DEATH OF CAPTAIN BABOT

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1626, 29 April 1903, Page 66 (Supplement)

DEATH OF CAPTAIN BABOT

CLOSE OF AN ADVENTUROUS LIFE. We regret to announce the death of another old and well-known resident of Wellington Captain Edwin Sinel Babot, who was until the end of last year marine superintendent at Wellington for the Shaw, Saviil and Albion Company. Captain Babot had been in poor health for some months prior to retiring from this position, and the rest from his duties did not bring about any improvement in his health. He died a/o 9 p.m. on tho 22nd inst. Born at the great shipping port of Southampton when George IV. -was King, Edwin Babot there quickened a liking for the sea which was inherited from his father, then a captain in the Channel Islands trade. Edwin Babot was educated at Greenwich College, and in 1846 first stepped a deck as apprentice on a vessel in the South American service. Four years later he passed as second mate, and shipped in that capacity on the Catherine, an Indian trader. Returning to* England, he shipped from the Mersey, again as second mate, this time on the John Bunyan, but before leaving the river was called upon to take up the duties of first mate. In 1855, before the next voyage, lie had passed as master, and then took command of the vessel. He kept that position for two yeai's, and then settled down in London as a “coach,” preparing mercantile marine officers for examination. Yielding again to the desire for travel, Captain Babot, in 1859, joined the Wild Duck as first officer, and in her he first visited New Zealand, making Wellington liis port cf call. For the next few years, in command of the ships Vicar of Bray and William Miles, he improved his acquaintance with the young settlements here. That was the time of the brisk emigration to Australia, and already each vessel was beginning to carry a quota of venturesome passengers to the terra incognita beyond. The opportunities afforded by the outbreak of the Civil War in America, caused a break in Captain Babot’s connection with the colonial trade, land the took a part share in the ownership of the Baltimore clipper Lovebird, in which he was to have memoi'able experiences. The Lovebird, with Captain Babot in command, cleared from London with a cargo of contraband goods, including 75,000 Enfield rifles and a large quantity of ammunition, destined „.for the troops of Mexico. Captain ILbot made for Matamorais, a port on the border of

Mexico and Texas, and successfully ran tho blockade and entered the harbour. This was not the end of his troubles, however, for he found tho place in possession of the French, who were then interfering w'itli armed force with the Government of Mexico*. The Lovebird and her cargo wore promptly seized, and her captain taken prisoner. Ho was allowed parole, but could not lcavo the country for twelve months, when ho was released. He immediately chartered a Spanish steamer, which he loaded with firearms for Cuba. Arrived at Havana, lie disposed cf the cargo to advantage, and had there the satisfaction of recovering his clipper the Lovebird, the detention of which was held to bo illegal. The Lovebird took in a cargo of sugar for Havre, and then proceeded to London, where she was sold. Captain Babot was next appointed to tlio command of the ship Water Nymph, in which he resumed voyaging to this colony. The Water Nymph was tho first direct ship to land cargo at the Bluff. On her next voyage she called at Auckland, and afterwards went, to Oamaru, where she was wrecked on tlio beach in "a gale. Returning to England, Captain Babot took charge of the Hydaspes, in which he remained in the colonial trade for thirteen years, calling at Melbourne and Sydney, and occasionally crossing to New Zealand. Tho Hydaspes was final te run down by a steamer in the Channel, and sank off Dun gen css. In 1889 Captain Babot made a voyage to Wellington in tho steamer Northumberland. After his return to England he superintended the building at Glasgow of the steamer Kent for Messrs Money, Vagram and Company. He commanded her on two voyages to Australian ports and New Zealand, and was then appointed marine superintendent in London for the Shaw, Saviil and Albion Company. He came to Wellington in tho same capacity in May, 1884, and held the position until retiring on pension as stated. Captain Babot was a widower, and left no* children.