THE LATE CAPTAIN HART.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 63, 13 August 1874, Page 3

THE LATE CAPTAIN HART.

Daily Times. The steamer Beautiful Star arrived in Port at half-past three o'clock yesterday morning with the sad intelligence of Captain Hart's decease. Her coming had been anxiously looked for by many friends of her popular commander, and in the anticipation that he would survive the passage from Lyttelton, every preparation had been made to at once convey him to his residence on the Peninsula. Mrs Hart, Mr Mills, of the Harbor Company, Dr Drysdale, Captains M'Callum, Thomson, Clark, and the Rev Mr Johnston and others, waited up for the steamer ; and great was the shock their feelings received when they ascertained that he had departed this life at midnight, an hour or so before the steamer reached the Heads ; and not only by them was his death lamented, for Captain Hart had long been associated with this port, and was universally esteemed and liked, and his untimely decease has occasioned the most profound sorrow—a sorrow rendered the more poignant by the distressing circumstances that occasioned his death, and by the fact of his leaving behind him a wife and family of four young children, not too well provided for. The deep regret excited by the loss of such a man is, however, in a measure, tempered by the reflection that he died like a true seaman in the execution of his duty, and when struck down, was influenced more by considerations for the welfare of others than for Vis own. His anxiety for the safety of his men expressly the cook of the steamer, led him into the dangerous position where he met with the accident ; and we may add that the major cause of that most melancholy event was a desire to promote his owners' interests, and thus he engaged in the risky undertaking, for a passenger and cargo steamer, of towing a 1200 ton ship down Lyttelton harbor—a harbor through which the sea always sends home in a greater or less degree. This was in keeping with the character of the man ; for he was ever a zealous prosecutor of his duty, and when duty was in view, rigorously waived all personal consideration. How faithfully that duty was performed is attested by his long career in the Harbor Company's service. * * *****

(After giving an account of his death, pur contemporary goes on to say):—Moving him to the shore was not to be thought of. and as the unfortunate victim expressed an earnest desire to be taken home whilst the weather appeared likely to hold fine, it was resolved to risk the journey. This decision was come to the more readily, because from the first the doctors had very little hopes of him. But it was thought that, buoyed up by a desire to see his home once more, he might survive until he reached it. Actuated by these considerations, Dr Smythe volunteered to attend him, and at the outset felt confident of pulling him through. The Star left Lyttelfcon at midnight, and until noon of Thursday the sufferer bore up remarkably well, slept and dozed, and took what was given him in the way of nourishment and stimulant. Then he turned for the worse, vomiting set in, and when stopped by the application of mustard poultices to the stomach, was succeeded by severe hiccuping —a bad symptom, From that time the poor fellow gradually sank. At eight o'clock he lost consciousness, and at the turn of the night, just as Taiaroa Head light hove in sight, he rendered up his spirit to the God who gave it. Such was the end of Thomas Hart, true man and good seaman. He will long be remembered and lamented. Outward tokens of respect for his memory were displayed yesterday, every vessel in port having her flags half-mast high. It is not our province to withdraw the veil of private life, but that his house was one of bitter mourning may be truly inferred. At the earnest request of the widow, the body of her loved husband is to receive the rites of sepulture at Duuedin. It was removed from the steamer to her house shortly before noon yesterday, and will, we understand, be interred on Sunday.

[The funeral, which took place at Dunenin on Sunday the 9th instant, was well attended by a large circle of friends.!