Wilson, Captain William

DESCRIPTION

NameWilson, Captain WilliamBiographyWilliam was born to Robert and Mary Wilson (nee More/Moon) in Suffolk in 1835. Robert was later transported to Australia, and William followed with his sister Emma some time in the 1850's.

Robert was assigned to the Illawarra, and later settled at Shellharbour where he operated a store and established a flour mill.

William also settled at Shellharbour where he became captain and master mariner of several ships including the 'Dairymaid', and 'Peterborough'.

The schooner 'Dairymaid' was built by William Woods of Jervis Bay for the Shellharbour Cooperative Navigation Company. Her length was 85 feet, beam 15 feet three inches and depth 5 feet 6 inches. She reached Shellharbour on her first trip on 1 October 1867. She was commanded by Captain Buchanan, who was followed by Captain Wilson. The 'Dairymaid' was eventually sold about 1875.

The barque 'Rangoon' was wrecked on Stack Island at the mouth of the Minnamurra River on 22nd March, 1870. The anchor is situated outside the Ocean Beach Hotel at Shellharbour on land formerly owned by Captain William Wilson. Wilson assisted in the rescue of the ship-wrecked crew of the 'Rangoon'.

In 1864, William married Emma Pike, daughter of Joseph and Mary Pike of Kiama. William and Emma had several children, Mary, Robert, William, Alfred, Ernest, Walter, Sarah (died from bronchitis aged 1 month old), Eva (died from heart disease on her birthday, aged 10 years old) and Arthur.

Emma Wilson died in 1896 and was buried at Kiama Cemetery. William died in 1912 and was buried at Field of Mars Cemetery at Ryde. Presumably he had moved to lived with his surviving daughter Mary, after Emma's death.

External LinkTo the Editor of the Kiama Independent - Wedding 1864Shellharbour - Destruction of Mr Martin's Public House by Fire 1872Letter to the Editor 1875District News Shellharbour 1877The Dairy Maid 1878Concert at Shellharbour 1881Shellharbour Steam Navigation Company 1887Local and General News 1886Death Eva Wilson 1893Death Captain William Wilson 1912Peterborough-Jessie Case 1905Early Illawarra History 1932

Person

Wilson, Robert

Wilson, Captain William

Photograph

Road to Shellharbour waterfront c.1890

Place

Shellharbour Harbour & Jetty

Event

Rangoon Shipwreck

Maritime

Rangoon Anchor

CONNECTIONS

CollectionPeopleFamilyWilson (Robert)PersonWilson, Captain WilliamWilson, RobertPlaceShellharbour HarbourRelated ItemThe 'Dairymaid'Rangoon AnchorRangoon ShipwreckAnchor of the ship 'Rangoon', Shellharbour 1995Anchor from the shipwreck, 'Rangoon'The Bursill home 'Seaside', Addison St ShellharbourSeaside', on the left of this photo, was the home of the Bursill FamilyRoad to Shellharbour waterfront c.1890The 'Dairymaid' in Shellharbour Harbour

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Wilson, Captain William