OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 194, 17 August 1931, Page 5

OBITUARY.

CAPTAIN L. SPROULE. The death occurred yesterday of Captain Lendrick Sproule, master of the Lyttelton Harbour Board's tug, Lyttelton. His death came as a surprise to his many friends at the port as well as to his family, for after having undergone an operation a week ago, he was reported to have been raaking satisfactory progress. Yesterday morning , he had a heart attack and passed away | about 10.15. • , Captain Sproule, as master of the Lyttelton, was a prominent figure on the Lyttelton waterfront and a respected resident of the port. He was born at Liverpool fifty-nine years ago and from an early age led a seafaring hie. He came to New Zealand about thirty years ago and for about six years was master of the scow Eunice. Later he took command of the steamer Mana. In 1918 he was appointed by the Lyttelton Harbour Board as master of the tug Lyttelton. During the thirteen years he was in command of the tug he assisted in bringing into port many notable ships, including the H.M.S. Renown, H.M.S. New Zealand, units ot the special service Squadron, the visiting units of the American fleet, the France, at the time the largest sailing ship in the world, and many otto vessels that have visited the port. The capable manner in which Captain Sproule handled the tug has frequen*lv been commented on by overseas masters. He leaves a widow and three young daughters. He was , a member of' the Kilwinning Masonic Lodge. __.