SEAMAN’S DYING REQUEST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 7 October 1936, Page 5

SEAMAN’S DYING REQUEST

ASHES SCATTERED RITE AT SYDNEY HEADS SYDNEY, Sept. 21. When the inter-Stale collier William Macarthur was abreaa of Sydney Heads on its way from Newcastle to Melbourne 011 Saturday evening, the engines .were stopped and all hauls assembled on deck. The master, Ciptain G. E. Scrivner, pronounced the ast rites and scattered overboard the ashes of William Cunning Walker. Tie ship then quietly steamed on her way. Walker, familiarly known in shipping circles as “Old Tom,’ was the doyen of licensed seamen in .Australia. Last, week lie died iter a short illness, hut before his death he asked his employers to arrange tint his ashes should no scattered to the fair winds from the deck of the William llacarthnr, his last ship. Ills remains vere cremated and ids ashes sent to Neveasfle on Friday. There they were pined on hoard the William Macarthur bd'ore she sailed for Melbourne on Satimby afternoon. UNCERTAIN AGE

“Old Tom” was uinM'tain of his exact age. Once lie wrote to the authorities in Ireland seeking a copy of his birth certificate. The reply stated that records of births did not date back beyond 1868. “Old Tom” calculator that he was •“at least 83, but possiblyß6.” A native of the Noth of Ireland, he served in many farnou sailing ships before coining to Austraia about 30 years ago. For the last 20 fears lie was employed by R. W. Milltr and C'o., Ltd., and was regarded by the company as one of its best seamen, lie was held in such high esteem that when lie became unfitted for active sea.work about four months ago, he was [iven permanent quarters at the cotnpaiv's depot. Towards the end of last, year, while a member of the crev! of the William Macarthur, "Old Tin” -.contracted double pneumonia as the vessel was steaming up the coast t< Newcastle, 'the steamer put in to Edh, and lie was placed in hospital. Ajthough his life was despaired of, he male a remarkable recovery, lie was nimbus to resume work, and early in Anuary his employers arranged for bin to he brought to Sydney hv neroplant R was “Old Tom’s” first air trip, jml lie was delighted with the expeience. Ho then rejoined the William Mparthur.