DEATH OF SIR EVERARD HOME.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 792, 16 November 1853, Page 2

DEATH OF SIR EVERARD HOME.

(From the “ Sydney Herald,” November 3.)

We regret to have to announce the death of Captain Sir Everard Home, Baronet, Senior Naval Officer on this station, who, after a lingering illness of some weeks’ duration, expired on board the Calliope, on luesday evening, at half-past nine o’clock. The amiable and gallant officer whose demise we have to lament, was the sou of Sir Lverard Home, SergeantSurgeon to George the Third, by the daughter of James Tunstall, Esq., D.D., relict of Stephen Thompson, Esq., nephew of Captain William Home, E. I. C. S., and ot John Hunter, Esq., Surgeon-General to the army. The first Baronet, Sir Everard Home, was the son of Robert Home,-Esq., of Greenlaw Castle, in the county of Berwick. He was brought up as a surgeon, and attained to very considerable eminence. His sister married the celebrated John Hunter, and, under that eminent man’s guidance, Everard Home was instructed and brought up. He practised for forty years in London, and was the author of numerous medical works, which are held in high repute. He became Sergeant-Surgeon to King George the Third, Surgeon to Chelsea Hospital, Vice-President of the Royal Society, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, was created a Baronet in 1813, and died in 1832. The late Sir James Everard Home was born 25th October, 1798, and entered the Navy, 10th of April, 1810, as midshipman on board the Euryalus, frigate, Captain the Honourable George Heneage Lawrence Dundas. Proceeding in that ship to the Mediterranean, ho there joined, in August, 1812, the Malta, 80, bearing the Hag of Sir Benjamin Hallowell, with whom, subsequently to the peace, be served, at Cork, on board the Tonnant, 80. On his ultimate arrival in the West Indies, in the Sybille, frigate, bearing the flag of Sir Horae',Pophara, he was promoted, on the 14th July, 1814, to a Lieutenancy in the Larne, 20, Captain Abraham Lowe, and next appointed to the Pique, 36, Captain John Mackellar. After a further servitude of eight months on the home station, in the Helicon, 10, in the year 1841, he was appointed Captain of Her Majesty’s ship, North Star, and served in her during the war with China, and also at the distmbances which subsequent! / took place at the Bay of Islands. I bis ship was paid off, we believe, in 1847, and on the 28th of November, 1850, Sir James Everard Horae assumed the comman 1 of the Calliope, 26, at Devonport, destined for the New Zealand station. When the Calliope was being towed oat to sea. Sir Everard met with a most unfortunate accident. The capstan bars flew out, and he was struck by one, and a very severe wound on bis head was inflicted. The ship was detained six wetks before be had sufficiently recovered from h's injuries to proceed upon the voyage. On the 2nd of March, 1851, the Calliope left Plymouth Sounds, for Australia, and arrived in Sydney during August of the same year. Since that period Sii Everard Home has occupied the position of commanding naval officer on this station. After refittingand refreshing in Sydney, the Calliope, visited New Zealand, the Auckland Islands, Van Diemen’s Land ; and having remained some time at bead quarters (Sydney), made another cruise to Norfolk Island, the Friendly Islands, Vavoa, the Feejees, New Hebrides, and several other groups in the South Seas, and returned to Sydney on the J9th December last. During these trips the health of Sir Everard, though evidently impaired by his recent accident, was tolerably good. During the si ay of the vessel in this harbour, however, he became more seriously indisposed. He proceeded, however, on another cruise to the neighbouring colonies and islands, and returned to Sydney, About three weeks ago he was struck by paralysis, and since that time considerable apprehensions had been en ertained by his-medical advisers. He expired, apparently with little suffering, last night, at half-past nine o’clock.

The gallant officer was devotedly attached to his profession, and he continued to follow it even after his health was impaired, at considerable personal sacrifice of ease and comfort, although the owner ot estates o very considerable value.

Allbough not prominently known in literary and scientific circles, Sir Everard’s tastes decidedly inclined to the study and the library. He was a good and zealous botanist, and bis opinions on all matters conceraing his own profession were deserving of respect. We believe he has made valuable contributions of specimens to scientific institutions at home. As a man he was kind, benevolent, and indulgent, even to a fault. He was esteemed by his officers, and warmly loved by his seamen. As an officer he was punctual, faithful, and efficient in the d scharge of his duties; and although bis career was not marked by brilliant achievement, in the hearts of those who knew him best, Lis memory will be treasured, on account of the many solid virtues and amiable amenities which distinguished bis character, and adorned his life. Sir Everard Home was not married, and the heir presumptive to bis estates is bis brother, the Rev. William Archibald Home, born in the year 1800. The remains of the gallant officer will be interred at Camperdown on Friday next.