SHIP SURVEYOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23428, 18 August 1939, Page 11

SHIP SURVEYOR

CAPTAIN A. DAVIES TRIBUTE FROM THE STAFF DEPARTURE FOR DUNEDIN The staff of the Marine Department yesterday farewelled Captain A. Davies. nautical surveyor of ships, who has been promoted to the position of superintendent of mercantile marine at Dunedin. Captain W. Wilcox, the Auckland superintendent, said Captain Davies was a highly capable officer, who yas widely respected in shipping circles. He and the members of the staff were losing the companionship of a staunch friend. On behalf of the assembly, Captain L. Robinson, one of the surveyors, handed the guest a piece of engraved plate. Captain Davies, a Londoner by birth, spent the first 12 years of his sea-going life in sailing ships of the Shaw-Savill Line, trading mainly to New Zealand and Australia. Among tlie sailing vessels on which he served were the Westland, Taranaki, Lutterworth, Akaroa and Hinomoa, the names of.which will revive many memories of the days of the white wings.

Later lie was "tramping" to India and the East, and then in 1908 joined the Union Steam Ship Company. In 1914 he was appointed pilot of the Wellington Harbour Board, but serious illhealth compelled him to resign. When he recovered he again felt the lure of sail and became master of the barquentine Ysabel, in which for two years he traded to San Francisco and the Pacific Islands. In 1920 he joined the department as nautical surveyor at Auckland, and has Berved at this port ever since, relieving the superintendent on occasions.