 The 1939 sinking of the boat Dolphin was a New Zealand wartime tragedy that had nothing to do with the fighting overseas.
Entrances to harbours and all along our coast were guarded by gun emplacements. Many can still be visited. The 40 foot fishing boat was entering Lyttelton harbour coming back from fishing near Godley Head about 2.20pm on October 12, 1939 and when it stopped to await a signal to proceed, it was fired up by the shore port battery. Under wartime conditions, there was a great deal of concern about the harbours of the country being a way for the enemy to get it. The Dolphin’s approach was noticed by the naval signal station who warned the gun battery. Fishing boats were supposed to stop in an examination zone and then be passed into the harbour. But as the Dolphin was approaching a little earlier than expected, the examination boat was in port to restock. It rushed to intercept the boat. Efforts were made to contact the Dolphin by semaphore and morse code to no avail. So a shot was fired. The commander in charge of the battery claimed the Dolphin refused to stop so the fateful warning shot was made. It was supposed to pass in front of the boat but it hit the Dolphin’s engine room. The fishing boat's sole survivor, William Henry Willman, later said they never received a signal to stop. The examination boat arrived just in time to see the Dolphin hit. They rescued Willman from where he was clinging to a lifebuoy. On board the ship was Frederick James Brasell, who went down with his boat. When the ship was recovered, his body was found in the wheelhouse. Willman credited Brasell with saving his life by telling him to take off his gumboots and swim for it. The sinking caused a furor, with fishermen around the country calling for a full inquiry. An inquest into Brasell’s death said a signal was made but it was not understood by those on the boat. Brasell was born in Timaru on May 6, 1888 to Robert and Eliza Brasell. He married Sarah (Sadie) Maria Beswarick and they had four children. His funeral at Bromley Cemetery was attended by hundreds of fishermen.
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 Edmonds is a name every New Zealander will know. How many of us had at least one copy of the famous Edmonds Cookbook? Does anyone have the copy their grandmother used?
My now tattered spiral bound version is still used. If I am looking for the basic recipe for something, it’s an invaluable resource. Thomas John Edmonds is where it all began. Edmonds was born on October 13, 1858, in Poplar, England, to James Darley and Jane Elizabeth Edmonds. He began working for London confectionery maker F Allen and Son where he worked with the powders for sherbet. He married Jane Irving and together they came to New Zealand, arriving aboard the Waitangi in September 1879. He promptly set up his own shop on Ferry Road, Christchurch. Edmonds set about making his own baking powder, after learning of the unreliability of what was then available. He made his first batch and sold 200 tins in his store. That phrase - Sure to Rise - was coined when he told a customer "It is sure to rise, Madam" when she questioned why it was better than the product she was already using assuring her that her scones would not be flat if she used his baking powder. He perfected his formula and began marketing it, giving away tins for free if someone wouldn’t buy it and offering to take it back if they were unsatisfied. (He said no tins were ever returned). In addition to the baking powder his company T J Edmonds, made custard powder, egg powder and self raising flour. By 1912 one million tins of baking powder had been sold. That first cookbook was released in 1908 as a promotional tool. Along with the business was Edmonds’ philanthropy. He built several buildings in Christchurch along with the Edmonds factory and gardens. The factory was demolished in 1990 but the gardens were bought by the city council and kept as a public garden. He also gifted the city a band rotunda and the clock tower on the Avon River. He and his wife had eight children. Edmonds died of peritonitis on June 2, 1932. He is buried along with his wife at the Linwood cemetery.  Welcome to the New Year!
Let’s hope 2022 is better than the last couple of years. We thought we would start a new year with a competition. We solve family mysteries and find people all the time so we thought we would offer you the chance to use our research and investigative skills to see if we can solve one of yours. Do you have a relative who hasn’t been heard from for a long time? Want to find out where your ancestors come from? Let’s see if we can find out for you. Please keep in mind we won’t be able to solve old murders or unresolved police cases. In a few words tell us your family mystery and why you want it solved and give us some contact details. Email us before January 31 and we will pick a winner and be in touch. http://genealogyinvestigations.co.nz/contact.html Please note: While we value and protect the privacy of our clients, we might ask you for a testimonial or to publish a blog about your family mystery, without identifying those involved if you agree. |
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