The San Francisco Call, 6 November 1896
Retrieved from the California Digital Newspaper Collection web site,
http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cdnc/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=p&p=home
Death of Captain Pearne, a Old-Time Master on the Occidental and Oriental
Line
---
***
A cablegram to the Merchants' Exchange announces the death of Captain
William G. Pearne of the steamer Gaelic of the Occidental and Oriental
line. He was one of the best-known masters sailing in and out of San
Francisco, having been in the employ of the company for over sixteen years.
The Gaelic left San Francisco on July 2 last and went ashore on the coast
of Japan. When near Nagasaki on a dark night Captain Pearne found himself in
the middle of a fleet of sampans. He slowed down to avoid disaster, but ran
into one of the small craft. The vessel was stopped and a boat lowered to
search for the missing Japanese. While this was going on a strong current
took charge of the ship, and before headway could be gained she went on a
reef.
It took considerable time and money to get her off, and when she was
finally docked at Yokohama Captain Pearne was a sick man. He took his ship
to Hongkong, however, and as soon as she was in the drydock he took to his
bed. Later he was removed to the hospital, where, in spite of every
attention, he died.
When the Southern Pacific went into the Oriental trade it chartered three
vessels from the White Star line. Captain Purcell brought out the Gaelic,
Captain Metcalf (now Lloyd's surveyor) the Oceanic and Captain Myers (now a
pilot) the Belgic. After a few voyages Captain Purcell resigned and Captain
Pearne was sent out to take his place. Ever since he filled the onerous
position with great skill and judgment, and his death will be a distinct
loss to the Occidental and Oriental Company. Captain Pearne was nearly 70
years old and leaves a widow and several grown children, who reside in East
Oakland.
-30-
*************************
Oakland Tribune, 6 November 1896
CAPT. PEARNE DEAD
---
Skipper of the Gaelic Has Made His Last Trip
---
A cablegram from Hong Kong announces the death of Captain William G. Pearne
of the Oriental steamship Gaelic.
Captain Pearne was well known in Oakland, having resided for some time with
his wife and little daughter at 1419 Eighth avenue, East Oakland. He also
leaves four children by a first wife, his two sons also being sea-faring
men.
Captain Pearne had been ill for a number of years, but his illness took on a
more acute form when the Gaelic struck a rock in the Straits of Shimoneseki
some time ago. At the time of his death the Gaelic was on the dry dock at
Hong Kong, undergoing repairs for the damage then sustained.
His wife had been cabled for, but only got as far as Nagasaki when his
death occurred, He was one of the best known and ablest captains in the
Oriental service.
-30-
Retrieved from the California Digital Newspaper Collection web site,
http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cdnc/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=p&p=home
Death of Captain Pearne, a Old-Time Master on the Occidental and Oriental
Line
---
***
A cablegram to the Merchants' Exchange announces the death of Captain
William G. Pearne of the steamer Gaelic of the Occidental and Oriental
line. He was one of the best-known masters sailing in and out of San
Francisco, having been in the employ of the company for over sixteen years.
The Gaelic left San Francisco on July 2 last and went ashore on the coast
of Japan. When near Nagasaki on a dark night Captain Pearne found himself in
the middle of a fleet of sampans. He slowed down to avoid disaster, but ran
into one of the small craft. The vessel was stopped and a boat lowered to
search for the missing Japanese. While this was going on a strong current
took charge of the ship, and before headway could be gained she went on a
reef.
It took considerable time and money to get her off, and when she was
finally docked at Yokohama Captain Pearne was a sick man. He took his ship
to Hongkong, however, and as soon as she was in the drydock he took to his
bed. Later he was removed to the hospital, where, in spite of every
attention, he died.
When the Southern Pacific went into the Oriental trade it chartered three
vessels from the White Star line. Captain Purcell brought out the Gaelic,
Captain Metcalf (now Lloyd's surveyor) the Oceanic and Captain Myers (now a
pilot) the Belgic. After a few voyages Captain Purcell resigned and Captain
Pearne was sent out to take his place. Ever since he filled the onerous
position with great skill and judgment, and his death will be a distinct
loss to the Occidental and Oriental Company. Captain Pearne was nearly 70
years old and leaves a widow and several grown children, who reside in East
Oakland.
-30-
*************************
Oakland Tribune, 6 November 1896
CAPT. PEARNE DEAD
---
Skipper of the Gaelic Has Made His Last Trip
---
A cablegram from Hong Kong announces the death of Captain William G. Pearne
of the Oriental steamship Gaelic.
Captain Pearne was well known in Oakland, having resided for some time with
his wife and little daughter at 1419 Eighth avenue, East Oakland. He also
leaves four children by a first wife, his two sons also being sea-faring
men.
Captain Pearne had been ill for a number of years, but his illness took on a
more acute form when the Gaelic struck a rock in the Straits of Shimoneseki
some time ago. At the time of his death the Gaelic was on the dry dock at
Hong Kong, undergoing repairs for the damage then sustained.
His wife had been cabled for, but only got as far as Nagasaki when his
death occurred, He was one of the best known and ablest captains in the
Oriental service.
-30-