RETIRING FROM SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22755, 16 December 1935, Page 16

RETIRING FROM SEA

UNION COMPANY MASTERS CAPTAINS E. HARRIS AND SPRING-BROWN When the motor ship Hauraki reached hero on Thursday Captain E. Harris, one of the best-known masters in the service of the Union Steam Ship Company, relinquished his command and entered upon his retirement. Captain Harris was born at Tuapeka, Otago, (II years ago, and served his apprenticeship with the New Zealand Shipping Company before securing his second mate’s F.G. certificate in London in February, 1890. He joined the service of the Union Steam Ship Company on October 27, 1889, as third officer of the Rotomahana, and served in various vessels in that capacity before being promoted to second officer of the Warrimoo on May 15, 1902. On December 19 of the following year he was appointed chief officer of the Poherua, serving in various vessels during the next three years. On June 5, 1908, Captain Harris was appointed to his first command, the Pukaki, and during his 27 years’ service as master he has commanded many wellknown vessels of the company—Kotuku, Waipori, Kaiapoi, Whangapc, Mararoa, Moana, Mokoia, Waitomo (for a period of over six years), Navua, Waihora, Garbeta, Kekerangu, Maunganui (temporarily), Sussex, Karetu, Waikawa, Waiotnpu and Waihemo. In March, 1028, he was appointed to command the oil tanker Otokia, of which he was master for approximately five years, since when he has been in charge of the Narbada in the Calcutta service and the Hauraki in the Pacific Coast service. Captain Harris intends to reside in the South Island, mainly in Dunedin. When the motor liner Aorangi roaches Sydney on December 28 from Vancouver, via Auckland, another well-known Union Company master, Captain J. F. SpringBrown, will retire. Captain SpringBrown has commanded the Aorangi since February, 1931, and has been very popular with the travelling public. Born at Liverpool in 1871, Cuptain SpringBrown served in sail for six years and in steam for five before joining the service of the Union Steam Ship Company on January 8, 1900, as extra third officer of the Waikare. He was appointed second officer of the Pateena in September, 1901, and chief officer of the old Rawatiri in July, 1905. His first command was the old Wainui, of which he was appointed master on May 11, 1910. He held command of the Loongana from 1912 till 1915, and commanded the Mokoia during the war years, 1915-18. Other well-known vessels which he subsequently commanded were: Mararoa, Mocraki, Willoehra, Maheno, Wairnna, Taihiti, Makura, Maunganui, Manuka, Sussex, Marama, Niagara and Monowai. After his retirement Captain SpringBrown will live at Vaucluse, Sydney.