Bold Northwestman. LADY WASHINGTON at Ninstints.
1791

Watercolor 18" x 29"


The first sea shanty composed about the Pacific Northwest was inspired by an incident at Anthony Island involving Captain Kendrick and Chief Koyeh. In 1789, while the LADY WASHINGTON was anchored off the village of Ninstints, the natives allowed on board engaged in some minor pilfering. Hostilities erupted when Kendrick discovered that among the items missing were some of his own laundry. The two chiefs, Koyah and Skulkinanse were seized and held hostage until his clothes and the other goods were returned. Kendrick, unsatisfied with just the return of his clothes, determined to teach the natives a lesson. Captain Gray, who visited the village at a later date, was given the following account by the natives. He “took Coyah, tied a rope around his neck, whipped him, painted his face, cut off his hair, took away from him a great many skins, and then turned him ashore. Coyah was now no longer a chief, but an ‘Ahliko’, or one of the lower class. They now have no head chief, but many inferior chiefs.’ (Howay 1941: 200)

In June 1791, Captain Kendrick returned to Ninstints. The LADY WASHINGTON had been re-rigged as a brigantine, but she was recognized by Koyah who was still smoldering with revenge from his earlier humiliation. Kendrick, who had likely been drinking, but was certainly careless, allowed far too many natives on board. Koyah seized the keys to the arms chest, which was on deck and forced the outnumbered crew below. “The vessel was immediately thronged with natives, a woman standing in the main rigging urging them on. The officers and people all retired below, having no arms but what was in possession of the natives, save the officers’ private ones. Captain Kendrick tarried on deck endeavoring to pacify the natives and bring them to some terms, at the same time edging towards the companion way to secure his retreat to the cabbin, a fellow all the time holding a huge marling spike he had stolen, fixed into a stick, over his head, ready to strike the deadly blow whenever orders should be given. The other natives with their daggers grasped and only waiting for the word to be given to begin a most savage massacre. Just as Captain Kendrick had reached the companion way Coyah jumpt down and he immediately jumpt on top of him. Coyah them made a pass at him with his dagger, but it luckily only went through his jacket and scratched [him]. The officers by this time had their arms in readiness and would have ventured on deck with them before but for fear of killing their captain. Captain Kendrick now fired a musket from the cabbin, then took a pair of pistols and another musket and went on deck, being followed by his officers with the remainder of the arms they had collected. The natives on seeing this made a precipitate retreat, all but the woman before mentioned in the chains who there continued urging them to action with the greatest ardour until the last moment though her arm had been previously cut off by one of the people with a hanger and she was otherwise much wounded. When she quitted all the natives had left the vessel and she jumped over board and attempted to swim off but she was afterwards shot. Though the natives had taken the keys of the arm chests yet they did not happen to be lockt. They were therefore immediately opened and a constant fire was kept up as long as they could reach the natives with the cannon or small arms. After which they chased them in their armed boats, making the most dreadful havock by killing all they came across.” (Howay 1925: 293)

Sea Shanty - Bold Northwestman

Come all ye bold Northwestmen who plough the raging main,
Come listen to my story, while I relate the same;
‘Twas of the Lady Washington decoyed as she lay,
At Queen Charlotte’s Island, in North America
On the sixteenth day of June, boys, in the year Ninety-One,
The natives in great numbers on board our ship did come,
Then for to buy our fur of them our captain did begin,
But mark what they attempted before long time had been.

Abaft upon our quarter deck two arm chests did stand,
And in them there was left the keys by the gunner’s careless hand;
When quickly they procuring of them did make a prize,
Thinking we had no other arms for to defend our lives.

Our captain spoke unto them and unto them did say,
If you’ll return me back those keys I for the same will pay;
No sooner had he spoken these words than they drew forth their knives,
Saying the vessels ours sir, and we will have your lives.

Our captain then perceiving the ship was in their power,
He spoke unto his people, likewise his officers,
Go down into the cabin and there some arms prepare,
See that they are well loaded, be sure and don’t miss fire.

Then with what few fire arms we had we rush’d on deck amain,
And by our being resolute, our quarter deck we gain’d;
Soon as we gain’d our arm chest such slaughter then made we,
That in less than ten minutes our ship of them was free.

Then we threw overboard the dead that on our deck there lay;
And found we had nobody hurt, to work we went straightway;
The number kill’d upon our deck that day was sixty good,
And full as many wounded as soon we understood.

‘Twas early the next morning at the hour of break of day,
We sail’d along abreast the town which we came to straightway;
We call’d on hands to quarters and at the town did play,
We made them to return what things they’d stolen that day.

I’d have you all take warning and always ready be,
For to suppress those savages of Northwest America;
For they are so desirous some vessel for to gain,
That they will never leave it off, till most of them are slain.

And now unto old China we’re fastly rolling on,
Where we shall drink good punch for which we’ve suffered long;
And when the sixteenth day of June around does yearly come,
We’ll drink in commemoration what on that day was done...

(Howay 1929: 115-17)