Amos Burr
Quiet bravery in the face of overwhelming odds.

On January 22nd 1840 startled birds rose into the sky as a loud explosion echoed around the heavily wooded hills of Port Nicholson. The explosion was a report from a ships cannon and was to change, forever, the life of 17 year old Amos Burr a Cadet aboard the New Zealand Company's survey ship Cuba.

It had been Amos' job to prime the cannon and fire a salute celebrating the completion of land purchases by the New Zealand Company. The cannon refused to fire and, while Amos attempted to draw the charge and reload, the gun discharged. Amos was blown into the water losing both forearms. One was blown away completely and the other was almost entirely severed. According to his own testimony, Amos floated on his back until he was rescued by a man in a boat. One wonders at the pain that he was no doubt in or if his obvious state of shock acted, at least for the time being, as a natural anaesthetic.

Amos was taken back on board the Cuba and treated by the ships surgeon W. G. Haddy. There would have been a need to remove the almost severed arm (how, it doesn't bear imagining) and to stem the flow of arterial blood. In those days such serious wounds were covered with tar to staunch the flow of arterial blood. Tradition says that the cook saved Amos life by covering the stumps of his arms with salt (acting, no-doubt, as an antiseptic).

The Cuba had arrived at Port Nicholson on January 3rd 1840 after a rather protracted voyage of 157 days from London. Cuba was known as the New Zealand Company's survey ship and most of those on board were qualified surveyors under the command of Captain William Mein Smith, Surveyor General (Royal Artillery). It was the intention of the Company, once land had been purchased, to survey it for the creation of the new settlement. It would, therefore, have been a matter of celebration for those on board Cuba to learn that these transactions had been completed (January 22nd 1840) so soon after their arrival.

Amos was taken ashore and kept for some time at the New Zealand Company's Infirmary near the Petone foreshore. It seems that by late February 1841 Amos was out of the Company's Hospital and was afterwards supported at the Company's cost. A letter sent by William Wakefield to the New Zealand Company's Head Office in London states...
"The boy wished to stay here (in New Zealand, the Cuba departing for Valparaiso on February 26th 1841) and I have allowed him ten shillings a week with occasional clothes, but shall wish to be instructed how far this is to be continued. The expense already incurred in this matter amounts to �37-10s-10p. The boy is, I am told, entitled to �18 per annum from the funds of the Merchant Seaman's Society. Perhaps an arrangement with Mr Somes can be made for remitting the amount to him here, then he will be able to support himself".

Ordinary Seaman Amos Burr, was discharged as crew on February 10th 1840. This was not a mean spirited decision on behalf of the New Zealand Company, but one of simple expediency. Such a severely disabled man could never be expected to fulfil the duties of a sailor in those rip-roaring days of sail. It has also been mentioned that the Company was prepared to do its best for Amos and that he would not go without. Indeed, it was from here on that Amos showed what astounding courage he had. At the age of 18 he was willing to remain in this new land 12,000 miles from the home he knew where most settlers came to make a living with their strength, their sweat and their hands. Who amongst us would surely have folded their tents and gone back home to a life of care and quietude?

Amos had strap-on wooden forearms fitted to his stumps with steel hooks, a knife, fork and spoon attachment along with other implements which screwed into the stumps. He became so skilled with these implements that there were few things which a wholebodied man could do that were beyond him.

Living in Wellington, Horowhenua, Manawatu and again, before he died, in Wellington Amos had a long, full and fruitful life. On October 10th 1855 he married Lydia Harris Hoskins who had arrived at Nelson on July 11th 1850 aboard the ship Poictiers. Together, Amos & Lydia had 12 children, one of whom was stillborn. Living a quiet but busy life where he never sought the limelight for any reason (he would not even consent to having his picture taken) Amos died at the age of 84 years, dying on May 19th 1906.

Had we all such courage, determination and fortitude?

Copyright Denise & Peter 1999 - 2003

For those wishing to know more of Amos story we would like to refer you to the book "Glimpses Into Early Manawatu - The Saga of Amos and Lydia Burr" by Vera L McLennan- Boman