An Old Skipper

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[?]Pt . Jimmy Duncan

An Old Skipper Goes To Rest

? all the ships, skippered by Jimmy Duncan, who died in Sydney last month (PIM Dec., 19) were gathered together there uld be a sizeable fleet. Capt. mes Duncan was amongst the st-known Islands skippers to lay course and bring his vessel safe port. [ met Jimmy when he was drographer on the Wattle pedition around New Guinea ters in 1920-21. He and the late an R. Stanley (well-known puan geologist) made a good im on the Wattle, making a rvey of New Guinea potentialities ;he first to be made under the stralian government, jater, as Harbour-Master in ,baul, Jimmy carried out his ties, although somewhat onerous, the best tradition and his partial dealings with all classes d colours created a reputation rthy of one who at all times ,s a “clean shooter”, just and right. liter his retirement I well nember him as a Committeeman the NG Planters’ Assn, and his liberations and advice were rays based on realistic principles d far-sightedness. At one time had interests in Rapopo, milili and Arawa plantations. ie latter estate was sold to Jack is, who passed away shortly fore Jimmy went to his long rest.

Daptain Jimmy Duncan had a st of friends far and wide who 11 mourn the passing of this llant gentleman. The following ragraph, culled from the Sydney \lletin, gives some idea of his ried and valued carreer: Sailed away beyond. Captain Jimmy Duncan, l-known in New Guinea.

Product of the Quarrier Homes near Glas he learned his trade in the windjammers xperience included being shanghaied in Hi America. Before War I he was pearling md Thursday Island and N.E.I. Holder the sailing-record from Aru Islands to win (to save a man's life). Cruised through I patrolling New Guinea waters; was sed by raider 'Wolf', after capture of tunga'. but escaped by sailing through reefs ire 'Wolf' wasn't game to follow. F.R.G.S. owing exploration-work along the Ramu »r in 1920.

Sometime harbourmaster in Rabaul, he went ore to his plantations, Rapopo and Tama in 1926. Rapopo became a Jap airstrip War II and was not much improved by ed bombing. Duncan commanded the last sel to leave Rabaul on the night the Japs Jed—a small schooner crowded with R.A.A.F. undstaff and civilians. He brought the ooner to Samarai unrelieved at the wheel, I was congratulated by the Navy on his t. Thereafter served with Merchant Navy il 1946. of h[s detailed knowledge of New

Guinea waters and personally-drawn charts of anchorages, he was flown by the U.S. Navy to Noumea to assist in planning the island land ings. Spent post-war years rebuilding his plantations but also found time to help-out as acting harbourmaster in Rabaul. Eighty-two when he weighed anchor for the last time in Sydney.

In more recent years Jimmy has been living at Chatswood, Sydney with frequent trips to NG to inspect his plantations and keep m touch with Territorial affairs.

His Rapopo property was at one time suggested as being the site of the new capital for New Britain, but it was later decided to retain Rabaul as such.

To his widow. “Auntie Joan,” to Bill, who did a big job for UNO in the East after the War; to Norman, who keeps the driers

on a P°P° and to daughter, Jess, our deepest sympathies—G.T.