OBITUARY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9623, 31 March 1917, Page 8

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN FERDINAND HOLM. The death occurred at his residence, Fatanga crescent, last night of Captain Ferdinand Holm, one of the most popular and widely known shipmasters in -the Dominion, and principal owner of the coastal steamer John. Deceased, who had been confined to his bed for the past three weeks by illness, took a turn for the worse yesterday, and passed away at about 10 o’clock in the evening. The late Captain Holm, who was 73 years of age, was born at Stockholm. He took up the seafaring life when ho was fourteen years of age, and was placed in charge of a small schooner belonging to his father and trading on (he Swedish lakes. Ho came out to Australia before the mast in a Bailing ship called Queen of the North. This wae about the year 1865, and the gold rush was then on in Victoria. He left the sea temporarily to try Ms luck on the goldfields. Later, however, he again took up the seafaring Ufe t and pa seaman joined the vessel called Annie Melhuish, a barque owned by the late Captain W. Williams. Later ho joined the Now Zealand’.Government steamer Sturt, under Captain Fairchild. The Sturt was then running during the excitement' of the Maori war. He acted as pilot at Wellington later, and his first command was the barque Ladybird. He was also in charge of the Gleaner, and the inter-colonial-ships Sea Hippie, Malay, Neptune, Kentish Lass, G.M.. Tucker, and Frowning Beauty. Later he became owner of the well-known barque Helen Denny, after which ht> commanded the Holmdale, and later went Home and brought out the steamer Enncrdalo for the Maorilnnd Steamship Company. Following on this he took charge of the same company’# largest steamer, Lauderdale. On severing his connection with this company he went to England— and brought out the steamer John for himself and his sons. Latex he assumed command of the sailing ship Titanda, but that vessel was accidentally wrecked at "New Caledonia owing to the lights being extinguished there. This meant a serious loss to Captain Holm, as he was the principal owner. The late captain leaves behind him a widow and a grown-up family. Captain Sydney Holm, Ms eldest son, resides at Wanganui, where he has acted as agent of the John. Another son, who has been chief engineer of the John, recently went into camp, and the third son. Mariner Holm, proceeded to England some mouths ago and joined the British N ary.