Flying Angel News
News from The Mission to Seafarers | February 2016 | Issue 16
The Mission to Seafarers at 160 Journalist Michael Grey reflects on 160 years of The Mission to Seafarers
A Mission to Seafarers
Part two of author Horatio Clare’s exploration of the Mission’s historical archives
Plus:
• Catch a ray of sunlight in Port Dampier • Meet the Mission’s new volunteer co-ordinator • Hear about the Revd Andrew Wright’s visit to Australia • Photographs of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Join us this Sea Sunday as we mark 160 years of celebrating seafarers all over the world. Sea Sunday is a special time for us to recognise and thank all seafarers, who work under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances to ensure we receive essential goods. Loneliness, isolation, abandonment, limited contact with family and even shipwreck are just some of the conditions seafarers often face. The Mission to Seafarers is proud to have supported and cared for seafarers for the last 160 years and we are passionate and committed to providing crucial and urgent support to the 1.5 million seafarers across the globe. Please help The Mission To Seafarers by holding a Sea Sunday service this year. If you would like to get involved, please email seasunday@ missiontoseafarers.org or call 020 7246 2939.
www.missiontoseafarers.org Registered charity no: 1123613
Your lasting gift: shelter from the storm
The Mission to Seafarers offers emergency assistance, practical support, and a friendly welcome to crews visiting over 200 ports in 50 countries. Legacy gifts are a vital part of our funding, and your generous contribution will make a real difference to those facing peril at sea or distress in our ports.
To find out more about our work, or about leaving a gift to The Mission to Seafarers in your will, contact Dominic Hasan by phone on 020 7246 2937, by email at Dom.Hasan@missiontoseafarers.org or by post, quoting ref: FAN16.
Contents
From the
In this issue...
Secretary General Revd Andrew Wright
Journalist Michael Grey reflects on 160 years of the Mission
Dear Friends,
A Mission to Seafarers
A warm welcome to this edition of FAN. Founded in 1856, 2016 marks another significant year for The Mission to Seafarers. It is not one of the “big” birthdays and we do not plan a major fuss. However, there is plenty to celebrate and we will ensure some low key observance of this particular decade marker. Looking back is important. To do so reminds us of the values and purposes that launched the Mission and which remain at the core of what we do. To do so is rightly to honour the many individuals whose personal dedication and heroism have been integral to our story of service to seafarers. I have seen some amazing work going on around the world in these past months – and the key priority for The Mission to Seafarers remains its commitment to extensive, well-trained and need-focused work in ports, through its chaplaincy teams and its centres. Some of what I have seen has been large scale and grandly entrepreneurial, as in Port Hedland, Australia, the world’s largest iron ore port, one of a number of places where I have seen a level of visionary dynamism which, frankly, took my breath away. I have been delighted by the emergence of our two new “family” projects – in Ukraine and in the Philippines. I am excited by the new partnership with the North American Maritime Ministry Association as we work with them to explore the inevitably digital dimension of future chaplaincy. I have been very encouraged to see the way in which our eight regions are developing, each now with a dedicated Regional Director, ensuring a strong basis for accountability, for effective support and for future development. Our current programme of change is clear about its priorities – a focus where the need is greatest, a commitment to ensure our resources are properly shared around the world, a willingness to explore new models of working and a determination to ensure future sustainability.
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Ray of Sunlight in Port Dampier Laura Hayes interviews the Revd Ian McGilvray in Port Dampier
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A Mission Visit to Australia Secretary General Andrew Wright visits Australia
14 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Photographs from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 2016
Regulars Mission news Fundraising news
Editor: Ben Alcraft Address: St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London EC4R 2RL UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7248 5202 Email: pressoffice@missiontoseafarers.org
0300 555 1505
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Part two of Horatio Clare’s exploration of the Mission’s rich archives
In this first FAN of 2016 I would like to offer profound thanks to our many dedicated staff and volunteers, often working in remote and lonely places, as well as to our numerous and varied supporters whose generosity enables our work to continue.
Andrew Wright Secretary General
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The Mission to Seafarers at 160
Registered charity number: 1123613
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Mission news MtS and Odessa Seafarers Support Foundation e-Families’ Welfare Project underway
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eafarers’ families in Ukraine went back to school this week as the joint MtS and Odessa Seafarers Support Foundation e-Families’ Welfare Project got started in the port city of Odessa, thanks to a grant of £5,000 from International Headquarters. The project aims to teach seafarers’ families new skills in communication technology so that they can remain in touch with their loved ones. Over the course of 15 lessons, family members will be introduced to the basics of using a computer, the internet and how to utilise video conferencing – such as Skype – to make contact with sailing loved ones thousands of miles away. Seafarers’ families learn new communication skills in Odessa
“We’re delighted to partner with the charitable relief fund Odessa Seafarers Support Foundation in this endeavour,” said project manager Ben Bailey. “Isolation is the main issue affecting seafarers’ mental wellbeing, which can ultimately impact on the safe passage of the vessel. We hope that this small but important project will bring Ukrainian seafarers closer to their families in new and exciting ways.”
The Odessa Seafarers Support Foundation is an Odessa-based organisation that was created by seafarers’ wives after the ship their husbands were working on was taken by Somali pirates and held for seven months. In addition to providing support to seafarers’ families, the organisation works with MtS in providing support to Ukrainian seafarers abandoned in overseas ports.
