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Logbook for JOHN WILLIAMS III from London to Sydney

Date1868 - 1871

Object number00029971

NameLogbook

MediumInk on paper, cardboard, marbled paper, vellum

DimensionsOverall: 324 x 210 x 35 mm, 1.6 kg

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA log book by Captain James Fowler kept on the 'Bark JOHN WILLIAMS from London to Sydney 1868'. The first entry is dated Thursday 12 November and the final entry dated Friday 21 July, 1871. HistoryCaptain Fowler went to the Pacific in 1868 as captain of the London Missionary Society vessel JOHN WILLIAMS III. He was dismissed in 1871 because of his treatment of the islanders. The logbook begins on 12 November 1868 when Captain Fowler left London. It continues to 25 February 1869 when the JOHN WILLIAMS III passed Jervis Bay, NSW. It resumes on 30 March 1869 when the JOHN WILLIAMS III left Sydney for a cruise to the Pacific Islands, which extended to Tahiti, back to the New Hebrides and then to Raiatea before returning to Sydney on 31 December 1869. The cruise took in Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine, Tahiti, Mangaia, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Niue, Pago Pago, Apia, Aneityum, Mare, Lifu, Uvea, Tubuai and Savai'i. The logbook resumes again on 4 April 1870 when the JOHN WILLIAMS III was at Huahine. Subsequent calls were made at Raiatea, Tahiti, Mangaia, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, Mitiaro, Mauke, Atiu, Tutuila, Niue, the Tokelau, Ellice and Gilbert Islands, the southern New Hebrides and the Loyalty Islands. The JOHN WILLIAMS III returned to Sydney on 20 December 1870. Captain Fowler returned to England in 1871 in the ship BUCKLEY CASTLE.SignificanceThe London Missionary Society was a crucial influence in exploration of the Pacific and its opening - up to Western influences such as religion. The Society's ships were all the JOHN WILLIAMS, named after its first missionary who was murdered.