SHIPPING IN OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27025, 9 March 1949, Page 2

SHIPPING IN OTAGO

NONAGENARIAN’S DEATH EARLY HISTORY RECALLED The death occurred in Dunedin on February 25 of Mrs Annie Cameron, who was born in Wellington in 1857. In 1882 she married the late Captain Angus Cameron, who had a lifetime association with shipping in New Zealand. He was one of the founders of the Union Steam Ship Company, which he joined as its first marine superintendent in 1878. He became a member of the board of directors of the company in 1906. Captain Cameron arrived in Port Chalmers in his own topsail schooner the United Brothers. He also owned the Yarra, Captain McCallum, Three Brothers, Captain Mathison and Dutch Gulliot, which were employed in the coastal trade and carried cargo from overseas ships at Port Chalmers to Dunedin before the railway line was completed. About 1878 he visited the Clyde, where he supervised the construction of the iron barque Otago, which was built to his own design. After sailing her for two years he sold her in Adelaide for delivery in London. She was later commanded by Joseph Conrad, the famous author, who mentions the vessel in several of his stories. In memory of him the steering wheel was recently presented to Trinity House, London, by Mr Churchill. The price of shipbuilding having increased, he joined the Loch Line, of Glasgow, as master of the Ben Ledl. After several fast passages in her between London and Australia he was appointed “ ships’ husband ” for the company in London. He later took the Loch Lomond to Montreal and back, and then left the company in order to build a steamship. This was the Wakatipu, with which Captain Cameron instituted the inter-colonial trade later carried on by the Union Steam Ship Company,, who purchased the vessel. Captain Cameron joined the company as marine superintendent, a position he held for 28 years, during which time, except for several years spent in superintending the building of new steamers overseas, he was stationed in Dunedin. Captain Cameron became a director of the company and held that position until his death in 1909. Mrs Cameron lived in Dunedin from 1882, during which time she paid two visits to England. She was one of the oldest members of Knox Church, a life member of the Free Kindergarten Association, and a foundation member of the Women’s Club. She is survived by one son, Dr P. D. Cameron, of Wellington.