Prayer Diary 2016 launched
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he Mission to Seafarers’ annual Prayer Diary has been launched, with the help of The Mission to Seafarers’ staff and volunteers across the globe. The Prayer Diary 2016 contains a prayer for each day of the year, drawn from valuable contributors
to the work of the Mission and key dates in the Christian calendar. You can download a copy of the Prayer Diary from the Media Centre at missiontoseafarers.org
Regional Directors’ Conference held in South Africa
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Mission to Seafarers Regional Directors’ Conference was held in South Africa in October to further the process of regionalisation, and to explore joint issues relating to seafarers’ welfare.
Delegates representing UK and Europe, the Gulf and India, Oceania and the USA came together to establish a framework of common standards that will be the bedrock of continuing the high standard of welfare that takes place in 200 ports in 50 countries. The group endorsed the overarching strategic aims of the organisation, and committed their areas to maintaining the structures required in order to strengthen seafarers’ welfare facilities across large and often sparsely-populated geographical areas. Secretary General the Revd Andrew Wright said: “This meeting has underlined the value of our regionalisation process as well as the quality of the Regional Directors we now have in place. It has been marked by a strong sense of common purpose and by a clear and creative shared vision for the future. Many key decisions have been made.”
The Revd Andrew Wright (first row, far right) with Mission Regional Directors
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Flying Angel News | The Magazine of The Mission to Seafarers | February 2016 | Issue 16
News
Captain Robert Walker takes the helm as Chairman of Mission to Seafarers Singapore
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aptain Robert Walker has taken over as Chairman of The Mission to Seafarers in Singapore. Captain Rob was a seafarer for 20 years and is a long-standing member of The Mission to Seafarers Singapore Committee. He takes the helm from Captain Lee Wai Pong who served faithfully for the past four years and who will stay on as Vice-Chairman to ensure a smooth transition and lend his support.
Captain Robert Walker during Singapore Maritime Week 2015
Captain Walker said: “Throughout Wai Pong’s distinguished period of chairmanship, he has guided us to a greater understanding of the vision and purpose of the global Mission, which has led to a strengthening in partnerships with the local Mission and the maritime industry, as well as sharing a greater understanding of the issues facing today’s seafarers with our highly esteemed supporters. He has also forged a dynamic partnership with our new Regional Director for East Asia, the Revd Canon Stephen Miller, who is based regionally in Hong Kong.”
European Chaplains’ Conference held in Chesham, UK
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he long awaited UK and European Chaplains’ Conference was held at Chartridge Lodge in Chesham, Buckinghamshire between 16 and 20 November. The conference included an address from the Revd Andrew Wright, Secretary General; Bible Study sessions – including ‘Understanding mission in a multicultural context’; workshops on fundraising with Nicky Wynne, Director of Development; sessions on volunteers with Tomi Toluhi and making the best use of Sea Sunday 2016 with Revd Adam Boulter.
The new Humber Port Chaplain, Geraldine Pearce, also joined the volunteers’ sessions, as she begins hew work with the Mission to spearhead its vital work with volunteers.
Mission chaplains care for crew of MV Foxhound
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Crew of the MV Foxhound
ission to Seafarers’ chaplains played a key role in caring for the crew of the MV Foxhound, which sank quickly and unexpectedly in the Bismarck Sea near Papua New Guinea on 17 October. The Revd George Gayagay, the Revd David Davies and the Revd Un Tay, met the crew when they arrived in Sydney on 22 October, and helped with translation. They also provided them with much-needed access to SIM cards so they could contact their families, and gave them clothes as they had lost so much, including personal items. The following morning the Revd George met with the crew to sing, pray and reflect on the Gospel reading of Luke 8.22-25.
El Faro sinking
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he El Faro and its 33 mostly American crew members disappeared on 1 October after sailing into the path of Hurricane Joaquin while en route from Jacksonville, Florida, to Puerto Rico in the worst cargo shipping disaster involving a US-flagged vessel since 1983.
propulsion is likely to have been what doomed the ship as it was engulfed by high seas whipped up by Hurricane Joaquin.
Ken Hawkins, Regional Director, The Mission to Seafarers USA, issued a statement on behalf of MtS: “...For the women and men of the El Faro The crew, which vanished just north of Crooked Island the Bahamas, and their families, the risks associated with the invisible world of shipping The crew of the MV Foxhound consisted of mostly American nationals aged between 23 and 54. The have become all-too-tangible. Our prayers are with these seafarers and ship’s owner, New Jersey-based Tote Inc, has previously said the loss of with their families and loved ones.”
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Fundraising news RASI book launch
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ission Row Around Singapore Island (RASI) endurance rowing event, which took place over two days in April 2015, involved over 60 volunteers drawn from the local maritime business sector to raise much needed funds for MtS. To commemorate this landmark event, The Mission to Seafarers has published a souvenir hardback
photobook, which was launched at a gala book launch event in Singapore on 12 November. Proceeds from the book will go to The Mission to Seafarers. The book retails at £45 and copies can be ordered by email at pressoffice@missiontoseafarers.org
Mission to Seafarers in Africa receives Lottery Grant
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he Mission to Seafarers in Africa has received a financial boost to develop its nine port-based welfare services thanks to a grant from South Africa’s National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). MtS Africa is part of the international Mission to Seafarers that operates one of the largest networks of seafarers’ centres and support facilities in 50 countries across the globe. The grant of more than R240,000 (over £10,000) has been used to part-fund various elements of the region’s work, including a shipvisitor in Port Elizabeth, a centre manager in Saldanha Bay and a training programme in post-trauma care so that personnel can support seafarers following a traumatic incident at sea or in port. “Our region is heavily dependent on the seafarers who transport over 90 per cent of the goods and services we consume,” said the Revd Cedric Rautenbach, Regional Director for MtS Africa. “As a result, we feel that we have a responsibility to provide appropriate welfare services to them when they arrive at any one of our ports, from Lagos to Mombasa. Seafarers routinely face extraordinary challenges and dangers, and in the waters around our region the threat of piracy is never far from mind. The money we have received from the NLDTF has enabled us to ensure our welfare teams are adequately trained to give the best possible assistance to visiting crews.
