Mission ship renovation funding in Africa by a UK-based mutual insurance company to mark its one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary seems a long stretch, when most other businesses would be celebrating with champagne.
Instead, as the Thomas Miller Company Chairman, Hugo Wynn-Williams explains:
"... we sought a way to celebrate this [anniversary] which would be imaginative, have the potential to do good and be of universal interest to our community, while having a maritime flavor. We found a unique project which meets all these objectives."
The project that fired his enthusiasm was one to renovate the old Christian mission ship 'Chauncy Maples' (floating derelict in Africa's far off Lake Malawi), and to put her back into service as a floating medical clinic for Malawi's sick and poverty-stricken villagers.
Mission Ship 'Chauncy Maples'
- Commissioned in 1898 by the British Universities' Mission to Central Africa, the one hundred and twenty-five foot long steamship 'Chauncy Maples' was built in Glasgow in 1898
- A symbol of Victorian 'can do', the ship was divided into more than three thousand parts, shipped across the world and up the Zambesi; lugged by tribesmen an incredible three hundred miles across Africa; and finally re-assembled on Lake Nyasa (now Lake Malawi)
- In 1901, two years after leaving Britain, the mission ship was successfully assembled and launched as a combined missionary school and hospital ship (serving at times as an occasional emergency refuge from Arab slave traders).
- Requisitioned to become a gunboat during World War l
- Reverted to role of Christian mission ship until taken over by the Malawi Government in 1953
- Lake Malawi passenger/cargo ferry until laid up afloat in 1992
Who was Chauncy Maples?
The ship was named to commemorate the life of the Anglican missionary Chauncy Maples who, after twenty years service in Africa, was ordained the sixth Bishop of Nyasaland in St. Peter's Cathedral, on Likoma Island.
Alas, on the way to take up his duties, his small boat foundered in a storm, and the the new bishop was lost in the waters of Lake Malawi.
To this day he is revered in central Africa and the hymns he composed are still sung in the churches.
Present Condition of the Old Mission Ship
When South African surveyor, Peter Volschenk examined the 'Chauncy Maples' in 2009 he gave this remarkable verdict on the hundred and ten year-old veteran:
"The vessel hull and superstructure is in remarkably good condition and shows very little, if any, signs of decay or structural fatigue..."
However it is planned to replace the main engine with a more economical and environmentally friendly diesel engine that can be fueled by a bio-diesel mixture.
New Lease of Life for the 'Chauncy Maples'
Sponsors Thomas Miller have made a substantial contribution to the three million USD fund to renovate the old mission ship, and they call for the help of private and corporate donations to complete the worthy project.
Janie Hampton, the Director of the Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust, is confident of success:
"Sailing between the small village communities scattered around the lake, 'Chauncy Maples' will bring free treatment for common diseases, dentistry, maternity care, imunization for babies, family planning and [to combat widespread AIDS] information on safe sex. Presently, Malawi citizens have a life expectancy of just 36 years..."
It looks as if the renovated old mission ship will be back in harness again before long to bring medical aid to the doorstep of the sick and poor of Malawi (rated as the sixth poorest country in the world).
There are surely other dilapidated ships to be brought back to life and put into the service of poor communities in the world; perhaps this venture in the spirit of that muscular Victorian missionary bishop, Chauncy Maples, will trigger similar projects.
George Backwell - Merely a reporter who endeavors to provide a reliable compass for those who look for one.
