CAPTAIN BOLLONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5491, 23 October 1929, Page 1

CAPTAIN BOLLONS.

LIGHTHOUSE-KEEPERS’ FRIEND

CLOSE OF INTERESTING LIFE.

The death of Captain J. Boltons, 1.5.0., master of the lighthouse tender Tutanekai, which occurred recently, will be regretted throughout the Dominion, more especially by the lighthouse-keepers on lonely, isolated stations, to whom Captain Boltons was a valued friend.

Born in London on November 10, 1862, Captain Boltons went to sea as a lad of 14, and voyaged in sailing ships to many parts of the world. In 1881 he was serving in the barque England’s Glory when she was wrecked in Foveaux Strait, near the BluffMaking New Zealand his home, he served as an able seaman in 1883 in the schooner Kekeno, which was engaged in the sealing trade. Having secured his certificate, he was acting mate of the same vessel for about a year. He was second mate of the Government steamer Stella for a few months in 1888, and of the Hinemqa in 1890. After a few changes of ships Captain Boltons assumed command of the Hinemoa, in which position he remained for 24 years, until she was laid up for a time in 1922, when he was transferred to the Tutanekai when she was placed in the lighthouse service. Friend of Lightkeepers. The senior officer in the service of the Marine Department, Captain Boltons was affectionately known as the “father” of the lightkeepers of New Zealand. Of a kindly, cheery temperament, he was loved by all who knew him. His death will be mourned by none more than by the lightkeepers and their families, to whom his periodical visits were occasions of joy, particularly to the youngsters. Loss to the Dominion. By his death there has been lost to the Dominion a vast store of knowledge of New Zealand history and place names, of Maori folk tore and customs, and the natural history of the New Zealand coast. Rescues of Castaways. During his long career in the lighthouse and provision depot service Captain Boltons had many interesting experiences and adventures. He was the rescuer of many shipwrecked mariners cast away on the outlying islands. In 1893, when second mate of the Hinemoa, under the late Captain John Fairchild, he was instrumental in rescuing 12 survivors of the crew of 18 of the barque Spirit of Dawn, which was wrecked in thick weather on the Antipodes Islands. Fifteen years later he assisted in the rescue of the French barque Anjou, which a ref days after leaving Melbourne for the English Channel with wheat, was wrecked on the Auckland Islands. The crew of 22 had been ashore for three months, living most of the time at the .provision depot.

A most tragic affair was the wreck on Disappointment Island’ in 1907 of the .British four-masted barque Dundonald. Thirteen of the crew were drowned, including the master, his son, and the mate. The survivors lived for nearly eight months on the island, during which time they made a small coracle (the framework of which is in the Canterbury Museum) from pieces of scrub wood. They paddied it across to the main island of the Auckland group and found the provision depot. There they were rescued shortly afterwards by the Hinemoa.