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“The training is already paying dividends. When the M/V African Blackbird arrived in Richards Bay, MtS was on hand to provide critical care and assistance. During the voyage, the ship’s bosun died and the crew were left shocked and traumatised. On arrival, the local chaplain, Mr Mark Classen, provided grief counselling to the crew and arranged a memorial service so they could mark their colleague’s passing. The training Mark had received just a few weeks before proved vital to help the men. “This important grant from the NLDTF has enabled me and my colleagues across the region to be properly prepared to assist seafarers in situations like these. As a non-governmental organisation, The Mission to Seafarers is wholly dependent on our supporters for donations and grants such as this one. On behalf of MtS Africa, I would like to thank the NLDFT for their support of our work.”
Flying Angel News | The Magazine of The Mission to Seafarers | February 2016 | Issue 16
Fundraising
Woolly Hat Day 2015
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oolly Hat Day 9 October 2015 saw many volunteers and supporters from the shipping industry wearing woolly hats and fundraising for The Mission to Seafarers. Woolly hats are an important symbol of the care and support that the Mission provides and our 2015 campaign was accompanied by two videos of seafarers Jack and Bayani. Their ‘what’s under the hat’ stories included ‘memories of home’, ‘worries about the storm ahead’ and ‘dreams of a better future’. If you would like to view the WHD videos please visit whd.missiontoseafarers.org
Hong Kong Annual Maritime Charity Dinner and Seafarers’ Awards 2015
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ver 290 members of Hong Kong’s maritime industry gathered at The Mission to Seafarers’ 3rd Annual Maritime Charity Dinner in Hong Kong on Thursday 19 November. As well as raising money for the Mission’s work with seafarers in Hong Kong, a small but significant part of the total HK$1.2m (over £100k) raised will be sent to the new ‘Seafarers and Family Network’ to be established in Yangon, Myanmar on 7 February 2016.
Hong Kong Annual Maritime Charity Dinner and Seafarers’ Awards 2015
High tea fundraiser for MV Flying Angel
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A cricket bat signed by the England Test Squad was auctioned
he Mission in Dubai was blessed with beautiful weather in Spring 2015 for the 8th Annual High Tea at the British Embassy. Over 450 guests enjoyed an afternoon in the gardens of the British Consul General catching up with old friends, meeting new friends and business contacts all in support of The Angel Appeal. Guests were entertained by the sounds of a jazz quartet from Abu Dhabi. Even though the signed cricket bat was not the top seller, the top auction items were enthusiastically sold. The Mission was blessed with many donations from so many wonderful supporters that brought in significant money from the raffle and auctions. The High Tea would not have been successful without the support of Chevron, Enoc, Emirates Airlines, G.A.A.S.T. and MMI. The Mission raised close to AED 180,000 (over £33,500), which will help pay for nearly four months of fuel for the MV Flying Angel.
Fundraise for The Mission to Seafarers! We need your help! Could you organise a coffee morning or quiz night, or would you like to literally go that extra mile and take on a run or challenge event in aid of The Mission to Seafarers? These events can be a great way to get people together, have fun, and raise funds for seafarers at the same time. We can offer tips, advice and resources to help ensure that your event is a huge success. To find out more, visit www.missiontoseafarers.org/support-us www.missiontoseafarers.org
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The Mission to Seafarers at 160 Journalist Michael Grey reflects on 160 years of The Mission to Seafarers and the changing face of the world’s shipping industry.
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ny 21st century seafarer transported back 160 years to the shipping world of 1856 would, at first sight, seem to have arrived at a very strange place. The vast bulk of the shipping industry was, as it had been for centuries, wind driven. Ships were far smaller, seafaring was infinitely more dangerous and shipwreck commonplace. The length of any voyage could sometimes be measured in years and sheer uncertainty about what the future might hold was the seafarer’s lot. Foreign ports could be dangerous and unwelcoming, with the ship alongside for weeks awaiting a cargo, the surroundings far from salubrious and in some places, the sheer criminality of the waterfront overwhelming.
