DEATH OF CAPTAIN BURGESS.
AN INTERESTING CAREER.
Another of the old identities who has been connected with Auckland for over half
a century, passed over to " the great majority" yesterday morning in the person
of Captain Isaac James Burgess, who died at his residence, Devonport, after an
illness extending over a considerable period. Captin Burgess was a native of
London, and was born in 1824, completed his education at Greenwich Hospital Upper
(Naval) School, and then entered the merchant service, serving his
apprenticeship in the ship Forester—Captain xvlcArthur- trading between London
and the West Indies. Having subsequently made other voyages to Australia, South Africa,
and North America, he sailed for New Zealand in March, 1840, as chief officer of
the barque Madras, arriving in Nelson in July, and thence to Wellington, Taranaki,
and Auckland. Here he left the Madras, and entered the Government service as chief
officer of H.M. colonial brig Victoria—Captain Richards. Shortly after this the
vessel left Auckland for the South, and in August, 1847, while she was lying off
the settlement of Wanganui in company with H.M.s. Calliope (there being then some
disturbance with the natives of that place), Captain Richards, in attempting
to communicate with the military authorities there was accidentally drowned,
his boatan open onehaving* capsized on the bar at tne entrance to the Wanganui River,
Deputy-Commissary-General Power, who was a passenger in the boat, and the boat's
crew being promptly rescued by another boat sent from the brig. Captain "Richards'
body was also picked up. Immediately after this the brig left for Wellington
in charge of the ch'"' officer, arriving there at midnight, when the Superintendent
of Wellington, Major Richmond, was at once informed of the sad event. Some days
after the brig left foi Auckland, Captain Burgess being duly appointed to the
command of the vessel, and irom that time up to Juno, 1848, the vessel was
actively employed between Auckland and the Southern settlements in carrying
despatches, passengers, troops, stores, etc., and otherwise attending to the
requirements of the Colonial Government. On the Brig's return to Auckland
in J one it was found that the vessel was very much in want of repairs, consequently
Captain Burgess received instructions from the Government to proceed
to Taranaki, and after landing specie and despatches at that place was
to sail at once for Sydney with despatches for tne Colonial Secretary
of New South Wales, from whom instructions would be received relative
to the repairs of the brig, which proved more extensive than expected.
On the return of the vessel to Auckland in October she was immediately
despatched for the South, and again was fully employed as before in visiting the
different settlements, and especially that of Wanganui, where a detachment of the
65th Regiment were still stationed. The brig was also engaged for a time in the
Acheron survey of Cook's Strait, Blind Bay, and Taranaki coast.
In 1850 Captain Burgess resigned the command of the Government Brig, and was appointed
chief pilot and acting-harbour-master at Auckland during the absence of Captain Rough,
and on his being transferred to the Customs Department was permanently appointed
harbourmaster for the port of Auckland, holding that position up to December, 1894.
For the first few years he was under the direction of the General Government, but
on the Provincial Government assuming control of ports and harbours he was transferred
to that Government, and assisted in all matters respecting the harbour, and the safe
navigation of the same, the maintenance of buoys or beacons, and other matters
affecting the/ interests of the port. For many years, up to the'date of the abolition
of the provinces, Captain Burgess held the position of chief harbourmaster for
the province of Auckland, and as such had the general supervision of the harbours
of Manukau, Kaipara, Hokianga, Thames, and j.auranga, and other harbours in the
provincial district of Auckland. During this time the improvements were carried
out at the Manukau pilot and signal station, Kaipara pilot station, at Hokianga,
and at the Thames. Captain Burgess had also a great deal to do witfli the preliminary
work in connection with the erection of the Flat Rock beacon, the Tiritiri lighthouse,
and the Sandspitand Bean Rock lighthouses, and afterwards attended to the same, and
rendered every assistance possible to Mr. Balfour— then Colonial Marine Engineer
carrying out these works, and other matters in connection with the harbours of this
province. In 1868, a conference of harbourmasters was held in Wellington, for the
purpose of framing general harbour regulations for all ports of the colony.
Captain Burgess was present at all the deliberations of this conference. The regulations
then drawn, up have since remained, without material alteration, in. operation
throughout the colony. In 1871, the port of Auckland having been placed under the
control of a local Harbour Board, Captain Burgess' services were transferred to
it, but he did not sever his connection with the Government, still retaining the
position of chief harbourmaster for the Province of Auckland until the passing of
the Abolition of Provinces Act in 1876, his duties being thenceforward confined
to the port of Auckland. In 1876, the Harbour Board having decided to procure a
dredge to deepen the harbour, the Alpha dredge was supplied by Messrs. Fraser and Tinne,
and the first dredging operations were started and carried on for some considerable
time under the supervision of the harbourmaster, until relieved by the appointment
of the Harbour Board engineer. In 1878, the Auckland Graving Dock was completed,
Captain Burgess being appointed dockniaster, the first vessel docked being the
Northern Steamship Company's steamer lona, and on the completion of the Calliope
Graving Dock, in 1888, Captain Burgess took charge of this dock also as dockmaster
This dock was formally opened on February 16, Her Majesty's ships' Calliope and
Diamond being docked at the same time in commemoration of the event.
Captain Burgess retired at the end of December, 1894, from his official connection with
the port of Auckland, after a service of 44 years directly connected with this
port, and of 48 years in the service of the colony. On his retirement,
Captain Burgess was presented by the officers of the Auckland Harbour Board with
an illuminated address and a silver tea set and salver, bearing the following
engraved inscription: — " Presented to Captain Isaac James Burgess, as a token of
sincere respect and esteem by the officers of the Auckland Board, December,
1894." In 1866 he had a serious illness, consequent upon overwork and constant
exposure to the weather, and at one time was not expected to recover from it;
and in June, 1891, met with an accident while in the execution of his duties,
by which he sustained severe injuries, from the effects of. which he suffered
until the time of his death.
Among his correspondence he had letters from the early Governors of the colony
(one very kindly one from Sir George Grey), the naval officers commanding the
stations and from the steam shipping companies, thanking him for services rendered.
Captain Burgess, who was in his 81st year at the time of his death, leaves a family
of 11, for whom great sympathy will be felt in their bereavement.
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