John Bond Kennedy, a Scot, first came to New Zealand in 1836 on HMS Buffalo but did not return to England on her. He set himself up at Harataunga on the northern east coast of Coromandel Peninsula, now known as Kennedy Bay. He took a Maori wife, a chieftainess, and traded with the Maories. He  built a cutter which he named the ‘Three Bees’ after a wayside Inn in his home town in Scotland. He also became a timber merchant employing both European and Maori workers to fell and square Kauri logs for masts and spars.  HMS Buffalo, under the command of James Wood, was wrecked at what is now known as Buffalo Beach, and, not suffering any blame, Wood returned the following year in command of another spar ship, HMS Tortoise.

In August, 1842, the Tortoise was moored at Nagles Cove, Great Barrier Island, and on the 30^th of August 1842, John Kennedy arrived alongside to engage in using his vessel to service the movement of men and material between the Tortoise and the camp at Tairua. Here is a part of the log of the Tortoise :-

 

   August

22 Mon 8am Employed loading the launch.

               3pm Sailed the launch for timber station with provisions.

30 Tues  11pm arrived the Three Bees schooner

September

17 Sat   pm Hauled the Three Bees on shore to examine her bottom.

19 Mon  4, Engaged with Mr. John Kennedy for the use of his schooner “Three Bees” intended to be       used to carry provisions & stores to the party in the forest, held a survey on the said vessel, &               found her to be of 12 tons measurement. 8.10 Sent schooner with provisions to the party in the         forest.

24 Sat  Sunset, arrived Three Bees  with casks, staves, & hoops from timber station, also condemned     stores.

25 Sun  6am Three Bees came alongside & discharged stores.

              12 Employed loading schooner with provisions for the party in the forest.

               2.30pm Sailed schooner for timber station

 

 Sometime in early 1843, the Tortoise returned to England. After receiving payment for his services, Kennedy sailed to either the Bay of Islands or Auckland to bank the proceeds. Somewhere along the way, the crew, consisting of three timber workers from New South Wales, murdered him and took the vessel over. They landed at Tauranga, travelled to Hokianga, then went on some unknown vessel to Sydney. They committed another murder or murders in New South Wales, where they were arrested, confessed to killing John Kennedy and were hanged. Details are sparse.