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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Captain William George North

Captain William George North, Union S.S. Company's s.s. “Waihi,” was born at Gravesend, Kent, England, in 1848. He went to sea at the age of fourteen years, first as an apprentice, and subsequently as an able seaman. In 1870, he made his first trip to New Zealand, coming out to Nelson in the barque “Rapedo,” chartered by Messrs. Shaw, Savill and Co. He left that ship shortly after her arrival, and entered the employ of the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, as an able seaman on the s.s. “Phœbe.” He was employed in the coastal trade in various vessels. In 1876, he was appointed first mate of the “Nelson,” which position he held for twenty-one months. Afterwards, he was employed in the s.s. Grafton and other boats for a number of years The subject of this sketch was in the employ of Mr. W. R. Williams when the Union S.S. Company took over that fleet, and was, in June, 1888, appointed captain of the “Waihi,” and has had command of that steamer, with the exception of a few relieving trips on other steamers, ever since.