That Norway trip confuses me.
There is a record of the Hero (of Melbourne) sailing from Auckland to Sydney, 26 May 1869, with a Richard Lewis, 2nd cook aboard. I think this is more likely him.
In 1868, there is several voyages for a Richard Lewis, b England, the right age, and 2nd cook, sailing on the ship City of Hobart (of Hobart Town).
As to the letters, perhaps he had a change of heart, and because he stopped writing, they assumed he died. While saving up to buy passage home, perhaps he met someone. Or it's just a mangled version of family lore that changed over time. Without seeing the actual letters, it's all assumption.
