AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20272, 4 June 1929, Page 12

AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

ONCE MORE IN SYDNEY. OLD SEA CAPTAIN AMAZED. Memories of the days when clipper sailing ships loaded wool at Circular Quay, Sydney, for Great Britain and the Continent are recalled by Captain W. J. Rout, who has returned to settle, in Sydney after an absence of 50 years. As a member of the crew of the sailing ship Brodick Castle, Captain Rout spent a month in Sydney in 1879. " The ship brought out fiom London a cargo of material for the Centennial Exhibition which took place at Sydney that year," Captain Rout, staled last week in an interview. " We anchored in Darling Harbour, and after discharge loaded coal for San Francisco,

"Although I have not had much time to look around, 1 must say I am astonished at the progress the city has made in half a-century," Captain Rout proceeded. " I havo been 55 years at- sea, and have seen most of the cities oi the world. Iu company with cities .such as San Erancisco, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, Sydney has made amazing headway. It'has'been said that of all the cities in the world Sydney has made the most progress, and I would not dispute that. ■ , "What changes have taken place: mused Captain Roul. " I"ast ferry boats steam in and out of Circular Quay, where once there was sail. Green, sunny lulls rising up from the foreshore are now dotted with buildings and homes . . . Captain Rout has had a splendid sea .record. Thirteen years' experience on sailing ships was followed by 42 years with steamers. For 38 years Captain Rout commanded British cargo vessels trading to all parts of the world. He retired last August with a clean lecoid at Lloyd's. - - ii r ti Captain Rout speaks wistfully ot the days of sailing ships. 1 I Inferred davs of sad," he said. ' «r 0 romance in a seafaring lite then. " 0 must all admit, however l J iaL had to come in the march of The fastest- voyage made by Captain II out in a sailing ship was ton, Tasmania, to London, in 7j dajs.