The Revd John Ashley who began ministering to seafarers in the 1830’s
Seafarers 160 years ago were people apart from normal landside society, and in a world where communications were primitive, would find it difficult if not impossible to contact their families at home. Loneliness and isolation could be the accompaniment to their hard physical and hazardous work. And while the largest fleet in the world sailed under the Red Ensign, the workforce was surprisingly cosmopolitan, with seafarers from all over the world to be found in British ships. The Mission to Seafarers began its life addressing a need that had been recognised as far back as the 1830’s by the young Anglican clergyman John Ashley, who turned his back on a parish appointment to begin a ministry to seafarers in the Bristol Channel encouraged by the questioning of his small son as to where seafarers went to Church. In his little schooner, he would spend 15 years visiting ships anchored and waiting favourable winds, holding services, bringing Bibles and effectively taking the Church to his seaborne parishioners, who otherwise would have had no such opportunity for worship. Ashley’s work inspired others to minister to seafarers and by 1856, when The Mission to Seafarers was officially constituted, there were mission ‘stations’ in a growing number of British ports and harbours, and within a short time, others opened abroad, with chaplains stationed on the Elbe, in Malta and Leghorn in the Mediterranean and on the other side of the Atlantic, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. By 1866, the ‘Flying Angel’ flag would be flying over a station in Singapore. “The vast parish of the waters,” it was observed around that time – “is no longer an altogether neglected parish.” The steady spread of the Mission’s work characterises its activities for the remainder of the 19th century, a period which saw unprecedented maritime expansion and dramatic technological change, with the unstoppable march of the steamship. Not that the sailing ship gave up the struggle, as the deep sea sailing tramp ship, and the sailing coaster would remain a feature of the shipping world well into the first third
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of the new century. The steamship’s emergence might make shipping less prone to adverse winds, but seafaring remained a hazardous occupation. In 1881, more than one thousand British ships were wrecked. The reports of the daily work of chaplains around the Mission stations tell us of the very regular intervention of tragedy, with their melancholy task being to convey the sad news to the families of the lost. The winter storms and the uncertainties of position finding would invariably produce their harvest of shipwrecked mariners and those whose graves were the sea. At the turn of the 20th century, there were more than 70 stations established; 56 around the home coasts and 18 overseas. On the staff there were, by then, 46 chaplains and 58 scripture readers, 3 lady workers and 10 lay helpers. There was a sizeable fleet of 12 steam and 8 sailing mission ships, along with 52 boats, providing services of all kinds, in the ports where the organisation was established. Lightships, offshore islands and vessels anchored in roadsteads all kept these craft busy, while in many ports, a launch would be the easiest conveyance for the chaplain or reader visiting ships.
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Feature and repatriation. There would hopefully be recreation facilities and entertainment, in many ports dances, picnics and sports were organised, the aim being to make a stay in port a happy one. The successful station would invariably be well served by volunteers, who would offer friendship and a welcome to the visitors. Where large passenger ships regularly called and in large ports with a large number of ships, the degree of organisation required would be substantial. The Mission has also found itself engaged in other areas. At the end of the 19th century and into the 20th, it was an active agent for the temperance movement. Later it was to become a venue for courses and instruction for first aid and St John Ambulance certificates, a particularly sensible activity, bearing in mind that very few ships carried anyone medically qualified. Hundreds of seafarers benefited and lives were surely saved. The two world wars were to place very great responsibilities upon the Mission. In both of these world-wide conflagrations, it was required to expand its activities enormously, ministering to the armed forces in addition to the Merchant Navy, working in the convoy anchorages and suffering itself, as the ports were devastated by air raids. And between the two wars, the great depression, with hundreds of ships laid up and unemployed seafarers in every port city, required a new dimension of care and assistance.
“Throughout its life, the Mission has changed and adjusted with the industry and the seafarers it continues to serve” Extracts from the journals of the chaplains and readers over the years provide insights into both their daily work with their shipborne parishioners and the changing face of shipping over the years. Behind these accounts are to be found real heroism, such as the efforts of the chaplain in San Francisco (in the 1870’s one of the most violent ports of the world) to protect seafarers from the boarding house keepers and crimps (crooks who preyed on sailors) who were not averse to murdering those who interfered with their trade. There were chaplains who landed in foreign ports and established much-needed stations almost single-handed, galvanising local support and the enthusiasm of volunteers, building and financing new buildings with a great deal of energy and faith, providing a welcome where once there had been none. In each port where the Mission was established, there would be spiritual welfare freely available to all who sought it. It would be a welcome without conditions, available to seafarers of all races, colours and creeds. The maxim that “anyone may attend Mission services, but nobody must” has been an important rule to this day. Ship-visiting was a vital part of the work, both to introduce the local mission to visiting seafarers who might not have previously been there, and to provide spiritual or other assistance and advice to individual crew members. If seafarers were left behind in hospital, the Mission staff would visit them and help with their rehabilitation www.missiontoseafarers.org
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Throughout its life, the MtS has changed and adjusted with the industry and the seafarers it continues to serve. Just as the crew of a steamship, with its engineers and firemen, was markedly different to that of its sailing predecessors, the Mission has adjusted to each new challenge. The uncertain trade of sailing ships gave way to the scheduled services of liners, the often weeks in port shortened to days or even hours alongside, so the challenges of providing spiritual and physical welfare have also changed. Major ports, once famed the world over for cargoes like coal, found themselves empty of ships as their cargoes disappeared. Ports, once in the city centre, have been abandoned to deep water berths far down the estuary, so how are the seafarers to be adequately served? Access to berths or shore leave may be restricted for security constraints. The second half of the 20th century saw these changes accelerate, with many implications for the Mission. Containerisation, with its furious schedule keeping and specialised terminals have changed the face of liner shipping completely. Scale economies, with gigantic ships staffed by tiny crews have brought social challenges of isolation and loneliness to seafarers hard pressed to enjoy any social life aboard their ships. Changes in communications technology and the internet have made it possible for seafarers to be in touch with their families, but only if this provision is available to them. Would the time-travelling 21st century seafarer transported to the year of the Mission’s birth find that there are common features of seafaring life between then and now? Certainly, seafaring is safer, but is it any less lonely in the cabined ships of 2016, with their small multinational crews and short port stays? The seafaring population which forms the Mission’s clientele may be very different, but their need for a friendly welcome when their ship arrives in port remains very much the same.
