A researcher on Magnetic Island received a package from New Zealand which included nautical memorabilia and cuttings about a wreck and a swag of other interesting material . In it was the NZ Federated Seamen's Union membership book , below , of C. A. " Alf " Osborne , his date of enrolment July 1, 1897, in Auckland, North Island .
In those days , the union's head office was in Dunedin, in the South Island . Branches in Australia included Brisbane and Townsville - the agent here E.Y.Lowry .
Born at Seven Oaks, Kent, England, Osborne came to New Zealand aboard the sailing ship Canterbury when he was 23. He became an able bodied seaman aboard the coastal trading three masted, one funnel , S.S. Gairloch , of 345 tons , wrecked on January 5 , 1903 , when it struck Oakura Reef , three miles north of Cape Egmont. To conserve coal , on its maiden voyage from Glasgow to New Zealand , the vessel proceeded under sail for 70 days during the ll5 day run in 1885 .
The Auckland Star columnist Allan A. Kirk who wrote Ships and Sailormen covered the Gairloch in an illustrated piece on June 16 , l970.
The union book contains much information about the terms and conditions under which seamen worked . Of particular note is the above schedule setting out the manning numbers for vessels under sail and sea going steamships .
Giving up the sea , Osborne became a grocer , then served as a member of the Onehunga Fire Brigade , Auckland , for 50 years ; still involved with the brigade at 88, treasurer of the NZ United Fire Brigade Association since 1917, he was described as New Zealand's oldest fireman , died at 93, the funeral cortege , which included three fire engines , was one and a half miles long.
Modern Steamship
Bearing the name Steamship, one of the motor vessels reflected in Townsville's Breakwater Marina .
Modern Steamship
