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Name: SMITH, George Shergold (Lieut. RN)

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Birth Date: 16 Aug 1846 Honiton

Death Date: 13 Dec 1877 murdered at island of Ukerewe

First Date: 1876

Last Date: 1877

Profession: Setting off from Zanzibar in 1876 he was the leader of the first CMS party to arrive at Rubaga, the capital of Uganda, on June 30th 1877. Not long after, he was murdered at Ukerewe with O'Neill

Area: Uganda

Book Reference: Gillett, Roome, Tucker, UJ, CMS, Stock, EAHB 1904

General Information:

Uganda Journal - Vol. 2 No. 2 - Further Memories of Uganda by Sir Albert Cook - Harry Johnston was a very accurate writer, but he makes one slip in this matter, for in Vol. 1 of his 'Uganda Protectorate', published in 1902, he states - "Owing to the dangerous storms and rough seas which prevail on the open water ….. The lake has never yet been deliberately crossed over its open waters from north to south, or east to west." That feat had, however, been performed 25 years previously for on June 25th, 1877, the Rev. C.T. Wilson and Lieut. Shergold Smith, members of the first CMS party of missionaries left Kegeyi, near Mwanza, and shaping a course across the centre of the lake, for the naval lieutenant was an experienced navigator, cast anchor in Murchison Bay on the extreme north on the evening of the 26th June, 35 hours after embarking, a record unbeaten, I believe, up to the present time. They had a favourable breeze behind them the whole way. The exploit was the more remarkable for at a small island en route when they essayed to land, they had a perilous adventure. The natives on the shore threw stones and shot poisoned arrows. A stone struck Shergold Smith, shattering the glass of his blue spectacles into his best eye, and destroyed the sight of it. Wilson's shoulder was pierced by a poisoned arrow, and Smith, blinded as he was, with the blood streaming down his face, sucked the wound, and doubtless saved his comrade's life. It is sad to relate that six months later Shergold Smith and Mr O'Neill were massacred with their whole party on the island of Ukerewe.
Uganda Journal - Vol 25, p. 43 - CMS Boats in East Africa by H.B. Thomas - Highland Lassie - In place of the 'Dove', the 'Highland Lassie', an 80-ton sailing yacht, was provided. She had auxiliary steam power, a hollow mast serving as a funnel. It was arranged that Lieutenant G. Shergold Smith, RN, who was going out as leader of the pioneer Victoria Nyanza Mission party should navigate her. She left Teignmouth on 11 March 1876. At Aden Shergold Smith transferred to ss Cashmere on which were Mackay and O'Neill also bound for Lake Victoria. On board also, in 3 sections, was a twin-screw steam-launch, the 'Daisy', cedar-built - 43 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 feet deep - by Messenger of Teddington, where Mackay inspected her under construction. They arrived at Zanzibar on 29 May 1876.
Uganda Journal - Vol 25, p. 43 - CMS Boats in East Africa by H.B. Thomas - 'Daisy' - The vanguard of the Uganda party, C.S. Wilson and O'Neill, reached Lake Victoria at Kageyi at the end of January 1877. Shergold Smith arrived on 1 April. ……………. Smith and C.T. Wilson set off in the 'Daisy' on 25 June 1877 on their first visit to Uganda. She probably flew the red ensign for this occasion. Seeking to land on Ukara island they were attacked by the islanders; Smith's sound (left) eye was struck by a slinger's stone (his right eye had been damaged in the Ashanti campaign) and he was so disabled that Wilson had to take the helm. They made landfall at Entebbe on 27 June and reached Rubaga, Mutesa's capital, on the 30th.
CMS 1876 - Age 29. Of Sidbury, Devonshire. Lieut. in Royal Navy. Served in Ashanti Campaign, 1873. 1875 at St. John's Divinity Hall. 1876 March 11 to Eastern Equatorial Africa, as leader of Nyanza Mission. With 7 following, constituted the original party of 8 who, in response to Mr Stanley's letters expressing King M'tesa's readiness to receive Missionaries, went out in 1876 to commence the Mission. 1877, June 30, reached Uganda with Wilson; Dec. 13 (?), killed withThomas O'Neill on the island of Ukerewe. Service 1 year 9 months. Bust of, presented to the CM House by a few friends, March 14 1881. Son of Captain Smith, RN one of the officers of HMS Myrmidon, when Adjai (Bishop Crowther) was rescued in 1821.
Stock - George Shergold Smith, the son of Captain Smith RN, Sir John Kennaway's agent in Devon. He served in the Ashanti campaign and after that having slightly injured an eye he left the Navy and entered St John's Hall, Highbury with a view to Holy Orders. When men were wanted for the new Mission to Uganda he was one of the first to offer and I took him to Salisbury Square. The Committee were so struck with his modest ability and genuine Christian character that they appointed him leader of the expedition.
Nat Probate Calendar says he died 7 Dec 1877

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