Captain Horatio Gordon, (18/7/1854-28/10/1927). "the personification of duty"

 OBITUARY

CAPTAIN GORDON. 

The announcement of the death of Captain Horatio Gordon brings up the image of a man who was the personification of duty, entirely just in relationship to his fellows, and reliable to the uttermost particular. Bred as a sailor, he developed into the true type — quiet and with a high sense of responsibility, willing to serve and give of his best in whatever position he found himself. He was born in Aberdeen on July 19, 1854, took to the sea in early life, and worked his way from forecastle to quarterdeck on his merits. His first ship was the famous Australian liner Thermopylae, of the White Star Line. He joined her as an apprentice on her maiden voyage, and his connection with that vessel is worthy of mention, for he became her third mate, then her second mate, and then her first mate. Subsequently he was on the articles of another celebrated vessel, the Ascalon. Then for eleven years he had the position of master of the Shaw-Savill sailing ship Taranaki, trading to New Zealand. At that period of his career Captain Gordon thought he had earned the right to a shore life, and he applied for the position of officer in charge of the Tower Bridge, London, That job he missed “by a whisker.” as the saying goes. It is understood that at the final selection he was placed second. Disappointed in application, he turned his eyes to New Zealand, and in December of 1897 was appointed by the Otago Harbor Board master of the tug Plucky. In that capacity he graduated for promotion, and on October 1, 1902, he was appointed deputy-harbor master under Captain Thomson, a position that he filled with credit till his retirement in April of 1923, when he was the recipient of handsome presents from the staff and six months’ full pay from the board. One of his old ship acquaintances says: “I knew Captain Gordon whilst he was master of the Taranaki, and rate him as a model of efficiency, hospitality, and dignity — a very fine type of man.” Mrs Gordon, who died a few years ago, is well remembered by her service on the Hospital Board and more by her work amongst the distressed and poor of our city.  -Evening Star, 27/10/1927.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.