Francis (Frances)
A whale ship by the name of Francis made at least two calls at New Zealand’s Bay of Islands in the 1820’s. On both occasions Captain Hunt was her master and the first visit was on 29 November 1823 when the ship arrived from England.
Likely still on the same whaling voyage, Francis arrived back at the Bay in September 1824 from the fishing grounds. By now her crew was helpless with scurvy. Deprived of fruit and vegetables during voyages and therefore having no source of vitamin C, men who were inflicted with scurvy suffered from lethargy and depression caused by muscle weakness, aching joints, rashes, and bleeding gums. Victims legs were discoloured by black and blue spots on their pale skin, and severe cases resulted in immobility, hair loss, sunken eyes, and teeth falling out.
Likely still on the same whaling voyage, Francis arrived back at the Bay in September 1824 from the fishing grounds. By now her crew was helpless with scurvy. Deprived of fruit and vegetables during voyages and therefore having no source of vitamin C, men who were inflicted with scurvy suffered from lethargy and depression caused by muscle weakness, aching joints, rashes, and bleeding gums. Victims legs were discoloured by black and blue spots on their pale skin, and severe cases resulted in immobility, hair loss, sunken eyes, and teeth falling out.