Story: Sealing

Slate messages (2nd of 2)

Slate messages

Another remarkable object from sealing days is this piece of slate. It was found among seal remains in Grono’s Cave near Preservation Inlet (Rakituma), Fiordland. The first message, from 1823, reads ‘Lono …. Richard Jones Esq owner John Dawson master beware of the natives plenty at Preservation.’ The writer of this warning was one of the sealers aboard the Samuel, owned by Richard Jones and captained by John Dawson. The second message reads: ‘Brig Elizabeth John Grono mas… called at this place the 23rd December … Brooks Edward Norton.’ Alexander Brooks and Edward Norton were crew on John Grono’s sealer the Elizabeth in 1824. Grono was a prominent sealer in the 1820s.

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Southland Museum and Art Gallery
Reference: 83.1125

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Sealing - The sealers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/6231/slate-messages (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006