THE LATE CAPTAIN STEIN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2391, 5 January 1909, Page 6

THE LATE CAPTAIN STEIN.

AN ACT OP HEROISM..

A noteworthy incident in the life of the commander of tho ill-fated steamer Ngatiawa, the late Captain Stein, who was drowned at Opotiki, last Wednesday, is recorded by Mr. AY.. Mikkelson ,of Auckland. It was during the war with Austria tin 1864 that the ill-fated skipper, then.-' a youthful Dane, saw- an officer from the enemy’s army in danger of drowning, and, after ia. strenuous swim, effected a rescue. Some time later he was made the recipient of a gold medal from the Emperor of Austria the latter having been informed of tlio gallant act. The late captain was a native of Fredericia, Denmark, and attained the age of 5S on his last birthday. He reached New Zealand 2S years ago, being then ia certified master mariner, and although lie and Mr. Mikkelson were schoolmates in Denmark, it was .not until a couple of years ago, after residing in the Dominion for many years, that they chanced to renew' the (acquaintance of their boyhood. A sister, (residing in Copenhagen, is the only surviving relative of the deceased, apart from members of his own family. Captain Stein bore the reputation of being a skilful mariner, never having up till AA r ednesday met with an accident. It recorded of him that when master of the Katikati, trading to Tauranga, he was in port- when the British warship Tumnga arrived there on a visit. The captain of the liran-o’ -Avar ,being a very cautious man, refused to make the entrance over such ;<a treacherous bar. On . this (announcement being made there was considerable disappointClient in the township, and the Mayor and others went out in the Ivivtikati in company with Captain fetem, to endeavour to dissuade him tiom his resolve. Their mission was successful, for the captain of the warship ijisn’ccd to take the risk but on condition that he. was given a pilot'. Captain Stein immediately offered his services, which were accepted, and lie gave orders for the veiscl to go “full speed ahead, and he did not order any slackening ot speed until the dangerous parts came to be attempted. At tms the captain of the warship remonstrated, 'but wis calmly told by Captain Stein to stand down, as lie was mastei oi the ship at that moment. It is needle. s to add that the . vessel was sateJy steered into port, and several months afterwards Captain Stem received a letter from the Admiralty congratulating him on his skill.