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A Mission to Seafarers by Horatio Clare
Author and journalist, Horatio Clare, visits The Mission to Seafarers’ archives for the second in a three part series – and explores the very different seafaring world of the 19th Century. Part two
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y expedition through the archive was necessarily somewhat haphazhard. Much of the material in the catalogued six metres (six boxes to a metre) consists of sub-committee minute books, accounts, administration, correspondence, reports of ship visits and similar deeds, and administrative requests; many of the uncatalogued boxes will surely hold more of the same. Athough I was able to see the stacked shelves of the uncatalogued archive, in the company of the Librarian, and to open one at random, searching them was impossible. So I plumped for journals and articles from the thirty-six boxes that have been listed. In this way I met John Hall Oliver, Thomas Stratten, and various remarkable men. The first is the Reverend C A J Nibbs, husband of Eva. Reverend Nibbs held the post of river chaplain at the port of Calcutta from 1911 to 1915.
The Mission’s archives are held in the Hull History Centre
The ‘SEAMEN’S CHURCH & INSTITUTE’ was open daily for 09:00hrs to 22:00hrs
He is not an immodest man. Some of the most gleeful entries in his journal are slights, abuse and criticism directed against him by the men he is resolved to serve. This is one of the first. “At one of our Christmas festive gatherings, a Chief Mate made a speech in which he roundly abused me for being a thoroughly lazy and incompetent parson. We took it good humouredly, as it was Christmas, and the incident passed away. As, however, on his return to the port almost a fortnight ago, he repeated his charges in a letter to me, I went aboard and had it out wih him, before the Captain and the Officers - he apologised - practically compelled by his Officers to do so. Since then, he has been up here, and (though an Irish R.C.) has completely turned around and sings praises of the Institute everywhere – and his letters to me are really charming in character. “A Chief Steward of a liner came to me and said he wanted me to give him a “moral thrashing” as hard as I could on the drink question. He had fallen overboard in the river and was miraculously saved. He had promised “amendment” and says he will have to have a “moral thrashing” every time he comes here, about once in four months. God help me to “thrash” him soundly.” In the company of such a man, learning of life in Calcutta during the summer of British rule is an absolute treat. Wasps, cyclones, hammering heat, cholera, monsoons, dreaded northwesterlies,
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thieves (Nibbs writes a letter to The Empire, his local newspaper, offering whoever stole his bicycle his bicycle pump, for which he has no further use) and many teas and dinners are recorded. He makes little mention of his work but his industry was ceaseless. In 1912 Nibbs made 825 visits to ships, 125 to seamen ashore, and 188 to seamen in hospital. He held 279 services and 79 concerts, at which the attendance was respectively 2769 and 2982. (An article in The Empire by someone who has read the Revd Nibb’s annual report, “a breezy report of his year’s work that is as bright and cheerful as he himself,” publishes these figures. Nibbs never mentions them.)
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Feature football, they wrote letters, they came to Church, some signed the pledge, and when I went aboard on sailing day the Captain said (he was a “blue-nose skipper” of a particularly hard type), “Well, sir, there hasn’t been one man coming aboard drunk, and no one has left the ship; I guess your old Mission’s at the root of it, and I’m glad to say ‘Thank ye,’ Shake” – and we shook.” It is no surprise that he inherits a Mission in debt and leaves its account in credit. The journal records his worries about the Suffragettes (“doing an enormous amount of damage at Home and the Government seems absolutely impotent to stop them”) and days of misery occasioned by tropical storms (“We are practically prisoners in the house”), and swarms of wasps building everywhere (“which have to be swept out daily”) and that universal blessing to clergy: enthusiastic visitors. “Captain Lowell came to tea and remained till almost 8 – yarning and discussing all manner of domestic philosophic and religious questions, which I think we all enjoyed, tho’ the sum total of knowledge may not have increased.”
An early centre advert for Pusan, Korea
“Until my explorations in this archive I had not experienced the hair-prickling sensation – which must be known to many readers of primary sources – occasioned by watching ordinary people, in closeup, as history looms over them” And what a fisher of men he was.
Until my explorations in this archive I had not experienced the hair-prickling sensation – which must be known to many readers of primary sources – occasioned by watching ordinary people, in closeup, as history looms over them. Sunday 19 July 1914 Nothing very especial to day, except the non-arrival of the mails. Tues 28th European troubles seem possible, owing to the recent assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdiand and his wife. Thurs 30th War rumours abound. Russia, Germany, France and Italy may join in, and how is Britain to keep out? It will be tremendously appalling in its untold misery. We dined with Mr and Mrs Hamlyn.
“I boarded a ship just arrived in the Hooghly, and saw the Captain first. He said he would be in port two weeks, and expected “that there would be several cases of desertion, and many of drunkenness amongst his crew – that they were a tired lot, and no good at all. “Yes sir, go fo’ard if you like, but they won’t welcome you.” So I went fo’ard – it was the breakfast hour – and was greeted with:
Sunday 2nd VIII after Trinity The war fever is spreading rapidly, Germany has delivered an ultimatum to France and Russia, England is still apparently working for peace, though preparing for the worst. Later on came the news that Germany has declared war against Russia and Italy has proclaimed neutrality.
“What do you want? This ship’s hell, so you’d best clear out.
During Service all the lights and fans went out, so I preached in the darkness.
“Oh,” I said. “Being fresh from the sea, I thought you’d like a yarn with a shore chum, so I’ve come to smoke a pipe with you,” and at once I lit up. “In ten minutes we were all quite chummy and they were showing me the things they were taking home to the “missis and the kids.” I stayed all the time I could and promised to come again, which I did later on. That night the men turned up at the Institute – and again the day after, and right on till the ship was ready to sail – they played
Monday 3rd Germany, without a declaration of war, has invaded France, via Luxembourg. All sorts of disquieting rumours are abroad – in less than a week one half of Europe has entered in a war which may have the most disastrous and far reaching effects than any war in the world’s history, and this is possible after twenty centuries of Christianity!
