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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Dawson, William

Dawson, William, Farmer, Phœnix Farm, Kaukapakapa. Captian Dawson was born in Norwich in 1830, and after receiving his education went to sea at the age of fourteen. In 1854 he was married to a daughter of Mr. Joseph Blyth, farmer, of Weybourne, and in February of the same year was appointed master of the barque “Auxiliar,” bound Home from India. His next ship was the “Unicorn,” in connection with which there were some very remarkable incidents. The “Unicorn” left Swansea with coal for Coquimbo, whence she went to the Cnincha Islands, where she loaded guano for Europe. After being three days at sea, she sprang a leak, and, making one foot of water per hour, she returned to Callao, where she was condemned, and her cargo was shipped into the “Cingalese.” After sailing this vessel also sprang a leak and returned to Valparaiso where she was condemned, and the cargo was transferred into the Chilian ship “Rosario.” This vessel got so far as the Horn, where she sprang a leak. The crew took to the boats and were eventually picked up, but the “Rosario” foundered while they were in sight of her. Thus the cargo of the “Unicorn,” after being in three different vessels, went to the bottom in the Chilian ship “Rosario.' Mr. Dawson then joined a Peruvian barque on the coast of Peru, and next had command of the barque “Sebastopol,” trading to Australia for two years. He then gave up a seafaring life and left for New Zealand in the ship “Phœnix” (after which his farm is named), arriving in Auckland in 1860. Shortly after his arrival he purchased a property of 200 acres of bush land at Kaukapakapa, and settled on it with his wife and adopted daughter. Captain Dawson has taken an active part in all local affairs during his residence of forty-one years, and has been eighteen years superintendent of the Sunday School, and for twenty years President of the Blue Ribbon Army.

Captain W. Dawson.

Captain W. Dawson.