View of ships in harbour Apia, Samoa, July 1897

"Apia Harbour July 1897. Samoa. 3 War Ships and 'John Williams'. One of a set of prints, some stamped "J. Davis". Davis died in 1893 when his studio was taken over by his former assistant, Alfred John Tattersall, who was resident in Samoa from 1886 to 1951. In 1949 the business was bought by Messers H & J Retzlaff of Apia, Samoa, but the negatives were destroyed in the 1966 hurricane.; A mission to Samoa or Navigators Islands was started after a visit by John Williams in 1830, and it became a succesful mission, famous for its educational work. For example, the Malua Theological College was established in 1844 and the Leulumoega High School was established in 1890. A school for girls, called Papauta, was founded in 1892. By 1905 the indigenous Church was well organised and became effectively financially independent in the 1920s. A high percentage of the population was allied to LMS churches. The main LMS mission stations were on the islands of Upolu and Savaii in Western Samoa and Tutuila in Eastern Samoa.