Morning Star l (missionary Brig)

[john sefton]

The little company of missionaries were working amongst the people of Micronesia. The report which was brought back to Honolulu very much interested the Hawaiian Christians in the undertaking. After a few years, they enlarged their contributions to the Hawaiian Missionary Society and determined to send two more native missionaries to Micronesia.
But these Micronesian Islands were a great way off. A year often passed, and sometimes two, without the visit of any vessel. This that did stop were nearly all whale ships, and the captains would seldom be persuaded to go out of their course either to carry missionaries or to get the supplies to the mission. It was concluded by the Board that a little vessel must be provided for the purpose and send out for the use of the Micronesian missions. And this was why the Morning Star was built.
The American Board then must look somewhere for the means to build the missionary vessel. In England, they had built the mission ship John Williams using money raised by the children. It was wondered why could not other children build the ship. It was estimated that the vessel would cost about twelve thousand dollars. This amount, was divided into one hundred and twenty thousand shares of ten cents each, so that a great many children could have the pleasure of being part owners in the concern. Each one was given a certificate of stock when the money was paid.
And what was the ship to be called? It was going to bring the life of salvation to the islands in the west, rising upon them like a beautiful star. It was therefore called the Morning Star.
The money came from all directions, children from California, Oregon, and all the states of the Union sent their funds to the Board; some of their abundance, others from the depths of poverty and wants, but none willing to be left out. Contributions were not confined to America but came also from Turkey, Syria, China and Hawaii. The contributions to the Morning Star came into the treasury in such abundance, that notice was given that no more was needed but still the money came until it amounted to a full thirty thousand dollars. All that was not required to building the vessel was put aside for sailing it and for repairs.
The Morning Star was built in about twelve weeks and from the laying of the keel she was ready to be launched. She was of one hundred and fifty tons of burden, and her form was one of great beauty. When the day of the launching came, three or four thousand men, women, and children were assembled to see the vessel glide into the water. Every face was full of smiles and everybody was happy.
Before she sailed on her long journey, the Morning Star was furnished with everything convenient as well as necessary. She was fitted with a spare set of sails and a spare set of spars and ropes.
When the Morning Star was about to sail, there was another gathering at India Wharf, Boston, where she lay. This was on the first day of December 1856 at 10.00 a.m. The passengers and crew were all on board. The name of the Captain was Samuel G. Moore, and the crew consisted of two mates, a steward and six seamen. They were to carry out as passengers Reverend Hiram Bingham Jr. and his wife, destined to Micronesia as missionaries. Mr. Bingham was the son of the Reverend Hiram Bingham who was one of the first missionaries who went to the Sandwich Islands thirty seven years before. Another passenger was Mrs. Jackson, wife of the Postmaster at Honolulu. Prayers were offered by Reverend Mr. Bingham Sen. He had seen many great things and could pray that his son may see greater things than these. Then the last two verses of the missionary hymn were sung and the congregation departed.
On the 1st December 1856 the Morning Star sailed out of Boston Harbour; but, not long after, a dreadful storm came upon the Morning Star forcing the Captain to anchor under the lee of Cape Cod where the ship and the passengers remained for three days. Afterwards a steamer from Boston came to their assistance and towed the Morning Star around Cape Horn. On the 24th February 1856, the Morning Star passed Cape Horn and headed for the Sandwich Island.
On the 20th April 1857, they had the first view of the snow-capped mountains of Hawaii more than 100 miles away. The Morning Star passed Hawaii on the left and the next morning had Maui and Molokai in full view. Not long after they had been in Honolulu they were presented with a new flag for the Morning Star which was hoisted to the mast-head by Captain Moore.
The Morning Star was first sent to the Marquesas Islands to take provisions to the Hawaiian missionaries who were living there. By August 7th, the Morning Star was ready to start for Micronesia. On the way, the ship touched twice at Kauai, one of the Hawaiian islands and held meetings there. After the ship had been fourteen days without sight of land, the passengers and crew were looking forward to catching a first glimpse of Micronesia. It was Reverend Bingham who was the first one to shout "Land Ho!" and instantly the word was taken up by almost everyone on board. Two days later, they passed near Mentchikoff Island and they could see the men, women and children upon the beach. It was not long before several of them pushed off in a proa to visit us. Bingham observed them to be strange looking men with the strangest thing about them being the pair of earings that they wore.
One of the men who came off to us, asked for a knife and tobacco, the latter of which the Morning Star had not for sale. He offered in return mother of pearl fish hooks, and neatly finished a few coconuts and several broken sea shells. Although it was only 350 miles from Mentchikoff Island to Kusaie, we were ten days in making the passage owing to calm weather and adverse head winds. On the 8th September, the Morning Star dropped anchor in one of the beautiful harbours of Kusaie. On a lovely islet, which the missionaries called "Dove Island," stood the cottage of Mr. Snow; and not far off were the houses of Dr. Pierson and Kanoa. Taking Mr. Snow and Dr. Pierson with their families, we set sail for Ponape on September 15th to visit the missionaries there, and to hold a meeting of the Micronesian mission to decide what new stations to be occupied, and what men should commence them.
On 23rd September, the Morning Star entered the Metalanim Harbour on the east side of Ponape. At Shalong, near this harbour was the home of Dr. Gulick. Missionary life on Ponape had always been one of much hardship. While the Morning Star lay in the harbour a meeting was held on board her for the sake of giving the missionary at Shalong a public opportunity to testify their joy, and also to impress on the natives the nature of the work which they were doing. From Metalanim Harbour, the Morning Star proceeded to Mr. Doane's station, in the Jokoij tribe, on the northwest side of the island to take on board his goods. From this station, they proceeded to Ron Kiti, the residence of Mr. Sturgess.
It had been decided to commence new stations on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. Although there were some 5,000 people on Ponape, even after the terrible ravages made by small-pox, it was thought best to send Dr. Pierson and Mr. Doane to the Marshall Islands, and also Kanoa and myself to the Gilbert Islands. On the 15th October, the Morning Star set sail and entered the Metalanim Harbour to take on board Mrs. Gulick (with three children), who was going to the Sandwich Island for her health.
The Morning Star touched at Wellington and McAskill Islands, and then at Kusaie to return Mr. and Mrs. Snow to their home. Though the Morning Star sailed from Kusaie for the Gilbert Islands, she was compelled by the winds to pass near Ebon. It was on 13th November that Reverend Bingham climbed almost to the top of the mast, and caught first sight of what proved to be for so many years, their island home. It was Apaiang (Abaiang) a low coral reef some 50 miles in circumference and enclosing a great lagoon. On the 17th November, the Morning Star entered the lagoon and came to anchor near Koinawa, the King's village on the eastern side.
The next morning, the King, at our request came on board and learning something of our wishes from the Gilbert Islanders with us made arrangements for some land to be made available for our station. Accordingly in the afternoon, a party consisting of Captain Randall, Mr. Doane, Dr Pierson, Mr. Bingham, Kanoa, Noa, and Kaiia, the chief went ashore to find a suitable place for the mission premises.
On the 2nd December, 1857, just one year from the day of our departure from Boston, the Morning Star was ready to make her departure from Abaiang. As soon as we were left upon Abaiang, we began to learn the language which we were to use; but, as none of the people spoke English, it was slow work.
THERE IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION ON THIS VESSEL ON THE WEBSITE BELOW.

