Voyage Of The Thaddeus
After 5 Days Moored Offshore, the Missionaries Move onto the Land
April 15, 1820 “Renewed our researches on shore but could not do much business …” April 16, 1820 “Lord. Day. – Enjoyed the privileges of public worship probably for the 1st time on board the Thaddeus. Boka [Boki] arrived in port this afternoon but we shall not seek an interview with him till tomorrow.” April 17, 1820 “Obtained permission to enter the harbor, the Governor came on board.” April 18, 1820 “Entered the harbor in safety and anchored within a few yards of the shore.”
April 19, 1820 “Having at length succeeded in making the necessary arrangements casting ourselves again on the oars of divine providence, and putting ourselves in the power and possession of uncivilized pagans and strangers, on this Interesting day we disembarked from the board that had borne us in safety across the mighty waters, from our dear native land, and here took up our abode in this dark heathen land, which will be the scene of our labors and sufferings, and probably the resting place of our bones when our toils are over and our pilgrimage is ended.”
With the decision to allow missionaries to stay on April 11, 1820 – the 12th was “A busy, trying, joyful and important day. … As the Brig lay about a mile from the shore, the boats were employed all day in transporting their goods &c to the beach, and several of the King’s men with one of the brethren removed them from the beach to the house.” “We shall sail for Woahoo [O‘ahu] about 10 o’clock tonight.”
Back on the water and sailing to Honolulu, for some, seasickness returned – April 13, 1820, “Several of the family feel the motion of the Brig so much as to be seasick again, particularly Brother Ruggles and Mrs. Loomis who were often afflicted in a particular manner whenever we had a rough sea during the whole long passage from America.” “April 14. This morning we saw the island of Woahoo and before noon anchor anchored.”
“(I)f we did not do them good they might send us all away.”
On April 11, 1820, “Still on board the Thaddeus. It is now the thirteenth day since we made the land. There is not the least hostility on the part of the natives; on the contrary, all appear friendly. It is difficult to say why we are so delayed.” Then, “The decision of the government is, that two of the brethren with their wives, and two of the native youths should remain here and be furnished at the public expense with lodgings, water and fuel, and with fresh provisions end allowed to commence their work with the promise of protection”. Liholiho wanted Dr and Lucia Holman to stay, as well as Hopu and Kanui. The missionaries voted to have Asa and Lucy Thurston also stay in Kona.
“The King and Chiefs said that everybody liked [O‘ahu] better than {Hawai‘i Island], and if we all went there we should not come back again.” “[O‘ahu] is said to be more fertile than [Hawai‘i]; especially than this part where the King resides. Our family can be much better accommodated there, then here. It is likewise the place where American vessels generally stopped & by being there, we probably shall have more frequent opportunities of conveyance to our friends.” “The separation is painful. … Do not be alarmed, dear sisters, GOD will be our physician.” The missionaries were told, “if we did not do them good they might send us all away.”
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On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of ABCFM missionaries from the northeast US, set sail on the Thaddeus for the Hawaiian Islands.
These included two Ordained Preachers, Hiram Bingham and his wife Sybil and Asa Thurston and his wife Lucy; two Teachers, Mr. Samuel Whitney and his wife Mercy and Samuel Ruggles and his wife Mary; a Doctor, Thomas Holman and his wife Lucia; a Printer, Elisha Loomis and his wife Maria; a Farmer, Daniel Chamberlain, his wife Jerusha and their five children; and four young Hawaiians: Hopu; Kanui; Honoli‘i and Humehume (the son of Kauai’s King Kaumuali‘i).
This page notes their daily progress from Boston to Hawai‘i and shares some of their letters and journal entries on their voyage.
They first sighted the Islands and arrived at Kawaihae on March 30, 1820, and finally anchored at Kailua-Kona, April 4, 1820. On April 11, King Kamehameha II (Liholiho) gave the missionaries permission to stay. They set up a mission station in Kailua-Kona, the Honolulu contingent arrived on Oʻahu on April 19, 1820. Finally, Ruggles and Whitney took Humehume home to Kauai on May 2, 1820.