Inside the book of the Journal of William Lockerby, the second last chapter, is an extract from a manuscript journal of the London Missionary Society.
The chapter is titled: “Journal of the missionaries, put ashore from the Hibernia on an islet in the Fiji group in 1809-10.”
This set of records were the experiences of the writer himself, Brother John Davies and his Tahitian missionary colleagues.
The chapter stated that when they had quit their station, they got stranded on a Fijian islet off the coast of Vanua Levu.
This was towards the end of the sandalwood boom, and could have been the very same islet that William Lockerby had ‘assembled his wood’ a few months prior.
Named originally as the Missionary Society in 1796, the name changed in 1818 to London Missionary Society and sent missionaries to Tahiti, Marquesas and Tongatapu.
“For a time, the missionaries worked with success among the Tahitians. But by 1808 the unconverted natives had revolted,” the chapter read.
“On the 17th of October 1809, the brig Hibernia Captain William Campbell, came into harbour, in company with the Port Jackson schooner Venus Captain Burbank, which Campbell had just succeeded in re-capturing from the revolted natives, “The missionaries were almost unanimously glad to take passage in her, originally intending to tranship at the Fiji Islands into a ship bound for Port Jackson the Hibernia intending to sail thence straight to Canton.”
“The object of the call of the Hibernia at the Feejees was to pick up a cargo of sandalwood for the Chinese market,” the entry stated.
The captain of the ship decided to take a new route to the Sandalwood Island (referring to Fiji) along the north-eastern coast and in the end faced difficulty in the ‘maze of islands and reefs.’
The ship got damaged and had to be laid up for repairs at an islet off the Macuata coast from November 20 to January 9 (1809).
“The missionaries, or most of them, took refuge in a hut which they built for themselves on the islet, and were thus the first of their profession to set foot on any Fijian island though it has been commonly supposed that no missionaries got there till as late as 1835.”
It was written by the missionaries, especially on the accounts of the manuscript journal of Brother John Davies that while they searched for a place to land, they came across natives from Tongatapu. They bartered some yams for beads and said they would return with fish in the morning.
“They represented it as most dangerous to proceed, not knowing what to do nor whether we could put any confidence in their reports, we returned to the N.E. where we had passed a small uninhabited island,” Davies wrote.
“Here we found anchorage, and resolved to anchor as near the shore as we could.
“Continued at anchor off the little island; saw the two canoes that had gone fishing yesterday, but, instead of performing their promise of coming to us, they went over to another island, from whence apparently they had come.”
The journal read that the captain and some of the brethren went ashore to fetch leaves for the goats on board and found no grass but a variety of leaves and branches.
“We therefore continued at anchor. Were visited by some canoes, and in them were some of our former visitors, but most of the people were Fejeans.
“They sold us some cocoanuts, taro, and plantains, for beads.
“We detained one Tongatabu man to be our pilot, much against his will. Sent boats to examine the reefs around us in order to find a passage out, that we might, if possible, proceed to Sandal Wood Bay(in Bua) to repair the vessel which was making much water.”
While they examined the reefs, two canoes approached them and they got two Fijians as guides while they dismissed the Tonga man with a present.
“As the canoes were returning, the Fejeans on board attempted to go away also, tho they had promised to conduct us to Matuata (Macuata), where they said the sandalwood is to be found, but they were watched so that they did not get away, and we made sail directly as there was a fine breeze.
“About 3 pm we approached a point of land which forms the northeastern extremity of a very large island called Takaunove, or Sandalwood Island.”
After passing through a small opening in the reef, they anchored near a small island which seemed to be barren.
“We saw a few canoes, but none of them came to us till we had cast anchor. Then two small ones approached with some degree of hesitation, having nothing on board but a few coconuts.”
When they saw a great number of canoes coming in their direction they assumed that they had been betrayed and were led to this dangerous place as part of the plan by the Tongan and Fijian men.
“However, we providentially found an opening out to sea and got clear once more both of reef, and canoes.”
After a day passed, they sent boats to examine the passage ahead and sailed again for Matuata and anchored off a small island. “This is where several English and Americans had been formerly preparing their sandal wood.
“It is called Brown’s Island (Kia) from an American of that name who resided on it while preparing a cargo for one of his country vessels.
“The chief was made acquainted with our intention and said as the island was his we might reside there if we pleased. Several of the brethren went ashore to prepare a hut for our residence.
“Since we came ashore, we have enjoyed our social and family worship without interruption, which we did not, nor could do, on board the ship.
“Began the day in our usual manner with a prayer meeting; met again in the forenoon, and Br. Davies engaged, read a sermon of Dr Martin’s on Heb (Hebrew) 13. 5.”
While they stayed there, they engaged with the natives for taro, coconuts and other food but it was described that the dealing with them was very difficult. They also came across an American Vessel, ‘Hope’ which had been at another part of the Sandalwood Ba.
“They also now embrace every opportunity to steal from us. They have great curiosity to see our women.
“They have several times offered to buy them for a quantity of sandal wood or else exchange them for some of their own. These things make it necessary to keep them at as much distance as circumstances will allow.
“It is reported that the Fejeans have formed a plan of coming upon us in the night not for the purpose of killing us but seizing the women and property.
“The American Capt hearing of this humanely offered to do anything in his power for us, and said his ship and guns were at our service.”
On December 30, 1809, the American carpenter from the vessel Hope finished his work on the Hibernia and was supposedly ready for sail.
“In the morning Br. Eyre engaged and read one of the village sermons. In the afternoon read another. Thus, are we brought to the close of another year, a year in which we experienced many trials and difficulties and many mercies and deliverances.
On January 23, 1810 while sailing at a rate of six miles an hour, they left Fiji Islands. Note that this may have been one of the first recorded interaction between native Fijians and missionaries who were stranded here by default.
History being the subject it is, a group’s version of events may not be the same as that held by another group. When publishing one account, it is not our intention to cause division or to disrespect other oral traditions. Those with a different version can contact us so we can publish your account of history too — Editor.
