SHIP MASTER'S DEATH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19997, 24 July 1939, Page 12

SHIP MASTER'S DEATH

CAPTAIN W. J. WYLLIE SERVICE IN ULIMAROA The death has occurred in Australia of Captain W. J. Wyllie, formerly one of the best-known ship masters in the New Zealand trade, aged G 9 years. Prior to his retirement in 1935 after 45 years’ service with the company, Captain Wyllie was commodore of the HuddartParker line. Captain Wyllie joined the Company in 1890 as an officer in the Tasmanian trade. He gained his first command, the Excelsior, at the age of 28. In the New Zealand service his first ship was the Elingamite, subsequently wrecked at the Three Kings. The Zealandia, Wimmera and Riverina were later commands, and in 1908 he transferred to the Ulimaroa, remaining with her for 24 years.

During that time she was continually engaged in the trans-Tasman service except for the war years when she was used as a troopship. Captain Wyllie remained in command throughout this period. When the UlimarOa was replaced i n 1932 by the Zealandia, Captain Wyllie took over the latter vessel. He remained in the Zealandia when she was transferred to the SydneyHobart run next year, and also served for a short period in the Wanganella, which replaced her in the intercolonial trade. While commanding the Zealandia and Wimmera in the intercolonial trade, Captain Wyllie made regular calls at Gisborne and was a popular master with the travelling public.