The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-02-12
Crui.. of he Ln,e "Morning STAR"


On the afternoon of July 9Th. 1869. the Morning
Star, Capt. Tengstrom, left Honolulu on her third
missionary voyage to Micronesia, having on board
the largest number of missionaries ever sent out. at
one time, by the Hawaiian Board. Eighteen days
out, on the 26th of July, land was seen, which
proved to be Nukunau, or Byron's Island. the most
eastern of the Gilbert or Kingsmill group, and the
next day, July 9th, anchored at Tapiteuea. or
Drummond's Island. We spent 81 days in visiting
the different islands of the Gilbert group. Having
finished our work upon these islands we left Tarawa
for the Marshall Islands, on the I'd day of Septem-
Der. and anchored at Ebon on the 9th, ~sixty-two
days from Honolulu. During this time we had light
winds and strong currents. Spending two days at
Ebon, we left for the Caroline group on the 10th of
September. Touching the next day at Namaric, one
of the Marshall Islands, We made Strong's Island on
the 10Th, leaving the vessel with MIR. Snow and the
captain, we spent a part of a day there. Leaving
/ MI. Snow at Strong's Island we proceeded on our
voyage to Bonabe or Ascension Island, winds still
light. On the 9Th, passed McAskills Island, and
the next day Wellington's, arriving on the both, at
Bonabe. On account of light and variable winds,
found some difficulty in entering the harbor of Haru,
on the east side of the island. A t 4 p. NJ. anchored
in So fathoms of water, seventy-fve days after leav-
ing Honolulu. Thus far our passage has been pros
porous. no accident has happened, and we have
accomplished all that we expected to do when we left
in Honolulu.
Our work at Bonabe being finished, and all the
passengers on board, the starboard anchor was
taken up. The port anchor was found to be foul.
In trying to loosen it the lever of the windlass was
broken, and soon after the box of the windlass. The
next day the chain of the anchor was cut, and We
sailed up the lagoon to o Bay, where we anchored
with the kedge. Oct. 1st, succeeded in getting out
to sea, and were on our way back to S trong's Island,
which we sighted on the 9Th. The next morning the
passengers went on shore with the captain. A few
hours after the captain returned to the vessel, and
proceeded around to the South Harbor to take in
wood, sc.
Oct. 10th, we were all on board ready for our de-
parture, but were not able to get out of the harbor,
and the captain concluding to remain till the 18th,
when preparations were made for taking up the anchor
and getting out to sea. After much difficulty this
was accomplished. About 3 O'Clock P. NJ, we found
ourselves sailing pleasantly along the south coast of
Strong's Island with no foreboding of what was soon
to befall us. More cheerful than usual at 7 O'Clock,
as was our custom, We gathered together for evening
prayers. "Homeward Bound" was sung. The vessel
was at least three miles from the shore at that time,
a light wind blowing from land, the I'd mate having
The watch. During the time u strong current and a
swell setting inland had carried the vessel toward
the shore. The captain coming up from the cabin
found her much closer to the land than he expected.
He Immediately gave orders to man the two boats
and tow the vessel, which was done, but without
avail, as the current was evidently bearing us to-
ward the rocks. An anchor was let 90, there being
twenty fathoms of water under her stern.
A squall was coming up from the east with every
appearance of blowing along the shore, which, if it
did, there was no salvation for us. On account Of
the length of the chain the vessel still moved towards
the land, and the water under the stern was found
to be from 3 to Z fathoms. Soon the squall was
upon us. The captain hoping to run out, had the
anchor chain cut and the sails set for this purpose.
For n moment the vessel seemed to move forward.
Not having sufficient Roadway however, she soon be-
gan to recede. She was in the breakers-soon struck
was gone. This was between 10 and II o'clock
P. NJ. At quarter past II O'Clock, We took to the
boat. There were in il the Rev. A. A.. Sturges, wife
and daughter, Rev. b. G. Snow, Rev. j. F. Pogue, q
woman from Ebon with her child, q man from the
same place with q child, and five men to row the
boat. When the vessel struck she was about three
miles from the South Harbor which We had left that
day. To that place we returned, arriving there
about quarter after l O'Clock A. NJ. of the 10Th.
From the time that the squall came up it was a fear
fui night, with thunder, hghtnlng and rain. When
we arrived at the South Harbor we were drenched
through and through, SOM of us not having Il
change to put on. The kind natives kindled a fire,
and did all they could to dry our clothes, and make
us comfortable.
The captain being afraid, when we were in the
boat, that the mast of the brig might fall, ordered
the boat away, saying our things on board would be
safe till morning. Just after we left. however, a
heavy sea swept over the vessel, entering the cabin,
tearing away the partitions of the state rooms, scat
tered to the waves all that was in them, so that we
lost almost everything. Thus the Morning Star
has set in gloom on the south side of Strong's Island.
How short her race Our plans deranged, and we,
II ship-wrecked company, on this beautiful island,
yet among a Christian people who have done. and
are doing all that they can to make our stay among
them pleasant. This wreck has demonstrated the
power of the gospel in making a people honest and
trustworthy. Had we been wrecked among them
seventeen years ago, how different would have been
our reception | cannot burt admire, and wonder at
the change which has been wrought.
]. F. PoGUE.
Strong's Island, November, 1869.