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Mistakes made by many Taylors!
The naming of Taylor’s Mistake has and will continue to intrigue historians. Unbelievably, three POIs ( ie Persons of Interest) by the name Taylor passed through Vincent’s Bay, as it was known during the early 1850’s, in the small space of 9 years. The mishaps from mistakes made were not recognising one bay from another.
The name of Vincent’s Bay came from Captain John Vincent who wrecked his schooner there before the arrival of the First Four Ships.
As the name Taylor’s Mistake first appeared in 1853, it makes sense to go along with the story of First Commander Taylor and a barque named Gwalior.
This sheep-filled ship from New South Wales was destined for Lyttelton but dropped anchor in Vincent’s Bay, or so speculated, in April 1853. With it came the tale of Gwalior’s Captain Davidson.
Suffering from Delirium Tremens (due to sudden alcohol withdrawal), he had been locked in chains for 17 days solid due to his frightful behaviour. When sober, Captain Davidson was reported as being a fine seaman but when drunk, a terror. Not sure how he got out from his irons, but just a few miles from Auckland, the crazed Captain threw himself overboard. No trace of him was ever found.
If interested this story, not relevant to the puzzle, is reported in The Lyttelton Times, April 1853
Papers Past
