Coconut oil and later copra have been almost the sole export from the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati), first the whalers, mostly American which made a call on the islands for fresh water and provision, barter tobacco and alcohol for the coconut oil, then the traders took over like Capt. Trainer of the BELLE, before resident traders of the Gilbert Islands founded a trading post.
Two of this traders Richard Randell and George Durant set up a trading establishment in Butaritari, they were European, but it is unknown on which vessel she arrived.
Randell was an Englishman the son of a carpenter and born in London in 1816, he immigrated to Australia in 1840. Of Durant not much is know. Randell landed in March 1846 at Butaritari.
By a local historian is given:
From a visiting vessel a man whom the people called Koa Koa, and who informed them that he came from Parramatta was left ashore at the small island of Tikurere in the Butaritari lagoon and here opened a trading store.
For copra he trade such things like as rifles and ammunition, food, cannons, whisky, gin and rum. There was thereafter, much drunkenness and fighting and many people were killed. The cannons some of which were quit big were used for making noise and frightening people.
Butaritari was the best place for a trading post, the people were nice and there was a stable Government, also the lagoon mostly used by ocean going vessel was there.
The first years the trade modest developed, but after Randell gained the confidence of the High Chief Te Itimaroroa the trade increased, and a need arouse for a direct service between Butaritari and Australia.
Randall set sail as passenger on board of the BELLE under command of Capt. Handy for Sydney early 1850, on board was a part cargo of coconut oil belonging to Randall. Arrived 31 March 1850 at Sydney.
In Sydney Randall came in contact with Charles Smith who was connected to the shipping world in Sydney, and entered into partnership with him. The financial details of the partnership are not known, it looks much more or less that Smith provided the shipping and bought the trade goods, sold the oil, while Randall retained entire control over the Gilbert Island business.
Two schooners the CHIEFTAN of 77 tons and the SUPPLY of 127 tons were immediately assigned to the Gilbert trade.
Randall returned to Butaritari in August 1851 on board of the CHIEFTAN, and Smith on board of the SUPPLY followed a few months later.
The SUPPLY depict on the Kiribati stamp with the year 1851 must be this vessel.
The SUPPLY a two-mast schooner was built in 1832 at Shoreham Sussex , owners unknown but she arrived in Sydney as Liverpool owned.
Tonnage 123 ton, dim. 84.8 x 20.5 x 10.2ft.
1851 Bought in Sydney by J.H.Challis and Charles Smith for £750.
Smith commanded the vessel when she sailed to the Gilbert Islands on her first voyage, on board was as chief mate Hugh Fairclough. Who became later one of the partners of the firm. She visited Abemama, Maiana and Tarawa before dropping anchor at Butaritari, Smith handed command of the SUPPLY their over to Capt. Robert Strachan the captain of the CHIEFTAN, and Smith sailed back to Australia on board the CHIEFTAN.
December 1852 Smith was the only owner of the SUPPLY.
December 1853 the owner was given as Andrew Fenwick and in January 1854 she was sold to Benjamin F. Chapman at Sydney.
The SUPPLY was used for a long time in the service between Australia and the Gilbert Islands but then she disappeared in the history.
Her register at Sydney was closed in 1868 with the remark ‘not heard of for years’.
(The PHANTOM of which I did give sometime ago the history and details, and not for 100 sure that she was depict, is the vessel depict on the stamp of 30c issued in 1989 by Kiribati, for a time she was owned by Charles Smith, and this article mentioned her that she was used in the trade between Australia and the Gilbert Islands.)
Kiribati 1990 60c sg 345, scott 559.
Sources: The coconut oil trade on the Gilbert Islands by H.E.Maude and Ida Leeson and published in the Polynesian Society Journal of 1965. Australian Shipowner and their fleets, Sydney during the 1850s by Ronald Parsons.