TEN SEA CAPTAINS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40021, 9 November 1929, Page 3

TEN SEA CAPTAINS.

CENTENARIAN A'S HOOT.

CHANTY SUNG IN CHORUS

A birthday cake with 100 candles and 10 sea captains singing a sea chanty were features of the celebration on Tuesday last, at Port Chalmers of Captain IC. H. Welch’s hundredth birthday. The_eutting of i.fic birthday cake iby the venerable captain took place toward the close of an eventful day. There was a. stream of visitors during the afternoon and telegraph messengers were kept busy delivering congratulations throughout the day. The occasion was unique. Outstanding (among its many incidents was the visit of 10 sea captains, Who called in a body to pay their respects to the master mariner, Who had started bis seafaring career 80 years ago. 'Their reception was marked by the fine old courtesy of the sea, and their congratulations and birthday presents were proffered in dignified terms. Captain Welch said lie regarded the presence of the 10 captains as an honour indeed. He bad already received birthday greetings from the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergnsson, who was head of the new Company of Master Mariners, and from 'Sir Charles iStatham, who v. as the company’s president. The concluding incident of the call was probably without precedent in New Zealand. The visiting captains sang “Blow the Alan Down,” and Captain Welch joined in the chorus of the famous old sea chanty.