles had offered HMS Torch for this service, if she re turned within the next 14 days. If not, the offer of the directors of the Australasian Steam Navigation Co. to place the steamship City of Melbourne at the disposal of the Government was to be accepted.

Captain Towns explained to the meeting that the owners of the Oberon would despatch her upon the guarantee of expenses. Mr.

Joubert, who was about to send a vessel to the islands, had given direction to the master to make for Guadalcanal direct and to remain off the island for several days, and to use any means of ascertaining the truth of the reports.

Several speakers argued that the citizens should undertake the fit ting out of a vessel without an hour’s delay. Others thought that the despatch of an armed steamer was unnecessary and that their pur poses could best be served by stratagem rather than force. (Over)

It was resolved to seek another interview with the Governor.

Subsequently, a search was made in the Central Solomons, but no trace of Boyd was ever found.