OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21988, 24 June 1933, Page 11

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN W. F. CLARK The death occurred at his home, Warrender street, Dunedin, on Thursday of Captain William F. Clark, formerly Government surveyor of ships at Port Chalmers. Captain Clark joined the Marine Department at Wellington as surveyor of ships in 1917. He was transferred to Port Chalmers to fill a similar capacity in October, 1926, and retired on superannuation on May 31, 1931. Captain Clark was born iu Cornwall (England) in 1871. He received his education at Moseley College, Warwickshire, and, after serving for two years on his Majesty’s training ship Worcester, was apprenticed under the firm of Trinder, Anderson, and Co., of London. He made three voyages to Western Australia in a barque, and then joined the. Glen Steam Ship Line as fourth officer,, and rose to the position of third officer during his first year with the company. He made three voyages to China and Japan, and afterwards joined the Peninsular and Oriental Line, serving with that company for a short period. He then joined Messrs Bullard and King’s Line as third officer, and served for 18 months, trading from the Cape of Good Hope to Calcutta. Having obtained his first mate’s certificate, Mr Clark secured a berth as navigating officer of a tramp steamer trading to the East, China, and Japan. After one voyage he joined the Chesapeake and Ohio Line, trading to Virginia, as second officer. After four years’ service with this line, he obtained his master’s certificate. In December, 1899, Captain Clark entered the service of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, being appointed third officer of the old Tainui. He then joined the company’s steamer Rangatira, on which he served as third officer for two voyages, and then as second officer for four and a-half years, and for one year as chief officer. He was later appointed chief officer of the Maori, and made several voyages between England and New Zealand on that vessel. In 1907 Captain Clark resigned from the service of the Shaw, Savill Company, and went to England. During the same year he brought the Ennerdale from England to Wellington. The Ennerdale was the first vessel built for the Maoriland Shipping Company. Captain Clark had charge of the ship fox several years in the coastal and intercolonial trade. In 1910 Captain Clark was in command of the steamer Lauderdale, also owned by the Maoriland Shipping Company. The Lauderdale was wracked on the Greymouth bar on the morning of June 21,- 1910, The ship was crossing* the bar when she touched the bottom slightly. This caused her to take a sheer, and before she could be straightened up or her way- cheeked, she ran ashore in the Grey River between the north breakwaters. Successful efforts to extricate the ship from her position were made, but in going astern the Lauderdale was driven across the river towards the south, and the port side of the ship struck on some submerged object—later thought to be a portion of the wreck of the steamer Hawea —which pierced her bilges. The Lauderdale made water rapidly. After getting the ship off Captain Clark found that she would not answer the helm, but he succeeded in backing her out past the south tiphead. The captain made repeated requests for assistance, but when there was no appearance of a tug from Greymouth he decided to anchor the Lauderdale in a safe position, and as close to the shore as possible. About noon Captain Clark was advised that no assistance could be given, and the weather having become worse, he decided to beach the vessel. This was accomplished about two miles up the beach from the south side of the Greymouth bar. The crew succeeded in reaching the shore safely by' rocket apparatus. A nautical inquiry concerning the disaster lasted several days, and the finding of the court was that no blame was to Captain Clark or his officers for the loss of the Lauderdale. This was the only disaster in which Captain Clark was involved during the many years he sailed the Seven Seas. After his retirement Captain Clark resided at Temuka until about five months ago, when he removed to Dunedin with his family. He leaves a widow and two sons and one daughter. MAJOR PERCIVAL GREENOUGH (Per United Press Association.! . AUCKLAND, June 23. ; The well-known artillery officer, Major Percival Greenough, died in the Auckland Hospital, following an operation. He was 62 years of age, and had a lifelong association with the artillery.* When the Great War broke out Major Greenough was the first officer from the Garrison Artillery to be allowed to go on active service. He had to accept a reduction in rank to lieutenant, and was sent to Egypt. On his return he filled for a time the post of adjutant of the Dunedin area, later returning to Auckland. He is survived by Mrs Greenough, one son, and. one daughter.