THE LATE CAPTAIN E. J. HARVEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3955, 13 June 1929, Page 3

THE LATE CAPTAIN E. J. HARVEY.

The late Captain Edward John Harvey, who passed away at his residence, Roxburgh .Street, Wellington on Monday night in his eighty-second year was born in the coastal village of St. Oseph’s, near Clacton-on-'Sea, England. Probably living near the English Channel, watching the ships go by day after day, shaped his career, for at fourteen years of 'age he was apprenticed to the sea, and served five years in sailing vessels, visiting many parts 'of the world. He came to Wellington first in 1871 by the ship England, and joined the s.s. Ra ngata ra as second mate. Three years later he was transferred to the old Manawatu as first mate, trading out of Wellington to Foxton and Wanganui, and twelve months later was appointed to the coniimand of that steamer, which he retained for six ears, by which time he was known as one of the soundest skippers sailing out of this port. He was then transferred to the command of the Ramgatira, which was ultimately wrecked on the roast of Tajranalki when in charge of the first mate. Six months later Captain Harvey joined with Mr. E. Greenwood and purchased the s.w. Sampson, which vessel 'he commanded until she Was wrecked. The two partners then purchased the paddle steamer- Hauraki, converted her into a screw Steepler, and resumed trading on the coast, bringing in the wool from several of the stations on the cofist, where there was as often as not no shelter at all, and the wool h'ad to be brought off in surf boats. Some years later the Hauraki sprung a Beak and. went down, but it was fortunate that on none of the occasions mentioned were lives lost. Captain Harvey itlven entered the employ of Messrs Levin and Company, as captain of the Little Napier, but as this vessel was not considered large enough for the then growing trade, he Was sent ito Sydney 'to try and pick up a steamer that would be suitable. He succeeded in purchasing the Queen of the South, and which proved to toe one of the best of vessels for working 1 bar harbour ports, as she could take a. good load of cargo on a very light draught. In this vessel he and 'the late Mr. Wm. Signal (engineer) were part-owners. Subsequently Mr. Signal wias sent Home to superintend itlie building of a new steamer for the same connection. That was the Bim'atangi. On her an’ival 'here Captain Harvey was placed in charge, whilst his old first mate, Captain Manly, took charge of the Queen of the South. Sub-si-quentiv Ithe Queen of the South was wrecked on the other side ott the strait, in thick -weather, though not then in charge of either Captains Harvey or Manly. Her loss was a great one, as she was a most adaptable craft. In addition to being bandy on low draught bars, she was often called into commission on holidays to run excursions across the harbour in the old days.

The late Captain Harvey retired from the sea nine years -ago, since when he had resided in -Wellington. In the summer-time he was one of a eotorie of old gentlemen who played cards almost every afternoon in the Wellington Bawling IClub’s pavilion. As a member of that club he was held in the highest respect and esteem. He -leaves a widow, two sons ( Messrs William -and Edward Harvey, both in the employ of Levin and Co.), and two daughters, Miss Rose Harvey, of Wellington, and Mrs. 'C. ( S. Keedwell, of I.evin.

The high esteem in which the late Captain E. J. Harvey was held in Wellington was shown by the large attendance at has funeral yes-tea-day afternoon. The chief mourn - ers were his son, Mr. William Harvey, and his two young grandsons, the Messrs Keedwell, of Levin, Mr. E. J. Harvey, junr., of Blenheim, second son of the deceased, was unable to ibe present owing to indisposition. The services at the private residence in Roxburgh Street, and ait the graveside at Karori were conducted by the Rev. T. R. Richards, of the Taranaki Street Methodist Church. Among those present were Sir John Luke, Captains Post and Wills, Colonel G. Hall, Messrs W. Mowbray and G. Pearce (directors of Levin and Co.), W. E. Fuller, E. and W. Kellow, S. Luke, T. Bush, C. Bush, L. Ledger, W. H. Madeley, J. O’Shea, H. Plimmer, and A. Travers (representing lOourt Sir Geo. Bowen, A.0.F., of which the deceased was a (member for about fifty years).