Children's Ship Of Goodwill

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14959, 23 April 1949, Page 3

Children's Ship Of Goodwill

New Mission Ship Due Next Week Sixth Mission Vessel "John Williams" (P.A.) Auckland, April 22. The London Missionary Society's new ship John Williams VI, which is cut to arrive at Auckland next Thursday, is the latest of a line of mission ships which have seen service over the past 105 years. They have all been named after the Rev. John Williams, a pioneer Pacific missionary.

These arc the ships which have gone before: — John Williams I —a barque of 296 tons launched in 1-344. She was wrecked on Danger Island 20 years later. John Williams ll—also a barque, launched in 1868. She was wrecked at Niue Island en her first voyage. John Williams lll— barque; served in the society for 26 years without accident and was sold in 1894. She disappeared on her first voyage under her new owners.

Jchn Wil Jams IV—a steamer of graceful lines which visited Auckland in 1912. She served the society tor 36 years and was sold in 1930. John Williams V—an auxiliary motor schooner which carried the name for the next 18 years. During the war she was attacked by the Japanese but escaped undamaged. The latest addition to the fleet cost the society £BO,OOO. She is 380 tons gross and'is 140 feet overall. She is on her maiden voyage and is visitingNew Zealand ports before sailing from Auckland for Apia on May 1. All- the ships named John Williams have been almost entirely maintained by the contributions of rbildren of the Congregational Sunday schools of the, British Empire me! the children «!' the Mission Churches. The ships ' is vfi alwiys been known as "the children's ship of goodwill.'' _