American whaler John Howland visited Port Russell, New Zealand according to the New Zealand newspaper Daily Southern Cross dated 18 May 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 departure from Russell, New Zealand on 4 May of the American whaler John Howland, barque, master Cole on whaling