Francis Dow (abt. 1851 - 1936)

Born about 1851 in Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Catherine Marie (Campbell) Dow — married about 1890 in New Zealand

Died 22 Jul 1936 at about age 85 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand

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Biography

Francis Dow, known as Frank, was born around 1851 in Scotland.

He was a member of the crew of the steamship Tarawera, beginning as a deckhand on her maiden voyage from Greenock, Scotland to Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand, arriving on 1 February 1883. He remained with the ship for a long period, becoming quartermaster. She was operated by the Union Steam Ship Company for passenger and cargo trade between New Zealand ports.

He later worked for the Otago Harbour Board for many years.

Around 1890 in New Zealand, he married Catherine Marie Campbell. They had children:

1. Benjamin, born 20 April 1891, died 1 hour after birth.
2. William Edward Day, born 4 Dec 1896, fate unknown.

He passed away on 22 July 1936 at Dunedin, aged 85. He had resided before his death at 169a Carroll Street, Dunedin, where his wife had died the previous month. He was buried on 24 July at the Northern Cemetery with his late wife and other relatives.

Sources

• New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages search for marriage reg., 1890/3492, marriage of Catherine Marie Campbell and Francis Dow.
• Nelson Evening Mail, 7 February 1934, Page 7, The Old Tarawera via Papers Past, 54th anniversary of the arrival of the Union Steam Ship Company's old steamer Tarawera at Port Chalmers from Greenock; built in 1882 together with the Wairarapa, Manapouri, Hauroto, Waihora, Te Anau, and others, for the company's expanding intercolonial and coastal passenger and coastal trade; reached Port Chalmers on the evening of 1 February 1883; operated for many years for passenger and cargo transport between Dunedin, Lyttelton, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and Auckland, in conjunction with the old Monowai and later the Mokoia and Paloona; continued until 1914, the last of the old fleet to go; lay idle at Port Chalmers for some time before being towed to Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, where she was used as a store ship for the whaling fleet under Norwegian owners; was scuttled several months ago; a member of the old ship's original crew, Mr Frank Dow, survives; he came out on her maiden voyage from Scotland as a deck hand, and remained with the ship for a long period, becoming quartermaster; he was later in the employ of the Otago Harbour Board for many years; he spoke glowingly of his old ship.
• New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages search for death reg., 1936/20833, death of Francis Dow, age 85Y, date of death 22 July 1936 [adjust search dates to verify.]
• Evening Star, 23 July 1936, Page 10, Deaths via Papers Past, death on 22 July 1936 at Dunedin, Frank Dow, husband of the late Catherine Dow.
• Dunedin City Council, Cemeteries 88695, Francis Dow, died 22 July 1936, age 85, last address 169A Carroll St, Dunedin, burial on 24 July 1936 at Northern Cemetery, Block 15, Plot 5; Notes: occupation seaman, native of Scotland, 60 years in NZ, died at Dunedin; other burials in this plot: Baby Byran, died 30 October 1884 age 1 day; Eva Dutton Bryan, died 18 May 1881, aged 19 months; Gladys R Bryan, died 8 February 1889 age 2 months; Benjamin Dow, died 20 April 1891 age 1 hour; Catherine Maria Dow, aged 65 years, died 24 June 1936; George Henry Mabe, died 14 August 1892, aged 22 months.