John Bollons
Encyclopedia
John Peter Bollons, ISO
, (1862–1929) was a New Zealand
marine captain, naturalist and ethnographer. For many years he captained New Zealand government steamers, including the NZGSS Hinemoa
, which undertook lighthouse work and patrols through New Zealand's subantarctic islands
. Bollons Island, in the Antipodes Islands
is named after him. In 1928 he was awarded the Imperial Service Order
.
, England, the son of a London cab
master. After settling in New Zealand in 1881, he married Lilian Rose Hunter, the daughter of a master mariner, in 1896 in Invercargill
. In 1911, the family moved to Wellington
. They had three daughters and four sons. John Tutanekai (b.1897), Thomas Tangaroa (b.1897), Alan Awarua (b.1900), Liliian Hinemoa (b.1903), Desmond Maori (b.1905), Kathleen Rawhiti (b.1908), and Patricia Maimoa (b.1909). Bollons died after hernia surgery on 18 September 1929. He was buried at Bluff, and a memorial was erected in All Saints' Church, Kilbirnie
, which was unveiled by Governor General
Sir Charles Fergusson.
en route to the West Indies. In 1881, his ship England's Glory ran aground in Bluff
; he settled in the town, working for a pilot
cutter before gaining work on the government ketch
Kekeno. From then until 1892 he served aboard a number of local and merchant vessels before gaining his master's
certificate, after which he worked on Marine Department steamers. In 1898 he became captain of the Government Service Steamer Hinemoa
.
The government steamers had various duties throughout New Zealand's waters, including supplying and supporting lighthouses, charting the coasts, patrolling and replenishing castaway depots in the subantantarctic islands - as well as searching for lost vessels - and carrying scientific and navigational parties. As part of these duties, he rescued castaways from the Anjou on Auckland Island, 1905, and the Dundonald
on Disappointment Island
in 1907.
In 1908, Bollons surveyed and selected the site for the Cape Brett Lighthouse
.
, collecting various specimens on his journeys. He corresponded regularly with natural environment scientists and sometimes collected specimens for them. The rescue of the castaways of the Dundonald
coincided with the 1907 Sub-Antarctic Islands Scientific Expedition
whose participants were travelling on the Hinemoa. He was very well regarded by the members of the Expedition as he regularly pointed out and ensured they visited areas he was familiar with and thought might interest them. One of the participants of the expedition - a botanist called Dr Leonard Cockayne
latter named a plant after Bollons - the Veronica bollonsii
. In 1946 Mrs Bollons donated an album of photographs to the Alexander Turnbull Library; the album comprised photographs taken by Samuel Page on the Hinemoa's 1907 scientific expedition to the subantarctic islands, and had been given to Captain Bollons by the members of the expedition.
Bollons was also highly interested in Māori culture
, especially fishing traditions. He often used his voyages around the New Zealand coastline and islands to conduct fossicking trips. He spoke Te Reo
and the love of this language was reflected in the fact that all of his children had Māori middle names. He collected a large number of Māori and Pacific artifacts and natural environment specimens. The Bollons Collection was purchased by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
. from his widow in 1931. The museum also holds collections of shells, birds and also a valuable collection of New Zealand bird eggs collected by Bollons.
Bollons' reputation as an amateur ornithologist was widespread, and he donated a number of eggs to the American Museum of Vertebrate Zoology in 1923, and provided significant information on the breeding practices of albatrosses.
Imperial Service Order
The Imperial Service Order was established by King Edward VII in August 1902. It was awarded on retirement to the administration and clerical staff of the Civil Service throughout the British Empire for long and meritorious service. Normally a person must have served for 25 years to become...
, (1862–1929) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
marine captain, naturalist and ethnographer. For many years he captained New Zealand government steamers, including the NZGSS Hinemoa
NZGSS Hinemoa
NZGSS Hinemoa was a 542 ton New Zealand Government Service Steamer designed specifically for lighthouse support and servicing, and also patrolled New Zealand's coastline and carried out castaway checks and searched for missing ships. It operated in New Zealand's territorial waters from 1876 to...
, which undertook lighthouse work and patrols through New Zealand's subantarctic islands
New Zealand sub-antarctic islands
The five southernmost groups of the New Zealand Outlying Islands form the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic islands. These islands are collectively designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site....
