James Campbell (shipmaster)

Captain James Campbell (12 April 1825—9 August 1903) was a Scottish-born New Zealand shipmaster. He was born at Kildavaig farm, in Kilfinan parish, Cowal, Argyllshire, Scotland, and baptised on 4 May 1825. He was the eldest son of Archibald Campbell (born 22 September 1798 at Darnacarochmore, Kilfinan) and Jean McGibbon (born 6 April 1802 at Ardachiple, Glendaruel parish, Cowal). They married on 15 June 1824, at Kilfinan parish.

Travels from Scotland

The family moved to Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute circa 1834-1836. James left and went to sea after 1841. In about 1843, James had had cholera in India (he was then aged 19), and he had subsequently been inoculated for small pox. He went to the gold fields in Australia and stayed there for about two years. He went to New Zealand as mate of the schooner "Eliezer" in approximately 1855. There is some evidence that he might have arrived there as early as 1851 but only in his capacity as a sailor. He was said to have taken command of his first ship, the "Esther", at the age of 26, the youngest master mariner in the country at the time. From the available evidence, it seems James Campbell also commanded the brigantine "Sea Serpent" in New Zealand on 31 May 1858 at the age of 33.

When James was examined for an insurance policy, he was described as being about five feet eight, between 11 or 12 stone in weight, and complexion mixed. His body was well developed, countenance cheerful and indicative of good health. The apparent age was about forty which the medical examiner thought was caused by being so much exposed to the weather. James Campbell was considered to be in good health and a man of sound constitution as was reported on 14 August 1863. James was also temperate and careful in his mode of living.

hipwrecks and accidents

Captain James Campbell was involved in at least four shipwrecks or groundings. The first occurred on 11 October 1872 when the "Esther" ran aground at Napier on the boulder bank. The second mishap occurred, to the "Kiwi", on Tuesday 8 May 1887, when the 13-year-old steamer broke her propeller shaft close to the boss of the propeller, two miles south-west of Baring Head, near Wellington Harbour. Thirdly, on 12 April 1894, the "Kiwi" struck on an uncharted rock off the boat landing for Glenburn Station, near Castlepoint. The ship sank very quickly. Fourth, in November 1897, the "Beautiful Star" touched upon a tongue of land stretching out from the mainland at Uruti, three miles south of Mataikuna. James Campbell continued to work and was given command of another vessel, the steamer "Southern Cross".

Death

James Campbell’s health gradually deteriorated and, having moved to his daughter’s in Nelson, he died there on Sunday, 9 August 1903. Captain Campbell's body was taken to Wellington for burial on 11 August 1903, in the Sydney Street cemetery. At his death, James Campbell was aged 78. He had held the position of Marine Superintendent with Levin and Company, Wellington, and was one of the oldest and most respected shipmasters in New Zealand. Captain Campbell had commanded ships around the New Zealand coast for 48 years.

Family

James married Margaret MacDonell (born circa 1836, Auchluachrach, Inverness-shire, Scotland, died in Wellington, New Zealand, on 16 December 1899), on 19 January 1859. James and Margaret may have met in Australia before they married in New Zealand. An interesting aspect to the marriage was the fact that James was of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) whereas Margaret MacDonell was a Catholic. This appeared to have created a difference of opinion among the family as the children were supposed to have been evenly divided in the practice of faith. Half were supposed to have been Presbyterians whilst the rest were Catholics. Margaret was buried in the Catholic part of Karori Cemetery.

Children of the marriage were:
#Jane Campbell, born Wellington, New Zealand, 19 October 1860.
#Elizabeth McDonell Campbell, born Wellington, 13 June 1862. On 8 April 1865, shortly after the birth of her twin sisters, Margaret and Ann, Elizabeth McDonell died of scarlatina, or scarlet fever.
#Margaret Isabella Campbell, born Wellington, 4 January 1865, died Nelson, 12 June 1944.
#Ann Campbell, born in Wellington, 4 January 1865, died 29 November 1952.
#Jemima Flora Campbell, born in Wellington, on 19 May 1866, died on 2 July 1956, Palmerston North, at the age of 90 years. Married Dugald Stewart in 1894.
#Archibald Campbell, born in Wellington on 20 March 1868, died 13 August 1930, Wellington.
#John Eneas Campbell, born in Wellington on 5 December 1869, died Hawera, 1 September 1943.
#James Alexander Campbell, born Wellington 6 March 1872.
#Mary Campbell, born in Wellington on 26 April 1875. Married Henry McKeowen (born 1880) at her father's residence at Webb Street, Wellington, on 5 January 1901.
#Peter Malcolm Campbell, born Wellington, on Wednesday 21 June 1876. He married, first, Eleanor Margaret Adams (died Wellington, 4 August 1904). There was no issue of the marriage. He married, second, Kate (or Kathleen) Moore (born Arahura, West Coast, on 22 February 1873, died Porirua on 7 April 1942) on 27 June 1906.
#Sydney Arthur Campbell, born in Wellington 5 November 1878. Died in Nelson 1946.
#William Dugald Campbell, born in Wellington 8 July 1880. Died Palmerston North 9 September 1952.

References

*Old Parochial Registers, Church of Scotland.
*Obituary, "The Evening Post" newspaper, Wellington, New Zealand.
*Bethune and Hunter Letter Books, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.