Ashes Scattered In

Pacific

Death of Former Captain of Oceanic Line

THE last request of a man who loved the sea and the Pacific Islands where he had sailed so often was granted recently when the ashes of the late Captain William D. Watson were scattered over the sun-lit ocean as the luxurious, modern Matson liner Mariposa steamed from Honolulu to Pago Pago.

Watson was one of the best known and respected officers of the old Oceanic Com pany in its early days. He first went to the South Seas in 1883 as quartermaster of the three thousand tons Mariposa which, together with her sister ship Alameda, was the pride of the line. He made the initial voyage. on her from Philadelphia, and later became chief offcer.

When the Mariposa was transferred from the United States-Australia run to the San Francisco-Tahiti trip, Captain Watson took command of her on several occasions. He remained with the com pany until 1912, retiring when the Mari posa was sold to the Alaska Steamship Co.

The kindly old seafarer was well loved by the people of Tahiti, and his loss was mourned by many “old-timers” and vete rans of the waterfront.

It is not generally known that the little Mariposa had a part in the romance of the South Seas. Robert Louis Stevenson (Tusitala) made many trips on her. and in his Vailima Letters are several that were penned at sea on board the ship. It is a matter of tradition that he read the proofs of several of his most notable stories while on board the Mariposa.

Mr. George Scott arrived at Thursday Island early in July to join the staff of the Wireless Station. He was accom panied by his wife.

Mr. O. C. K. Corrie, formerly of Pales tine, who was recently appointed Chief Justice of Fiji in succession to Sir Max well Maxwell-Anderson, arrived in Suva by the July Niagara.