A POPULAR SKIPPER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25, 22 June 1907, Page 7

A POPULAR SKIPPER.

The late Captain J. C. Blacklock, although in the colony a comparatively short while, was one of the most popular sea captains trading on the North manil of the Chelmsford, then trading his first acquaintance with local shipping in ISffti, when he brought the steamer Wakatere from the Old Country to Auckland. After arriving here he was drafted into the service of the Northern Co. as a permanent officer, and his first commission was as chief officer of the Clansman. Later on he was promoted a step, and took over the eommnd of the Chelmsford, then trading from Auckland to Awanui. Waiharara. and Houhora on the East Coast. In the early part of 190.3 he left for England Io bring out the Rarawa, another new steam, r for the Northern Co., arriving here about the end of that year. Captain Blackloek then took the steamer round to Onehunga, where she was handed over to Captain W. F. Norbury. Captain Blackloek assumed command of the Kia Ora. in which vessel he has remained ever since, except on rare occasions, when he relieved Captain Norbury on the Rarawa, when the latter skipper was on holiday. During the three or four years he has been in the Kia Ora Captain Blackloek has. by his genial manner and courteous disposition, earned the universal respect and friendship of the travelling public and the settlers along the coast at the ports at which his vessel touched. He was also the warm and kind hearted friend of the officers and crew of the Kia Ora, who loved him to a man. Last Christmas, when a number of transfers were being made in the skippers of the company, one of the officers expressed great concern to a “Star 1 ’ reporter that Captain Blackloek would be transferred to another vessel without his officers and crew, and the hope was expressed that, if a transfer were to be made, they would all go with him. "The

skipper, you see, is a real white man, and we wouldn’t lose him for worlds.” It is needless to add that no greater testimony to the popularity of the deceased could be given than the friendship and regard of the men who worked under him, and Captain Blaeklock had that. The flags on all the shipping in port at Auckland and Onehunga were lowered to half mast to-day as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the wreck. Captain Blackloek leaves a widow and three children, who reside in the Mount Eden district. The deceased’s mother is still Jiving, and his sister is married to Mr M. G. Harvey, chief engineer of the' s.s. Ngapuhi. Captain Blaeklock was only thirty-five years of age, and his untimely end is deeply regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.