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The final part of A Mission to Seafarers will be published in the next issue of FAN. @FlyingAngelNews
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A ray of sunlight in Port Dampier, Western Australia Mission to Seafarers Head of Marketing and Communications, Laura Hayes, interviews port chaplain the Revd Ian McGilvray about his work in the Port of Dampier, Australia.
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t is a rainy October morning in London when I call up to speak to Revd Ian, who leads The Mission to Seafarers Port Dampier, and which is located in one of our most remote industrial ports in the boiling heat of Western Australia. This is a Revd Ian McGilvray small mining town of only and his wife Sue 1300 people which services the shoreside shipping community. The port sees over 177 million tons of iron ore, LNG, salt and other vital products arrive from the local mines and which is forwarded onwards to China. There are hundreds of ships calling here every month, and the team at the Seafarers’ Centre – with a seasonal staff of around 20 volunteers – has a busy daily programme which in the main consists of ship-visiting in the morning, hospital visiting in the afternoon and running the Centre in the evening, when seafarers come to spend some time off their ships, pick up provisions and call home. But no week is ever the same. Ian told me: “I have worked here in Dampier for over 12 years and in the main the day has a steady rhythm. I have built close relationships with crews over the years, as they return regularly and know me well. But one email or phone call will change my whole day or even my week.” And so I turn to the reason for my call. This year in the middle of July, Ian and his team witnessed one of the worst weeks the port has ever experienced. Six seafarers were killed beginning on the 10 July, in Cape Lambert Second Officer Kyaw Myat of the MV Hyundai Dangin, drowned when he fell into the water whilst taking the draft readings prior to sailing. This was followed by a death of Andrew Kelly, on-board the supply vessel Skandi Pacific then the death of three fishermen when their trawler was reported missing on the Wednesday. The final death was that of a crane driver who suffered a stroke. Ian said: “This was a very unusual week, so I was involved with liaising with shipping companies, holding prayers and offering our support to those caught up in these tragedies. We also held memorial services on ships.”
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“The Mission’s core work will always stay the same but the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 has given us some peace of mind. We can hold ship agents and owners to account” Ian has not always been an Anglican priest. He spent 26 years in the Australian Navy before being ordained, and so seafaring is in his blood. He is also an experienced crewman on the local Sea Rescue Group. Out of that work, Ian has developed a counselling model of maritime ministry, which not only offers support to those bereaved, but in this particularly bleak week in Dampier, allowed him to support his fellow rescue team members, who had to deal with loss of life on a scale that they had not encountered before. Ian is clearly a man who you can trust and talk to. He has a bright and cheerful telephone manner, which puts you instantly at ease. The team has also had to deal with a rising tide of suicide in the port. This sounds so shocking to me in today’s supposedly connected and affluent world. Mental health is becoming the number one problem for seafarers everywhere, with longer voyages leading to isolation, made worse by exhaustion and stress. In a recent Interview with Lloyd’s List Australia, Ian commented: “Early identification that a person is at risk of suicide is essential, significantly, here in Dampier over the past ten years or so, in every instance where a crew member was contemplating suicide, it was one of their shipmates who has drawn attention to the fact that their friend was not coping; in the case of the Master, it was a very astute and sensitive Pilot who saw the Masters situation and reported it to the chaplain. Following a period of counselling we used the resources that were available and initiated a ‘Buddy System’ for the crew members to support and encourage to the seafarer at risk. With one tragic exception, I am pleased to say that this ‘Buddy System’ is working.” And this month very sadly there have been two further suicides for Ian to deal with.
Flying Angel News | The Magazine of The Mission to Seafarers | February 2016 | Issue 16
Feature Seafarers enjoy the facilities at the Dampier Seafarers Centre
I asked him what he thought was the main change that he had seen in the port during his long tenure there. Ian told me, “The Mission’s core work will always stay the Revd Ian McGilvray same but the Maritime on board with a seafarer Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 has given us some peace of mind. We can hold ship agents and owners to account – I still see filthy ships, with no food on board for seafarers, so I can talk about the MLC and contact the ITF where I can. Seafarers are becoming more aware of it themselves but it is up to us at the Mission to promote it.” The nature of his spiritual work has similarly not changed, although the number of Chinese Bibles being distributed now makes up around 60% of those requested by seafarers. Ian also holds on-ship Bible study groups and is currently working with 18 ships regularly to talk about the Christian faith. He handed out extra free food and drinks at Advent, along with free WIFI and internet; and they gave away small
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gifts at Christmas such as phone cards. All of their impressive and extensive Mission work is funded through volunteering and a small income from their Centre retail shop. Ian tells me that today in the Centre the temperature is around 42 degrees, which sounds very hot (and appealing) to me. He remembers the English weather well, as he lived in Birmingham UK for four years. He remembers clearly walking down the grey street in the cold and rain in a bleak British winter, when suddenly a ray of sunshine broke through the clouds and made him smile. I have that sense that Ian will always find that welcoming and inspiring light in the midst of darkness; and be able to share that with the seafaring world. Next year he will be moving to The Mission to Seafarers in Brisbane with his wife Sue. Restrictions due to regulations will make ship-visiting more and more difficult. For Ian, It is time to retire, and he says he has been invited to continue ship-visiting in Brisbane. Maybe he will also spend more time reading and gardening. Good luck Ian and Sue; and God Bless you for all you and the Mission team in Port Dampier are doing – bringing support and a sunny Australian smile to seafarers in need.
