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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Captain Edward John Harvey

Captain Edward John Harvey, of the s.s. “Queen of the South,” comes from Essex, England, where he was born in the year 1847. He began his seafaring life at the age of fourteen years, serving an apprenticeship of five years, and afterwards travelled in various parts of the world. Coming to Wellington in the ship “England,” in 1871, he joined the s.s. “Rangatari,” as second mate. Three years later, he was transferred to the s.s. “Manawatu,” as first mate, and twelve months afterwards became captain of that vessel. He commanded the “Manawatu” for sis years, when he was placed in command of his former ship, the “Rangatari.” This vessel was lost near Taranaki, while in charge of the first mate. Six months later, Captain Harvey joined Mr. E. Greenwood, an engineer, and purchased the s.s. “Sampson,” of which vessel he was captain for about twelve months, when she was wrecked. The partners shortly afterwards purchased the paddle-boat “Hauraki,” converted her into a screw steamer, and resumed trading on the coast. Some three years later, this vessel sprang a leak, and went down. It is fortunate that in neither of these misfortunes were any lives lost. Captain Harvey, after meeting with heavy losses, entered the employ of the well-known firm of Messrs. Levin and Co., of Wellington, as captain of the “Little Napier.” This steamship not being large enough for the trade, he was sent to Sydney, New South Wales, to purchase a more suitable one, and there he bought the “Queen of the South,” in which vessel he is a part owner with Messrs. Levin and Co. and Mr. Wm. Signal, who is chief engineer of the boat. The “Queen of the South” is a fine iron steamship of about 200 tons, and does a large passenger and cargo trade between Foxton and Wellington. Captain Harvey has been at sea some thirty-six years, and is a man of large and varied experience.