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

During April 2026 Julie and myself were guests of the Hull History Centre which holds a number of files relating to the Missions to Seamen and its development and activities from the Rev. John Ashley's days through to the closure of the mission at Penarth. The following, is therefore, a compilation of relevant articles and Minutes in random order. Many thanks to Claire Weatherall, Archivist, and other staff at Hull for their assistance. [1389]

Based upon the Minutes of the Port of Bristol Mission the following appeared within a Report in 1894 :

"For sixty years a stout sailing vessel has been maintained in the Bristol Channel to convey the Chaplain to and fro, all the year round, to the crews of all denominations and of many languages, seeking shelter in the various outer Roadsteads, to the lonely lightship Keepers and to the isolated islanders. The present cutter has long been condemned as unfit for these hazardous duties.

Two sisters, interested in sailors, and especially in lightships' crews, have generously volunteered £1,000 towards the provision of a steam mission vessel for the Chaplin's daily use. £500 has since been liberally given towards this object by other friends. But the smallest steamer that could with safety be employed in all weathers, winter and summer, in the strong tides and exposed waters of the Bristol Channel, is estimated to cost £2,500, so that £1,000 more is required before this valuable vessel can be built."

Later entries state that :

Enough money having been raised the "go ahead" was given for the Mission Steam Vessel and the vessel was launched and named the "EIRENE". She was dedicated in 1896. She is a safe seaboat of 70 tons and 125 H.P.

The Mission Steamer is based at Penarth and the Chaplin appointed for her is the Rev. H. E. H. Coombes. It is stated that throughout 1904 the steamer has been actively engaged including regular visits to the lightships.