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A Mission visit to Australia Secretary General, Andrew Wright, writes about his visit to Australia, where he experiences Australian hospitality and attends The Mission’s Regional Conference. Revd Andrew Wright (centre) at the Regional Conference where the theme was ‘Over the Horizon’
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uring my visit to The Mission to Seafarers in Australia, not only did I experience once again that characteristic and generous Australian hospitality (despite England’s recent victory in the Ashes series – the men’s one that is!) but I was also inspired by so much that I saw. I began in Albany (be careful about the pronunciation – I got it wrong!) where The Mission to Seafarers is celebrating 50 years’ presence in the port. The Mission operation there highlights one of the great strengths of MtS Australia – a strong tradition of volunteering. Lead volunteer Norm Stevens, together with his wife Jane, has been working with the Mission for 24 years – driving the bus, visiting ships and giving the kind of passionate support to seafarers which they will never forget. The community of Albany gathered in some numbers for a celebration service and reception afterwards. Many stories were told of the changes which have been seen in this relatively small (around 160
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Flying Angel News
The Magazine of The Mission to Seafarers
ship visits a year) but lively port. The Mission is clearly in very good heart there…and yes I saw my first wild kangaroos and even a distant whale in this beautiful part of the world. On to Fremantle, where the large MtS operation is well known and loved by so many seafarers – a fact reflected in its recent award by International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN). This work is headed up by the equally well known chaplain, a legend in fact, the long serving Dennis Claughton. It has not been an easy year for the region with the economic reality of a collapse in raw material prices and this has impacted on the Centre. However, the Mission operation plays a vital role in the port and is very well respected. A key focus of the large team here is an extensive transport operation, regularly linking inner and outer harbours (the latter an hour’s drive away from town) with port, centre, city and airport. Regular Mission transport services operate throughout the
October 2015
Issue 15
Feature
“Equally staggering is the MtS Centre, hosting 4000 seafarers a month, providing a high level of facility, including the best and most modern Centre supermarket I have seen anywhere in the world”
The Revd Andrew Wright with the Revd and Mrs Bill Ross in Geraldton
day and the evening and provide a vital lifeline for seafarers, who also clearly enjoy the extensive facilities of the Centre. As elsewhere, there are many, many stories of the ways in which lives have been changed, sometimes dramatically, and issues resolved by the quality of care given here. From Fremantle I headed a long, long way north to remote Port Hedland, the world’s largest iron ore exporting port. The statistics are staggering. Equally staggering is the Mission Centre, hosting 4000 seafarers a month, providing a high level of facility, including the best and most modern Centre supermarket I have seen anywhere in the world. In addition it runs a small fleet of different size buses and operates water taxis. The latter bring crew from the ships, allowing them to access both Centre and town. These water taxis, without losing any seafarer focus, are also used to take tourists on tours of the harbour, introducing them to the world of ships, to the lives of their crews and to the seafarers themselves. Chaplain Alan Mower is a truly dynamic force, heading up a strong team, and showing probably the best entrepreneurial skill I have seen in any Mission in the world. It was impressive and inspiring. I also met some key managers from the mining company, discovering the high value they place on the vital services of The Mission to Seafarers not just in Port Hedland but also in nearby (relatively!) Dampier where excellent Chaplain Ian McGilvray recently dealt with the tragedy of six deaths in one week (five seafarers and one harbour worker), as a result of four different incidents, a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers of this industry, despite so much progress in safety.
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And so I moved south and east, flying to Hobart, Tasmania, for the very important celebration of the centenary of the Mission in that city. In fact the celebration service took place on the exact anniversary of the opening day – 30 August 1915, no doubt when many of its young men were away fighting in Gallipoli and elsewhere. Again the community, headed up by the Governor, gathered in force for a great service of thanksgiving, organised by Chaplain Bruce Mitchell supported by his committee and volunteers. The Centre itself is an iconic building on the front, ideally situated especially for the crew of the many visiting cruise vessels which make up a high level of the port’s shipping. Again a bus is run to the more remote parts of the port. Internally the Centre is in the midst of a makeover and modernisation and I look forward to seeing the result. Clearly visiting seafarers value the ministry here greatly. Of particular note was my amazing meeting with Jack Tomes who has been volunteering for 78 years! Those four ports behind me, I made my way to a fifth, Newcastle, New South Wales, another huge bulk port, this time exporting more coal than any other port in the world. I am there for the Regional Conference, which brought together Mission to Seafarers’ teams from the 27 locations where we are currently present in Australia. On view was the passion for seafarers, and the passion for the Christian faith which lies at the core of all we do, which I remembered so vividly from last time. They are all independent stations, self-funding and dependent on their own efforts, large and small, some all-volunteer and some with paid staff. This gives them a particular vibrancy which is so, so important. The theme of the conference was “Over the Horizon” and together we looked at how The Mission to Seafarers goes forward in Australia over the coming years. There are many challenges, shared across the world, as we adapt to a changing shipping industry, as we seek to bring in new chaplains and recruit a new generation of volunteers, as we seek to raise profile and find the funds that can ensure sustainability, as we seek strong partnership with others and as our ministry develops in new ports – and excitingly it looks as if the chaplain in Dampier, after long efforts, will at last see a new Centre at the vital nearby port of Cape Lambert. The Mission to Seafarers is very much alive and well in Australia and there is much to learn from it. It is “hats off” from the Secretary General who left feeling very positive and with much “best practice” to share.
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Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, an annual celebration attended by supporters and guests of The Mission to Seafarers, was held on 9 December at St Michael Paternoster Royal, followed by a drinks reception at Skinners’ Hall. The event is one of the highlights of the London shipping industry Christmas events’ calendar and was sold out once again.
