A NOTABLE CAPTAIN.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 181, 15 May 1903, Page 4

A NOTABLE CAPTAIN.

About ten years ago shipping circles and the general public were agog with the story of an apprentice who, although but eighteen years of age, took command of a big ship, whose captain and officers had died at sea, and brought her safely to port. The boy was William Shotton, now Captain William Shotton, master of the big Jesseric, and commodore of a fleet comprising 35 steamers arid sailers. The feat of the boy captain is looked upon as one of the greatest in mercantile marine The Trafalgar, a great fourmaster, was bound from Batavia to Melbourne, and on the voyage the Captain and officers sickened of fever and died one after the other. The crew, ignorant of navigation, • were helpless, but young Shotton, one of the apprentices, stepped forward and offered to take charge and bring the ship to port. His ability to do so was at first doubted, but he selected the pick of the men for officers, and set his course under all sail, and with so much confidence that fear vanished, and his orders were obeyed without question. Without further mishap the Trafalgar, with her valuable freight, was brought to Port Phillip Heads, and handed oyer to the pilots. For this brave piece of seamanship the youngster was given Lloyd's gold medal, together with a valuable presentation for saving the lives of the crew, the cargo and ship.