AN OLD-TIME SAILOR

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2063, 25 April 1907, Page 3

AN OLD-TIME SAILOR

In noticing the death of Captain Daniel Brent, which occurred in New South Wales some weeks ago, Mr. W. "F. Gordon re-tells in the columns of the Taranaki Herald some interesting stories of the old-time sailor who was known up and down the coast of New Zealand forty years pr so~ago as the “Skipper of the Gazelle.” Captain Brent came _ to the colony as mate of the brig Yarra, a regular trader between Sydney and Wellington, but it was as master of the Gazelle that he became closely identified with the carrying business in these southern seas. In those days steamers were few and far between, and the old sailing craft, of which the Gazelle, a brig of 200 or 300 tons, was a notable example, brought many of New Zealand’s pioneers to the colony. Captain Brent was very proud of the Weatherly and sailing qualities of the Gazelle, and frequently reminded his friends that on- one occasion she'had made,, the passage across the TAsilian Sea,‘from poTt to port, iii a shade under five'days. The vessel has outlived all her bid captains, and she is still doing duty as a coal hulk in Wellington. Captain Brent was afterwards in the barque Camille, and. while sailing this vessel bad a curious experience with liis cook and steward, who was seized at times with fits of religious mania. One evening after tea the poor fellow marched aft with a far-away look on his face and a Bible under his arm, and started to mount ’ the mizzeii shrouds. -“Where are you going to?” the captain demanded. “I'm going aloft to have u word with the Lord

Jesus,” tho man replied. Tho captain took in the situation at once. “You won’t find Him there steward,” ho said. “AA’liv, didn’t you know lio was waiting for you i_|i the gulloy?” I’lto captain was not. liTovorent, but lie saw tlio necessity of doing sometbing promptly to prevent tlio limn imperilling his life, and liis ruse was successful. The steward returned to tlio sale harbor of the galley, and proceeded witli his meditations there. During a protracted voyage from Newcastle some thirty-five years ago, the Gazelle ran short of wator, and Captain Brent earned a good deal of kudos by constructing a condenser from a couplo of oil drums, which certainly saved the lives of tho stock on" hoard. The old man retired from the sea some years ago, blit bo always preserved a warm corner in bis heart for his New Zealand friends.