OBITUARY.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 23 October 1912, Page 3

OBITUARY.

CAPT. WILLIAM DAWSON

Capt. William Dawson, who died at the Helensville Private Hospital on Sunday, 13th inst, at the age of 82, was an old and much respected resident of Kaukapakapa. He was born in Norwich in 1830, and went to sea at the age of 14. In 1854 he married a daughter of Mr William Blythe, of Weybourne, and in the same year was appointed master of the barque " Auxiliar," bound Home from India. Capt. Dawson had a remarkably eventful experience. His next ship, the " Unicorn," left . /^Swansea with coal for Coquimbo, j^^shence she went to Chincha Is-\|am^w-hjere she loaded guano for 'Europe. being at sea three day, she sprang a leak, and making a foot of water per hour, she returned to Callao, where she was condemned, and her cargo was transhipped to the "Cingalese." After sailing, this vessel also sprang a leak and put into Valparaiso where she also was condemned, and the cargo again transferred to the Chilian ship '' " Rosaria." This vessel got as far as the Horn when she sprang a leak; the crew took to the boats and were eventually picked up, but the Rosario foundered ; thus the cargo of the " Unicorn," after being in three different vessels, was lost. Capt. Dawson then joined a Peruvian barque on the coast of Peru, and next had command of the barque " Sebastopol," trading to Australia, for two years. He then gave up sea-far-ing life and left' for New Zealand in the ship " Phoenix," arriving in Auckland in 1860. Shortly after his arrival he purchased a farm, now known as " Phoenix Farm," Kaukapakapa, named after his last ship. Capt. Dawson took an active part in all local affairs during 52 years residence here. He has been 28 years superintendent of the Sunday school, and was president of the Blue Ribbon Committee. He was a great favourite with every one, and every year gave the Sunday school a picnic treat on his farm, which was the event of the year with the child-' ren. The news of his death was received with deep regret, and his funeral was one of the largest eyer seen .in the district, a large number of friends from surrounding districts attending. He leaves a widow, niece, adopted daughter and several grandchildren to mourn their loss.