As part of our gardening project, Russell tackled the Kelly plot and over several days persevering, removed the enormous flax that had dwarfed the beautiful headstone. The plot interested Russell and so he went on to research Captain Kelly. He also selected and planted some dahlias for the plot which are now getting established. Russell’s story of Captain Kelly is below and the accompanying photographs were also selected by him.
CAPTAIN. W. H. KELLY
Captain William Henry Kelly’s grave lies over 12,000 nautical miles from Lochnagar the elegant cottage he once lived in, in Appledore on the River Torridge, North Devon.
A well liked and highly regarded master mariner sailing the fast iron clipper ships between the United Kingdom and New Zealand during the latter half of the 19th century, he made over a dozen voyages during a period of nearly twenty years carrying both passengers and general cargo on the journeys out and returning laden with wool, often obligingly furnishing the local press in NZ with the particulars of his voyage.
After a time on the fine looking Lochnagar a barque of 464 tons he took command of the larger Wave Queen a barque of 853 tons a vessel much admired by many as a “pattern of cleanliness and comfort.
After the faster steamships began taking over the passenger and general cargo trade the sailing ships of the time were reduced to bulk carriers of wool, grain and coal to earn their keep.
It was on such a voyage in 1892 whilst in command of the 1247 ton barque Nelson laden with coal from Barry in Wales to Wellington that Kelly encountered a severe storm during which a wave broke on board throwing the captain across the deck causing him to strike his head against a stanchion. On rising he was again throw onto the stanchion knocking him out. Though stunned by the blows and unconscious for five minutes he was able to take command for the remaining 39 days of the voyage and was on the poop when the ship entered Wellington harbour, but over the next weeks his health deteriorated and he sadly died on the 3rd January 1893 as a result of his injuries. As a consequence of his death ships in the harbour flew their flags at half mast.
His funeral was largely attended and his coffin having been draped with a Union Jack was carried by six seamen from the Nelson, four of them from Appledore to interment in the Karori cemetery, leaving behind a wife and family and many friends, by whom he was much respected. He was 49.
His widow Elizabeth a school headmistress died in 1925
aged 78 having raised their 4 children in a quiet lane amongst other mariner’s wives. At her funeral it was said that some thought of her as the “ Mother of Appledore” The beautiful hymn “Thy way, not mine O Lord” was sung, having been sung at the memorial service to her late husband many years before.
Plot: *Ch Eng/B/138
By Russell Scott
