Whaling barque Merlin visited Port Russell, New Zealand according to the New Zealand newspaper Daily Southern Cross dated 6 June 1874

South Sea whalers boiling blubber/boats preparing to get a whale alongside. 

A watercolour by British artist Sir Oswald Brierly. The painting dates from around 1876.

An item reported the arrival in the port of Russell, New Zealand on 15 May by the whaling barque Merlin master Thomas with 400 barrels sperm, catch of season.