http://www.janeresture.com/morningstar/index.html

Marshall Islands SG58/61 352 492 671

[aukepalmhof]

She was built as a hermaphrodite brig on the yard of Jothan Stetson in Chelsea, Mass. for the America Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
12 November 1856 launched as the MORNING STAR (I).
Tonnage 156 tons, dim?
Building cost USA$18,351.

The money to pay for the vessel was contributed by the Protestant Sundayschool children across the United States. Each contributor received a stock certificate for each 10c contributed. Thousands of young shareholders travelled to Chelsea to see “their” ship launched.
02 December 1856 she sailed from Boston under command of Captain Samuel G. Moore, rounded Cape Horn on 24 February 1857 and arrived at Honolulu on 24 April 1857.
Hawaiian Sundayschool children greeted the ship to present a flag of white bunting having a star in the centre with “Morning” below, and a dove in the upper right hand corner. She departed Honolulu on 07 August.

The first Christian service in the Marshall Islands was held on 09 November 1857 at Ebon Atoll. The Chieftain of the atoll, Kaibuke, ordered the natives to pull MORNING STAR through the narrow channel through the reef (as seen on the 44c), and she was the first ship to anchor in Ebon Lagoon, which became her base of operations. She made yearly trips of over 10,000 miles until worn out and sold in Honolulu on 12 December 1865.

After a brief period in the Hawaii coastal trade was she sold, refitted and sent to China under the name HARRIET NEWELL.
Fate unknown.

Marshall Islands 1985 14/44c sg58/61, scott82/85. 1990 25c sg352, scott384. 1992 29c, sg492, scott448, 32c, sg671, scott605c

(The Malawi stamp stamp shown above is the American whaler MORNING STAR, cleary you can see the two whaleboats on the starboard side, also she has three masts, while the MORNING STAR has only two.) http://www.shipstamps.co.uk/forum/viewt ... allery]/1/

Source: Intergovernmental Philatelic Corp. Watercraft Philately 1987 page 68. Schooners from Windward by Mifflin Thomas.

[Arturo]

Morning Star I

Marshall Islands 1990, S.G.?, Scott: 384.