OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 5 April 1933, Page 4

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN WILLIAM McLEAN

Captain William McLean, who died at Invercargill last month at the age of 91 years, removes another of our respected early master mariners (states the “Southern Cross”). He was born at Irvine, Scotland, and in. early life de veloped a love for the life of a sailor His parents granted his wish, and he moved from port to port, even following the calling from vessel to vessel, always studying with a view to promotion. Then the day came when he got his first mate’s certificate, and later he received his master’s ticket. In the coastal waters of Mew Zealand and Australia, in years gone by, he was a familiar fig.ure. For a considerable period he was in charge of vesse s in the late W. S. Waterston’s fleet, which was engaged in carrying timber from Invercargill to Australia, together with coal from Newcastle to limit. Among the ships with which the late Captain McLean was associated as master was the schooner Maid of Otago, trading on the coast of New Zealand in 1878 and 1879. Other of his ships in New Zealand waters were the schooner Crest of the Wave, the barque Fiedeiick Bassil, the schooner Maiy Ogilvie, the steamer Jane, the brigantine Gleaner, the vessel Douglas, the Lady Beaumont, the colonial trading vessel Annie Hilt (121 tons register), Sarah and Mary, Cerce. Ino (wrecked in Fortrose harbour in 1886 as the result of bumping on the river bar), and the colonial trading schooner Gleaner. Captain McLean also served as mate under James H. Yorke, on the T. B. Taylor in 1872. After Captain McLean gave up the sea lie was dredgemaster for the Invercargill Borough. .. n n The surviving familv are: Mrs GRobinson, Invercargill: Mrs M. Hall. Christchurch; Mr A. W. McLean, Nelson : Mr Angus McLean, Auckland; Mr C S. McLean, Nelson; Mr A. McLean, 19 Jenkin street, South Invercargill. One son, Joseph Samuel, died in Los Angeles on 10th July, 1930.

MR J. MURRELL The death occurred on Sunday, 2nd April, at his home in Wellington, of Air John Murrell on his 77th birthday. Mr ATnrrell was born at Williams-, town, Victoria, his father being Captain Lee Murrell. He left Australia 38 years ago to open the New Zealand branch "of the shipping firm Huddart, Parker, Ltd., and was later connected with the New Zealand Shipping Company. He was very popular and did valuable work in a number of philant/hropic movements. Mr Murrell s eldei son, Captain Sidney A. Alurrell, was killed in the war. He is survived by his widow and three daughters. Airs George Bruce, Mrs N. Stewart, and Airs H, Rawlinson, all of Wellington, and a son, Air D. J. Alurrell, who now lives in Sydney. 'The"late Air Alurrell will be remembered by many in the Nelson district where he made numerous friends when lie was manager of the. Golden Bay Shipping Company. It was during that period that the name of the veteran coastal vessel Lady Barkly was changed to Hina. MR ERNEST J. BURT

After a lingering illness of eight days, following the contraction of small-pox, Air Ernest J. Burt, third engineer on the Douglas Company’s steamer Haiching. passed away at the Kennedy Town Isolation Hospital early yesterday morning, reports the “Hong Kong Daily Mail’’ of 4th March. Air Burt came to [long Kong from Nelson, New Zealand, where he served his apprenticeship with (he Anchor Shipping Company,_ oyer two years ago, joining the local shipping firm of Messrs S. Williamson and Co. Last August lie transferred to the Douglas Company, joining the Haicliing. He was one of the most popular mariners in the Douglas fleet. The funeral took place at Happy Valley a large number of friends following the cortege to the graveside. Among those who attended were Air S. Williamson, Air T. Ramsay, Air L. White, Captain Farrar 0.8. E., and Aiessrs Duxen, Kivile, Derry aiid Langley of the Haicliing, and Alessrs Johnson, Abbey, E. Neil, Patterson, Fleming, Harrigan, Smith and Captains Laurenson and Wilkens, all of whom sent wreaths. Wreaths were also laid on the grave from friends aboard the steamers Kamona, Kaiapoi. Kaitangata, Kamo, Korimoko, Svale and Ivaituna.