OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 258, 31 October 1925, Page 15

OBITUARY.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM GORDON. WELL-KNOWN -IN SHIPPING CIRCLES. THRILLING EXPERIENCE IN BARQUE LUTTERWORTH. The death occurred at the Auckland Hospital yesterday, of Captain William Gordon, an official of the Auckland Marine Department. The late Captain Gordon, who was in his forty-fourth year, was extremely popular with his associates and well known in local shipping circles. As a mark of respect to the late captain, flags on the waterfront and on vessels in port were flown at half mast. At one time he was master of the barque Rona and in later years was in the employ of the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company. While with the last named company he was in charge of the steamer Calm on her voyage from South America to New Zealand. He joined the ranks of the Marine Department about seven years ago and for some time held the position of harbour master at Picton. He was transferred to Auckland five years ago. Captain Gordon was in good health until Saturday last when he complained of feeling ill. On Sunday he underwent an operation at the Auckland Hospital, but death occurred yesterday. Captain Gordon, who was predeceased by his wife about four months ago, is survived by three young children. During his residence in Auckland he made many friends, both afloat ashore. He was a keen bowler, and at one time won the championship of his club, the Ellerslie. A Close Call. Captain Gordon served his time in 'sail, and got his master's ticket before he went into steam. He had an exciting experience in the well-known barque Lutterworth, which was originally one of the Shaw. Savill fleet, and was afterwards bought by Messrs Turnbull and Co., of Christehurch, who, however, did not own her long, as she was dismasted a few months later during a terrific gale in Cook's Straits, the crew being providentially saved by the Union Company's Penguin, which some years later left her own bones in this stormy strait. Captain Gordon was mate of the'Lutterworth at the time, and in referring to the story later frankly admitted 'that not a man on the vessel ever expected to get ashore alive. It happened in October. 1906. the barque then being bound from Timaru to the Kaipara where she was to load timber for 'Melbourne.

The trouble began when the steering gear carried away during heavy weather at the entrance <to the straits. Then the shingle ballast shifted and the vessel was thrown on her beam ends. When she heeled over the water came up to the combings of the main hatch and the lee yard-arms were under water. It looked as though that was the last of the barque, which had weathered many a gale in her career qf over thirty years. Captain Hicks ordered the masts to be cut away. This was a difficult task owing to the angle at which the vessel lay on the water. She had such a list oh that men actually crawled along on the weather side ou the outside of the hull. Mrs. Hicks, wife of the captain, was making the trip, and she had to be hauled out of the cabin with a rope. Site behaved 'splendidly during the terrible ordeal which she shared with the eighteen of a crew that the vessel carried. When the masts went overboard with a crash the straining vessel was relieved, and some of the crew going below made frantic efforts to get the ballast straightened up. but the loose shingle flowed around them like water, and their task was hopeless. All this time the barque was driving nearer the land and the rocks, and for 24 hours the crew waited for death. They abandoned all superfluous clothing, as they felt sure they would have to battle through the sea as a last chance of getting ashore. Captain Hicks had his right arm broken while bringing up lifebelts, and Mrs. Hicks was also knocked about. An attempt was made to launch the ship's boats, but both were smashed to splinters and all hope was abandoned, .lust, however, a* the unfortunate men, Just when everything seemed over the ing under the lee of the bulwarks for 2-t hours: it was very cold weather. Just when everything seemed over the steamer Pensniin hove in sight. and launching a life-boat took the crew of tl-o Lutterworth off, but only with difficulty. Tho derelict d'd not go ashore after all. but was picked up later by the Aorere and the Dueo. and towed into Wellington where she was turned into a hulk. MR. A. MACINTOSH. One of the best known residents at the Auckland Infirmary passed away recently in the person of "Mr. A. Mcintosh. He had lived at the Homo for years, but previously had held many responsible positions in the city and was traveller for some of the largest wholesale houses. He had been a great sufferer and latterly had been wheeled about the grounds in a chair. Despite his many afflictions he was a cheery soul, and his good humour never deserted him. He was a general favourite with visitors arid was invariably chosen to return thanks when concert parties visited the institution. MR. JOHN WARNOCK. The death yesterday at his residence, Xewton Road, of Mr. John Warnock, removed a colonist of over 62 years' standing. Deceased was in his seventythird year, and came to Auckland with his parents from Ireland in the ship Ganges, which reached the waters of the Waitemata on October 14. 1863. Mr. Warnock was the youngest brother of Mr. R. T- Warnock. of Richmond, and is, therefore, uncle of the Deputy-Mayor. Mr. J. A. Warnock. The interment toolplace this afternoon, the service being conducted by the Rev. H. X. Drummond. Mrs. Warnock survives her husband. MR. FRED. WATSON. fßy Telegraph.—Press Association.! NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. The death is announced of Mr. Fred. Wateon, formerly a well known horse owner, who raced Battle Axe, Okoare, and other successful performers. A VETERAN JOURNALIST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! ELTHAM, this day. The death is announced of Mr. H. Carrick, a veteran New Zealand journalist, for many years nub-editor of the "Elthain Argus."