Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Missions to Seamen at Penarth . . .

The following article regarding the original mission vessel, 'Eirene' was penned by the Rev. John Ashley, within The Sailor's Magazine and Naval Journal [1076] [499] which was published by the American Seaman's Friend Society, Wall street, New York, within Volume XVI, August 1844 : -

1844 - Bristol Channel Mission Society, England - “In conclusion, in advocacy of this Mission, I might point, dear sir, to a widow in one town giving glory to God for the benefit which her sons at sea had received on board the Eirene - cheering her in her widowhood with the assurance that they went twice of a Sunday, and sometimes in the week, with their captain to our chapel, whilst their long-neglected bibles were read, and the deportment of the crew was changed.

"In another, and that your own city, to a minister of Christ bending over a weather-beaten mariner, in a miserable chamber, and as he caught the glance of peaceful joy diffusing itself over the dying man's countenance, and asked him where he learned the truths that took from death its sting, and gave him peace at last, receiving for reply, 'In Penarth Roads, sir, in the chapel of the Eirene.'

“Or I might show you the pilot of another port, carrying in his altered conduct to his native village, such tokens of a blessing having reached his soul, as made his clergyman write to offer his pulpit to the chaplain of the Channel Mission, to advance the claims of a Society so practically and remarkably introduced to his notice.

“But I will not multiply facts or arguments — let a seaman himself plead ; let one who loves the Eirene for her works' sake, speak, and as he tenderly beseeches us to persevere, may we thank God, and take courage may we feel our hearts moved by the all-constraining motive which he advances - the love of Christ - to press on through the door which is now open to us determined, in His strength, to prosecute the work which He has marked out for us to do.

The following is an extract from his letter received in April last.

" ' I beseech you let nothing deter your zeal and love for poor, perishing sailors. I know and am fully aware that the sacrifice you make, as it respects your personal comfort, is not small.