LONG CAREER AT SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21744, 8 March 1934, Page 10

LONG CAREER AT SEA

CAPTAIN KEMPSON'S DEATH OLD SHAW, SAVILL VETERAN FIFTY-FOUR YEARS* SERVICE Fifty-four years' service with the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Limited, was the record of Captain C. H. Kempson, news of whose death at Paignton, South Devon, on January 23, at the age of 82, has been received by the New Zealand office of the company. A man of fine character, he was in command of tho Athenic for over 11 years. Many thousands. of New , Zealanders travelled with him, and he had many friends in the Dominion. In fact, on his last voyage, 21 years ago, he remarked that ho had far more friends, and knew far more people in New Zealand than he did in England. Captain Kempson was 44 years at sea. After his retirement from sea service he was appointed marine superintendent at Plymouth for the White Star Line and associated companies, from which'position he retired in 1923. He was one of the few men who served his apprenticeship with the White Star Lino and remained with it during the whole of his career at sea. In all he made 70 round-the-world voyages, 64 of which were in the New Zealand trade. During the whole of his long service at sea ho did not have a single mishap. Ho made 27 voyages in the Athenic during his command o,f that vessel of over 11 years.

Captain Kempson's first visit to New Zealand was made in 1883 as'third officer of the first lonic, on her maiden voyage. Subsequently he was promoted to second officer. In that capacity ho transferred to the Coptic in May, 1884, and he afterwards served as chief 'officer in the same sliip. In June, 1889, he received his appointment as master in the White Star Line, his first command being the old Oceanic, the pioneer steamer of the line. A few months later he was appointed to the Coptic in the New Zealand service. He transferred to the Doric in January, 1893, and 10 months later to the first lonic, of which he had command in the New Zealand service until she was sold in 1900. The next command held by Captain Kempson was that of the Runic, on her maiden voyage to Australia in 1900. After making two voyages in her he went to Belfast to take command of the Athenic when she was delivered by her builders in December, 1901. The Athenic was the first of the well-known trio of sister-ships especially built for the New Zealand trade, the others being the Corinthio and second lonic, and for many, years these vessels were the largest in the New Zealand trade. Early in his sea-going career Captain Kempson joined the Royal Naval Reserve. He received his first commission as lieutenant in 1886, ami in 1897 was placed on the retired list. Under his command the Athenic always flew the Naval Reserve flag. When he was appointed marine superintendent at Plymouth 21 years ago, he was the senior employee of the White Star Line.