ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20125, 20 December 1939, Page 4

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

GISBORNITE ON ACHILLES LIEUT. ERIC STEVENS VARIED SEA CAREER The appointment of Lieutenant Eric M. C. Stevens, Royal Naval Reserve (New Zealand) to H.M.S. Achilles is announced in the latest New Zealand Gazette, Lieutenant Stevens, who is a son of Mrs. H. L. Tempest, Tolaga Bay, is known to many friends in this district, having been educated at the Gisborne High School. Already Lieutenant Stevens has had a most interesting career. After three years at the High School he decided to enter a seafaring life and in 192 b joined the four-masted schooner Margaret W., under Captain. A. F.Watchlin. After several years on the ship he transferred to the Ugion Steam Ship Company, with whom he obtained his third mate’s ticket in 193 b. lie then went out East and. for some time was on a Chinese vessel trading from Hong Kong to Shanghai, Vladivostock, Singapore and India. Obtaining his second and first mate's tickets, he returned to New Zealand in 1936 and rejoined the Union Steam Ship Company. Two years later he qualified for a master’s certificate

He then decided to enter the navy and was posted to H.M.S. Achilles. In November, 1938, he accompanied H.M.S. Achilles to England to refit, returning to the Dominion in May last. Having completed his six months’ service, he was posted to the Royal Naval Reserve with the rank of lieutenant.

Returning to the Union Steam Ship Company in May last he remained in their service until last month, when he was called up to rejoin the New Zealand flagship for war service.