LONG CAREER AT SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23284, 1 March 1939, Page 13

LONG CAREER AT SEA

* CAPTAIN A. JOHNSON 32 YEARS IN ONE SERVICE LAST VOYAGE IN COMMAND After 32 years' service with the Northern Steamship Company, both as mate and master, 20 years being on the Auckland-Whangarei steamer service, Captain A. Johnson made his last trip last night, when he brought the Ranginui from Whangarei to - Auckland. It is his intention to leave on a holiday'- trip to England next month. , , Captain .Johnson went to sea at .tlie age of 13, and has visited all parts of the world. Over 35 years ago he was second mate on the barque Savenake, which, when bound from San Francisco to New Zealand, struck a reef off the island of Clementinaire. The ship broke up so quickly that the crew had no time to take to the boats. All that they, could do was to unlash one lifeboat. They reached the shore safely, and the lifeboat was later x washed up. , After 63 days on the island, with little food, and a number of the men sick, the position, became desperate, and it was decided to sail the lifeboat to Taliiti, 700 miles away. Lots were cast as to who would man the boat, and Captain Johnson was one to whom the lot fell. With only coconuts to keep them alive, the boat was sailed to Tahiti with only the stars to guide them. The French gunboat Zeiee was sent to pick up the remainder of iliß crew. - For some years Captain Johnson was in the intercolonial trade, being second mate on both the Neptune and the Elda Barron. Prior t9 leaving Whangarei on his last trip he was presented bv the Whangarei Harbour Board with a framed photograph of the town.