The Dayspring I

The New Hebrides Mission Supply Vessel "Dayspring I" :

We are actively searching any original photos or images of the New Hebrides Mission vessel "Dayspring I". We would appreciate hearing from anyone with information on how we can obtain a copy of any extant photograph or image. The following images are of, or are believed to relate to, the "Dayspring I" :

This image is a reproduction of a large watercolour of the 'Dayspring I" under sail by Mrs Margaret Whitcross Paton, wife of the early Australian Missionary to the New Hebrides, the Rev John G. Paton. The original watercolour is owned by the Archives Research Centre of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Dayspring I
This grainy image, taken around 1899, is believed to be a copy of the only known photograph of the "Dayspring I". This photograph belonged to Canadian Missionary Dr Joseph Annand, Principal of the Tangoa Training Institute for training native Teachers in the New Hebrides. We know that a watercolour or painting of the "Dayspring I" was also in his possession at this time.

"Dayspring I" Ships Name Board
This also rather grainy image, taken in 1968, shows the Principal of the Tangoa Training Institute, the Rev. D. M. Steedman, together with his wife and daughter (Fiona) holding a carved wooden name board inscribed “Dayspring” and strongly believed to be from the original "Dayspring I". As the original vessel broke up on a reef in a storm, it is quite possible that this piece of the vessel was found and recovered. Since 1986, the name board has been stored at the Talua Ministry Training Centre at Luganville on Santo Island. We have endeavored to obtain a clearer photograph of this historic object and will continue to do so.

We additionally hold a clear carte-de-visite montage photo with cameo images of Captain Fraser and the crew of the "Dayspring I" taken while on a visit to the Western Ports of Australia in 1871. We are also aware (and hold copies of) a drawing of the "Dayspring I" held by the "Maritime Conference Archives" in Canada. While we hold various printed and original manuscript resources concerning the vessel, any further information would be gratefully received. Contact details can be found by clicking HERE :

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	This image is a reproduction of a large watercolour of the 'Dayspring I" under sail by Mrs Margaret Whitcross Paton, wife of the early Australian Missionary to the New Hebrides, the Rev John G. Paton. The original watercolour is owned by the Archives Research Centre of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
	This grainy image, taken around 1899, is believed to be a copy of the only known photograph of the "Dayspring I". This photograph belonged to Canadian Missionary Dr Joseph Annand, Principal of the Tangoa Training Institute for training native Teachers in the New Hebrides. We know that a watercolour or painting of the "Dayspring I" was also in his possession at this time.
	This also rather grainy image, taken in 1968, shows the Principal of the Tangoa Training Institute, the Rev. D. M. Steedman, together with his wife and daughter (Fiona) holding a carved wooden name board inscribed “Dayspring” and strongly believed to be from the original "Dayspring I". As the original vessel broke up on a reef in a storm, it is quite possible that this piece of the vessel was found and recovered. Since 1986, the name board has been stored at the Talua Ministry Training Centre at Luganville on Santo Island. We have endeavored to obtain a clearer photograph of this historic object and will continue to do so.