The 183 prisoners were held without trial on an old coal hulk in Waitemata Harbour before being moved to Kawau Island, north of Auckland, but in September 1864 they escaped and eventually made their way back to the Waikato.
The 183 prisoners were held without trial on an old coal hulk in Waitemata Harbour before being moved to Kawau Island, north of Auckland, while plans were made in Auckland to bring charges against them of high treason. In September 1864 the prisoners escaped from Kawau and eventually made their way back to the Waikato.