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Kendrick in Hawaii
December 1793, Kendrick sailed again into the Hawaiian Islands. Though using it as a time
to rest, he continually looked for items to purchase. Lady Washington was
deep in debt, and Kendrick needed to find something that would render high profit. Unfortunately,
though his ideas were excellent, they were before their time. In the process, he sold several crucial guns -- the stern cannon (Scofield 302).
Kendrick became involved in the island politics of the time. Chief Inoino attempted to take over both Oahu
and Kauai. Kendrick agreed to help, for reasons unknown, and it is said that there was "great slaughter"
(Scofield 305). The greater chiefs were horrified, and Kendrick conveniently left for Nootka Sound.
Kendrick sailed back to Macao but there was an embargo on for furs. It was not until December of 1794 that they returned to Hawaii, entering Honolulu. Kendrick was involved in a native uprising, though
to what extent it is unknown. When a battle was victoriously achieved, Kendrick raised the Lady's colours
and fired a salute with his cannon. Two other British ships were in the harbour and fired a traditional
reply, something ships did while together in a foreign harbour quite regularly. This time, the British
fired with loaded guns. "Round and Grape Shot...peirced the side of the Lady Washington & kill'd Capt.
Kendrick" (Scofield 309) along with all the other officers and several of the crew.
In the chaos that existed after the incident, the British claimed it was an accident, and the clerk
John Howel took control of the brig and as soon as Kendrick was buried he left that sad harbour and
returned to Macao. Ironically, the captains responsible for the death of Kendrick were soon after killed
brutally by the Hawaiian natives.
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Photo by Alexa Chipman at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers Hawaiian exhibit
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