The "Haweis": First Tahitian Trading Schooner

leave on December 15.

The “Haweis”

First Tahitian Trading Schooner By W. W. BOLTON.

WHEN the evangelists of the London T Missionary Society settled in Tahiti in 1797, their thoughts turned naturally to the question of providing a vessel for their own use. As early as 1798 they had discussed the project, but it was not until 20 years later that their ambition was fulfilled.

The Haweis, however, was not built without much heart burning among the brethren, for there were those who thought first of the Society which had sent them hither. There were others (a minority) who sought to build a vessel wherewith to trade for private gain to help out their meagre incomes, with wives and many children to support.

In 1811 there was an appeal to far off Port Jackson, their supply house, for “tools and 2,000 nails suitable to build a boat.” In 1812 deaths and much coming and going held back the attempt. In 1813 came Pomare’s permission to cut down Tamanu and amae trees for boat building and so the work went forward. Through 1814 and 1815 the vessel was slowly taking shape.

In August 1816 it was so far advanced that a request was made to the Society’s agent at Port Jackson (Hassall, of the Duff Company) “to send a competent man to complete the boat and take it to the Colony.” Captain John Nicholson came upon the scene with seven white men as part of the future crew. So they pushed ahead through 1817 till at last on December 6 of that year the vessel was launched from its stocks at Uaeva, Moorea, where since 1809 the brethren had massed for safety. It was a great day for the missionaries and their Tahitian converts.

Pomare, the Second, was there, and named the schooner.

The great event as written by one of the brethren stationed at Afareaitu on the opposite side of the island, who seems to have had no easy time in getting upon the scene, was written up in his daily journal as follows: “December 6. About 4 a.m. set off for Papetoai in a single canoe with Pati.

Landed at Papetou, passed through Tamai, crossed the lake and walked on to Maharepa. Here expected to borrow a canoe, but people all gone to see the brig launched. Walked to next district. Only canoe about to be used to carry food to Pomare. Kindly put across Cook’s Harbour.

“Walked to Pihena. Saw the Chief, old and infirm, all else gone to see the launching. Pound the bottom of an old fishing canoe, the edges of which were scarcely two inches above the water, but being too much fatigued to walk any further I got into it. Keeping near the shore till we reached Oponohu harbour, we crossed over safely and landed opposite Brother Hayward’s.

“We had scarcely arrived when Pati, observing the flag hoisted on board the vessel, wished to run on lest it should be launched before he could arrive. He took up his bundle of bread fruit, which he had brought from Afareaitu (a distance of 20 miles by sea) and ran on before. Shortly after I reached the place where they were endeavouring to get the vessel off the stocks. The King, the principal Chiefs, and vast crowds of people were present assisting.

“After some time the vessel moved from the stocks when the King performing the usual ceremonies pronounced as she passed along la ora na Haweis (Prosperity or peace be to the Haweis). Dr. Thomas Haweis has always been considered the particular friend of the Otaheiteans and the King wished the vessel to be called after him.”

In June, 1818, she was ready for sea, and with six natives added to the crew, the Haweis cruised through the Island groups, carrying the missionaries to isles they desired to visit, and gathering up oil, hogs, et ah, as cargo.

Then on January 1, 1819, she headed for New South Wales from her home port, Papetoai, arriving with flags flying at Port Jackson on February 15. Thus a dream