“Sailed Anything that Would Carry Canvas”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 392, 28 June 1928, Page 1

“Sailed Anything that Would Carry Canvas”

OLD SEA-DOG’S DEATH LATE CAPTAIN NICHOLSON Probably the best-known figure on the Auckland waterfront, and one of a fast-diminishing race of old sea-dogs, Captain John William Nicholson died, at the age of 80 years, at the public hospital at 3.30 this morning, after an attack of bronchitis. Captain Nicholson gave up a public school career in England, to go to sea, and arrived in New Zealand in the Normahal in 1863. tie joined Captain Trayte, known as the “pioneer of the Pacific,” and for many vears traded in the Islands. Prom the Islands, Captain Nicholson returned to New Zealand, and served for many years on coastal vessels. BACK FROM THE DEAD One of the feats of his career was the bringing of the hulk Defiance back to port. Then In the employ of the Devonport Steam Perry Company, the

skipper was on the hulk when she broke away during a storm from the tug which was bringing her to Auckland from Kaipara. The Defiance was driven almost over to Australia before the gale abated, and everyone had given the mariner up as lost, when one day, about a month later, he sailed the old Defiance proudly up the Waitemata. It was that fact which earned him ■ the reputation of being able to sail anything that would carry canvas. On another occasion he brought the oil-launch Vanora up to Auckland from Nelson single-handed—another great feat of seamanship. He survived three wrecks during his long career, one of which was the wreck of the Wairarapa. He also served for some time as mate of the McGregor on the West Coast. Captain Nicholson was also in the employ of the Marine Department for several years and sailed on the Hinemoa. CALL OF THE OCEAN In 1909 Captain Nicholson retired from active service and signed on as part-time preventive officer on the wharf staff of the Customs Department. During the last 18 years right up till a week ago Captain Nicholson was never known to fail once to report for duty. Captain Nicholson’s son. Mr. George Nicholson, won fame as a member of the 1905 All Blacks.