SEAFARER AND SETTLER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 20, 18 October 1919, Page 3

SEAFARER AND SETTLER

DEATH OF A FIONEER OF THE '50'S

JOHN SYMONS'S CAREER

The late Mr. John Symons, master mariner and engineer, who died at the residence of his daughter (Mrs. Bell) at I'otono on Sunday, had a most varied and interesfc.ng career. Born in Scotland on - September 11, 1833, he W'Mit to sea when biit eleven years Of 'ago, his first triii being made in tho Arctic whaler which found tlus. remains of the exploration party headed by Sir John Franklin. Not oven the hardships encountered on that voyage could d-.ssuade the youngster I'iom a maritime career, and shipping for a voyage round tho world he arrived in Melbourne in tho '50's, left his ehip, iike thousands of others, and worked on tho gold diggings at Bondigo, and with the late Mr. John Brown, of tho Hirtt, participated in tho Eureka Stockade trouble. Returning to. 'Melbourne, ho there met an old friend in tho late Captain Rattray, of Devonport, Auckland. Captain Hattray, who had bought a brigaritinc at Homo nnd brought lier 'out; offered Mr. Symons a passage to Auckland, which the latter acceptwl, arriving in Auckland in 1854. Captain Battray traded out of Auckland for some J'ears in the vessel mentioned. Mr. Symons joined tho Wonga Wonga at Auckland, hut 'left her to try his '.tick on tho Nelson diggings, and he and his four mates had the good fortune to strike colour there, and netted .£IOOO encli before the claim pinched out. After that, experience he rejoined the Wonga Wonga, but soon found the deep seas calling again, and, returning to Auckland, lie shipped oa one of the crew of the. Nebraska, a boamengined paddle-wheeled steamer, and tho Now Zealand-San Francisco mail boat. After mailing several trips across the Pacific in tho Nebra'ska ho joined tho old Stormbird (which was imiashod U P at War.ganui on September !l, 1918), and was still on the latter vessel wljcn tho Olago gold rush broke out, alia tho si earn or was commissioned to tako supplies south for tho hungry thousands that poured into Gabriel's and other -gullies in tho vicinity. Mr. Syinons used to toll what a curious sight it was to see the Stormbird leaving Wellington packed with ffold-huJiters, and her decks laden with beef, alive and dead. So valuable wns evejy inch of space that the carcasses of mutton were hung in the riggiing, and sleeping accommodation was just Where anyone could find spaoe to lie or sit down. Mr. Symons was still on the Stormbird when she carried troops to quell the first Te Roofci rebellion. Hough weather was experienced on the trip up theiEast Coast, and' Mi - .' was instrumental in saving the life of Colonel Sir George Whitmoro's horse, which had broken loose from.its lashings In tho gale. He was also on the same steamer when she carried troop# to Wa ; ngaimi and Toranaki during the Maori War of the 'GO's. .Later Mr. Symons purchased a sailing vessel of his own, and traded to Wanganui in her, but unfortunately she was wrecked and he lost every? thing. After some further coastal experiences, ho became skipper of the cutter Nile, which, while en voyage to Hokitikn, si nick a heavy pale, and had to tako aliitf.ter in a small river on the Coast, said to be called the Nile to this day, as tke cutter was the first vessel to enter the river. As it happened,'this ill-wind bronght much good. iA small gold rush had broken out in that victnity, and the miners were almost starving for want of provisions, so Mr. Symons was able to wll the whole of his cargo, which consisted of flour, potatoes, nnd beer, at good prices,'and make a handsome .profit. The deceased and the late Mr. Greenwood (engineer of the ill-fated Tarnui) were great fr.ends, and together they at one time owned a stenmer. Among Mr Symons's friends were the Jato Seagnr toothers, David Robertson. E- W. Mills, Captains Renner, Wing. Butt, and Eckfovtl. He was fairly active up till fivo years ago, when the weight of years was heavy upon him.-and lie had to give-up the sea. and work altogether." • - • •••••• ; lAs 'Mr. Symons was 'both a qualified master mariner and certificated engineer, vfiufri 'he could not find cmploymont in one capacity he could alwaj'S fall "back uron the other. The names of his family were: Mesdnnifs O. Dow, of Dim "din; A. G. Tiiffnrd, of Pn'-oranai. Fawfce'* Bay; J. Wloox. Wel'itiEtto'i; W. Putter. Lmv«r •TTult; D. M'Kenzie, Gonville; D. Bell, Fetone; Messrs. James Symons, of Siniraporc William Svmoni. of Auckland; and .Tnhn Symoiis, of Midhirst. Tarana.ki. There are twentv-five-grandchildren nnd sir arffit-Rrandehildreu. The interment nt the IVta cemetery on Afondnv wns private. The Rev. James M'Caw officiated at the graveside.