AN OLD-TIME MARINER.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 219, 15 September 1924, Page 8

AN OLD-TIME MARINER.

j CAPTAIN CKOMARTY HONOURED. FAST TRIP UP THE COAST. There are many ibid seafaring men who remember Captain Alex. Cromarty, who traded to New Zealand in the seventies and the eighties. He was recognised as one of the most skilful and gallant seamen that ever traded to our shores. He first came to the Dominion in the Araby Maid, but he became better known when he got transferred to the Ben Cleugh, which on one occasion under full sail made the trip from Port Chalmers to Auckland in three days, the record trip between the two ports. Captain James Macfarlane, who Uvea at Calliope Road, Devonport, and who celebrates his ninety-fourth birthday on Wednesday, in speaking on the subject, I spid that he was harbourmaster at Port Chalmers at the time the. ship made the I trip, and the occasion was considered of j so much importance that he wae sailed i upon to verify the time the beautifully designed and trim sailer left the southern port. He wae so taken with the performance of the ship and her fine appearance as she cleared Port Chalmers Heads that he asked the captain, who was an artist of considerable ability, to paint him a picture of tile ship as she appeared when sailing in the open sea. That picture was one of his most treasured possessions, and is, indeed, a fine one. On the advent of steamships the Ben Cleugh was sold to a Norwegian firm, who had on previous occasions tried to buy the ship. Captain Cromarty did not take on another command, but became marine superintendent of the Ben Line of ships, which traded.to China, and had a good Baltic trade too. The headquarters of the line are at Leith, and. although the old master mariner is 86 years of age, he is still taking an active interest in his principals' affairs, and leading a very busy life. Captain Cromarty, who is the oldest surviving member of Trinity House, of Leith, lately had hie picture painted by one of the beet artists in Scotland, at the .■ request of his brother members, so that I it might be hung on the walls of the [ ancient building, which was founded i centuries ago. The portrait was un-j veiled early-in July by Sir J. Wiahartj . Thomson, X.8.C., who spoke of the unique honour which had been done their old companion and friend, which would be appreciated by his friends in many parts of the world, especially New Zealand, to which country he had traded in the early days, for only portraits of distinguished men were ever hung on the ancient walls of Leith Trinity House.