Tribal Guns and Tribal Gunners | by Trevor Bentley

Description

European sailing ships arriving in New Zealand waters during the early nineteenth century, brought with them terrifying and destructive gunpowder weapons that Māori soon termed pu repo (great guns). Sold to some 120 chiefs in the shape of muzzle loading cannon, carronades and swivel guns, 165 documented artillery pieces were acquired by the coastal and inland tribes. Set during the bloody inter-tribal Musket Wars (1818-1839) and the Anglo-Māori New Zealand Wars (1845-46 and 1860-1872), this book reveals a hitherto unknown dimension of this country’s military history. It brings to light the various way Māori acquired, mastered and deployed ships’ artillery, ceremonially in times of peace, and as instruments of destruction in offensive and defensive warfare.

Pages: 175

Published: 2013