HRH The Princess Royal was the lead reader at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Executive Assisant to Secretary General, Sharon Manwaring with Stephen Lyon and Captain Neale Rodrigues, Trustees of the Mission to Seafarers
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Flying Angel News | The Magazine of The Mission to Seafarers | February 2016 | Issue 16
Festival 2015
MtS Secretary General, the Revd Andrew Wright
St Michael Paternoster Royal was lit by hundreds of tealight candles
Director of Justice and Public Affairs, the Revd Canon Ken Peters
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The Lloyd’s Choir perform at the Festival
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Take on a challenge for The Mission to Seafarers! London Nightrider Nightrider is a unique 100km or 60km moonlit cycle past over 50 of London’s most iconic landmarks. While London sleeps, some 2500 cyclists are set to raise more than £1million in one night for hundreds of charities. Full support, back-up and regular break stops are provided through the night and a well-earned breakfast and medal at the finish! It’s quick and easy to sign up for Nightrider. Pay a £39 registration fee then raise £175 minimum sponsorship for The Mission to Seafarers. For more details contact Ravina Patel on the details below or visit www.missiontoseafarers.org/Nightrider2016
Vietnam to Cambodia cycle Prepare to be overwhelmed by Vietnam’s natural contrasting beauty, from the patchwork of bright green rice paddies to the rugged mountains and white sandy beaches, you can’t fail to be bewitched by its traditional charm! For those of you in search of the charity cycle challenge of a lifetime, Vietnam won’t fail to leave an indelible mark on you and will provide you with memories that will last forever. You can sign up for a Vietnam to Cambodia cycle through Discover Adventure. To find out more and request a brochure, contact Ravina Patel on the details below or visit www.missiontoseafarers.org/Viet2Cam Photo: Nhi Dang, Flickr
London to Paris cycle Cycling from London to Paris is one of the great 5 day cycle experiences in Europe. Passing through picturesque Kent countryside, cyclists cross the Channel and continue through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France. With long days in the saddle and some strenuous hill-climbs, the sight of the Eiffel Tower, the finishing point, will evoke a real sense of achievement. The last day in Paris allows the cyclists to explore the sights and soak up the romantic atmosphere of this majestic city! For more details contact Ravina Patel on the details below or visit www.missiontoseafarers.org/Lon2Paris
Further details Photo: Moyan Brenn, Flickr
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Contact Ravina Patel on 020 7246 2915, or email her at Ravina.Patel@missiontoseafarers.org
Flying Angel News | The Magazine of The Mission to Seafarers | February 2016 | Issue 16
12 May
Interview with
London Flying Angel Committee
Geraldine Pearce Geraldine Pearce is the new Humber Port Chaplain and The Mission to Seafarers’ volunteer co-ordinator. She is also the first woman chaplain for The Mission to Seafarers in the UK.
SPRING LUNCH Thursday 12 May 2016
SPEAKER: CAPT. JOHN FREESTONE
How long have you worked with The Mission to Seafarers? I have worked with The Mission to Seafarers since the beginning of December 2015, when I took up the post of chaplain to the Humber Ports/Volunteer Development Manager, based at the Immingham Seafarers Centre alongside two Apostleship of the Sea team members, Fr Colum Kelly and Steve Willows. At the time of writing this I am still in my first month in the role. There is so much for me to learn about seafaring, chaplaincy and the history of the Humber Ports and the surrounding area. As the Mission’s first woman chaplain, do you think a variety of individuals and experience is important? So much has changed for women at work in the last twenty years in Britain. Many organisations recognise the importance to their success, of accessing a range and diversity of skills and experience, with their employees and their volunteers. Seafaring is a predominately male occupation but this is changing and will continue to change. The Immingham Seafarers Centre has lots of women on the staff so I do not feel isolated or alone in the work. I have also had a warm and friendly welcome from other European chaplains in The Mission to Seafarers.
LFAC Lunch on the HQS Wellington How important are volunteers to the success of the Mission?
Ticket price: £50 including wine. Please make cheques payable to London Flying Angel Committee.
Venue: HQS Wellington Temple Stairs Victoria Embankment London WC2R 2PN UK
Please apply for tickets from: Heather Jones C/O St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London UK EC4R 2RL Tel: Heather on 020 8467 8467 or email Maureen at Hockliffe@btopenworld.com www.missiontoseafarers.org
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Volunteers are the bedrock of the work of any charity and The Mission to Seafarers has known this for much of its history. Volunteers keep us in touch with changing communities and help expand our capacity to reach seafarers. In my role, I will be working on the next stage of development in the engagement and support of volunteers in the fundraising, supporter and ship-visiting volunteer roles. Along with others, I will ensure we work within a best practice framework, enabling our volunteers to feel valued and affirmed. We are looking for new volunteers across the UK; those interested in engaging in short term internships; and those who would like to become honorary chaplains. If this sounds like something you would like to explore, please contact me on 07802 281680 or Geraldine.pearce@missiontoseafarers.org What aspect of your work for the Mission gives you the most satisfaction? My work with the Mission to Seafarers is very different from anything I have done previously, but listening to and supporting others in need is something I have done in a number of different contexts; in probation, the voluntary sector and the Church. In my first month, I have enjoyed meeting seafarers from all over the world and offering a hand of welcome, friendship and support. As I grow into the role, I am hoping that I will find the answer to one of life’s greatest mysteries – what is the shipping forecast all about? Many thanks to all colleagues who have helped me along this road in my early weeks.
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How you can support us There are many ways in which you can support our work with seafarers around the world.
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Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols December date to be confirmed