CAREER AT SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26792, 8 June 1948, Page 6

CAREER AT SEA

CAPTAIN EPHRAIM HARRIS DEATH OF MASTER MARINER The death ocurred -in Dunedin on Saturday, after a short illness, of Captain Ephraim Harris, a well-known personality in shipping! circles until his retirement in 1935 when he was commodore of the Union Steam Ship Company’s fleet. Born at Arrowtown, he received his early education at the George Street School, Dunedin, and after some years of apprenticeship to engineering in Sparrow’s foundry, was articled with the New Zealand Shipping Company as an officer cadet. Several years were

spent in sailing ships on voyages to all ports of the world, many times by the Cape Horn route. In 1898, Captain Harris joined the Union Steam Ship Company as third mate of the Rotomahana, and 10 years later became master of the Pukaki. During his long seafaring career, he was master of no fewer than 24 vessels, among these being the Mokoia, Hauraki, Waitomo, Maunganui, and Otakia. His last ship was the Narbada. For years he was engaged in the New Zealand coastal passenger trade. During the First World War, he was in command of troop transports from Wellington to the Middle East. He was an authority on the islands of the Pacific, and for years he was freighting from the Pacific coast ports of the United States and Canada. In later years he called regularly at Calcutta and Singapore. He held pilotage exemption certificates for the whole of New Zealand and Australia, and during his entire career had the creditable records of having no mishaps in navigation. He was one of the world’s authorities on the intricate navigation of Torres Straits.

As a master, Captain Harris was popular with his subordinate officers. He was of a reserved but kindly disposition. Since his retirement from the sea, he lived quietly in Dunedin. He was keenly interested in the Otago Early Settlers’ Association. As a Freemason he held office in several Masonic lodges, taking the higher degrees. Captain Harris was not married. The funeral took place yesterday.