64 History of the “ Dayspring.” 
From the Deliverance of the General Assembly. 
The General Assembly, learning that Captain Fraser is about to retire 
from the command of the vessel, instructs the committee to assure him 
of the high estimation in which this church has always held his 
character and labours. 
Captain Fraser was succeeded by Captain Robert Rae, a 
shipmaster well known in Hobart Town, and Melbourne, who 
had been highly recommended to the committee ; under whose 
charge the “Dayspring” left Melbourne on the 12th April, 
1872, and reached Aneityum harbour on the 1st May. On 
that occasion she carried, as passengers—Dr. and Miss Geddie, 
Mr. and Mrs. Jnglis, Mr. and Mrs. Murray, Mr. and Mrs. 
McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Neilson and two 
children, Rev. D. Macdonald, and Mr. F. A. Campbell of 
Geelong. 
In consequence of Dr. Geddie’s illness, and for other rea- 
sons, it was determined, at the annual meeting of the brethren, 
to send the “ Dayspring” a second trip to the colonies. She 
arrived at Melbourne in October, and left again early in No- 
vember, in charge of Captain Jenkins, who had been appointed 
in room of Captain Rae, resigned. She was looked for back 
in Australia towards the end of January; but February and 
March passed, and still no tidings. By this time great fears for 
the safety of the vessel began to be entertained, and at length 
a communication from the Rev. Mr. Inglis confirmed the worst 
anticipations, and informed us of the total wreck of the “ Day- 
spring” in Anelcauhat harbour, Aneityum. An account of 
the disaster will be found in the accompanying narrative by 
another hand. 
Thus “ The Dayspring,’—the Presbyterian mission-vessel in 
the South Pacific—which, during her time, was one of the most 
popular and useful of all mission vessels, has passed away, and 
her work is only now a matter of history. Her services to mis- 
