Volume Thirteen - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - even more aspects - Slavery - echoes of the past . . . .

Summary of the Bristol Channel Mission

At the launch and completion of the sailing vessel 'Eirene' during 1841, John Ashley was Chaplain to the Bristol Channel Mission, preaching to, and trying to raise funds for, the benefit of the Bristol Channel mariners.

His personal income was probably limited over the previous years given the loss of labour, and thus production, and profit at his father's plantation in Vere, Jamaica, following the 1833 Act and his failure to claim compensation for the loss of his assets, i.e. the slaves.

Back at the Mission the Rev. John Ashley entered into a challenging period with the Committee set up to manage and enhance the Bristol Channel Mission. The lack of financial support was always at the front of the challenges and eventually internal conflicts meant that he was unable to work with the Committee. He had visions to expand the Mission beyond the Bristol Channel.

Despite working enthusiastically for the cause and the conflicting issues with the Mission's Committee members, he undertook a personal, partially successful, fund-raising mission of his own accord. This continued, until in 1853, before Lord Shaftesbury in London, he spoke for over three hours and whom was apparently sympathetic to the cause.

Even so, the lack of a backing organisation to secure the financial position of the Mission led him to conclude that his position within the Mission was not viable and he decided to resign. There was even a dispute about ownership of the 'Eirene' and his salary and expenses.

Following his departure, the Bristol Channel Mission became amalgamated within a recently founded society, commenced 1856, which was named the Anglican Missions to Seamen.

The Rev. John Ashley died in 1886 and is commemorated as the originator of the Bristol Channel Missions to Seamen which was the model and impetus for the birth of worldwide Missions to Seamen - a great achievement indeed!