OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1948, Page 3

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN J. RANKINE Captain James Rankine, a former Union Steam Ship Co. master, died at Napier on Wednesday morning following a sudden illness. Captain Rankine was born at Markinch, Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1882. At the age of 16 he began his four years’ apprenticeship in the ship Dechmont, owned by Lang and Fulton, Greenoch, and continued as third and second mate in sail for two years before transferring to steamers, in which he served for five years as third and second officer. He obtained his master's certificate at Leith in April, 1908, and in March, 1910, entered the Union Company’s service as fourth officer of the Moeraki. He served successfully as third, second and chief officer of various vessels until appointed master of the Rosamond in May, 1916, since when he had commanded many of the company’s vessels. In May, 1929, Captain Rankine was granted extended leave to proceed to Scotland, and on October 25 of that year he took command of the new collier Kaimiro for her maiden voyage to New Zealand. He subsequently commanded a number of vessels before being transferred to the transpacific service, where he commanded the Waihemo, Waikawa, Waiotapu. Waipori and Wairuna, and on several occasions he made voyages to India and Malaya as relieving master of the Narbara. He retired in 1942. Captain Rankine was one of the nautical assessors on the Wanganella Ministerial investigation in Wellington in February last year. He also held a position with the naval authorities in Wellington during the war years. Captain Rankine was a member ot the Napier Bowling Club and a Freemason. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Margaret Rankine, George’s Drive, Napier.