A WORTHY RECORD

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 153, 26 December 1918, Page 5

A WORTHY RECORD

CAPTAIN MANNING'S LIFE AT,

SEA,

The life story of Captain Walter Manning, whose retirement frozm the Union Steam Ship Company's service was recently announced, makes particularly interesting reading. Captain Manning was born in London, arid before he was eight years old he >had been left an orphan. After receiving an ordinary education, he was apprenticed at the age of thirteen to a London engineering firm. Owing to delicate health, however, he had to can' eel his indentures after three and a-half years' service, and it was then that he turned to the sea. Young Manning served his apprenticeship on the barques Warren Hastings and Isabella Blyth, and it was on these vessels that he first experienced the hardships of ajseafaring life. He visited Mauritius on several occasions, and also crossed the Atlantic more than once. Subsequently he joined the Duke of Edinburgh (Captain M'lnnis), which was bound for Wellington. He reached here in 1873, and then entefed the coastal ferade, serving on several vessels as seaman. Oversea aailers, however, again attracted his attention, and he made trips in the Glenlorah and the Howrah. On his return to New Zealand he joined the Government paddle steamer Luna (nnder the late Captain Fairchild). He served for a few months in that vessel, but later joined the ketch Falcon as mate. He then secured his Home master's certificate, and was in charge of the schooners Otaki and Shepherdess. -

In 1876 the veteran master joined the New Zealand Steam Shipping Co., and he was appointed mate of the Jane Douglas, which vessel he later commanded. Some months later he was put in charge of the Stormbird, .Hhen engaged in the Wanganui trade. In 1380 he passed his examination for a foreigngoing master's certificate, and he joined the Union Company's service, in which he 1 received rapid promotion. He has had charge of many of the red-funnel steamers, but he lias been more particularly associated with theAVaihi, Penguin, Rotomahana, Mararoa, and Maori in the Wellington-Lyttelton ferry service. He may well be termed the father of the service. He was appointed to the Maori in November, 1907, and he held the post until his retirement. Captain Manning claims to have crossed Cook • Strait about 6000 times between 18?3 and 1918.

Captain Manning holds the record of the Union Company for continuous command. He supplied the following particulars to a Post reporter: Captain Bernech joined the Union Company in 1877 and retired in 1910, after 33 years. Captain Neville joined the company in 1883 and retired in 1917, after 34 years; Captain Manning joined the company in 1882 (as master) and retired in 1918, after 36 years' service.