. Bollons Island, in the Antipodes Islands
Antipodes Islands
The Antipodes Islands are inhospitable volcanic islands to the south of—and territorially part of—New Zealand...
is named after him. In 1928 he was awarded the Imperial Service Order
Imperial Service Order
The Imperial Service Order was established by King Edward VII in August 1902. It was awarded on retirement to the administration and clerical staff of the Civil Service throughout the British Empire for long and meritorious service. Normally a person must have served for 25 years to become...
.
Personal life
Bollons was born 10 November 1862 in Bethnal GreenBethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
, England, the son of a London cab
Cabriolet (carriage)
A cabriolet is a light horse-drawn vehicle, with two wheels and a single horse. The carriage has a folding hood that can cover its two occupants, one of whom is the driver. It has a large rigid apron, gracefully upward-curving shafts, and usually a rear platform between the C springs for a groom...
master. After settling in New Zealand in 1881, he married Lilian Rose Hunter, the daughter of a master mariner, in 1896 in Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
. In 1911, the family moved to Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
. They had three daughters and four sons. John Tutanekai (b.1897), Thomas Tangaroa (b.1897), Alan Awarua (b.1900), Liliian Hinemoa (b.1903), Desmond Maori (b.1905), Kathleen Rawhiti (b.1908), and Patricia Maimoa (b.1909). Bollons died after hernia surgery on 18 September 1929. He was buried at Bluff, and a memorial was erected in All Saints' Church, Kilbirnie
Kilbirnie
Kilbirnie is a small town of 7280 inhabitants situated in North Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland...
, which was unveiled by Governor General
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
Sir Charles Fergusson.
Marine career
Bollons went to sea at the age of 14, joining a barquentineBarquentine
A barquentine is a sailing vessel with three or more masts; with a square rigged foremast and fore-and-aft rigged main, mizzen and any other masts.-Modern barquentine sailing rig:...
en route to the West Indies. In 1881, his ship England's Glory ran aground in Bluff
Bluff, New Zealand
Bluff is a town and seaport in the Southland region, on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the southern-most town in New Zealand and, despite Slope Point being further to the south, is colloquially used to refer to the southern extremity of the country...
; he settled in the town, working for a pilot
Maritime pilot
A pilot is a mariner who guides ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbours or river mouths. With the exception of the Panama Canal, the pilot is only an advisor, as the captain remains in legal, overriding command of the vessel....
cutter before gaining work on the government ketch
Ketch
A ketch is a sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen mast abaft of the main mast, but forward of the rudder post. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft. From one to three jibs may be carried forward of the main mast when going to windward...
Kekeno. From then until 1892 he served aboard a number of local and merchant vessels before gaining his master's
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
certificate, after which he worked on Marine Department steamers. In 1898 he became captain of the Government Service Steamer Hinemoa
NZGSS Hinemoa
NZGSS Hinemoa was a 542 ton New Zealand Government Service Steamer designed specifically for lighthouse support and servicing, and also patrolled New Zealand's coastline and carried out castaway checks and searched for missing ships. It operated in New Zealand's territorial waters from 1876 to...
.
The government steamers had various duties throughout New Zealand's waters, including supplying and supporting lighthouses, charting the coasts, patrolling and replenishing castaway depots in the subantantarctic islands - as well as searching for lost vessels - and carrying scientific and navigational parties. As part of these duties, he rescued castaways from the Anjou on Auckland Island, 1905, and the Dundonald
Dundonald (ship)
The Dundonald was a steel, four-masted barque of 2205 tons, which was launched in Belfast in 1891. She was shipwrecked in 1907 in the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands...
on Disappointment Island
Disappointment Island
Disappointment Island is one of seven uninhabited islands of the archipelago Auckland Islands. It is from the north-west end of Auckland Island and south of New Zealand. It is home to the White-capped Albatross. About 65,000 pairs - nearly the entire world population - nest on Disappointment...
in 1907.
In 1908, Bollons surveyed and selected the site for the Cape Brett Lighthouse
Cape Brett Lighthouse
Cape Brett Lighthouse is a lighthouse at Cape Brett in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. The site was surveyed and chosen in 1908 by Captain John Bollons of NZGSS Hinemoa....
.
Natural history and ethnography interests
Bollons had a great interest in natural historyNatural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
, collecting various specimens on his journeys. He corresponded regularly with natural environment scientists and sometimes collected specimens for them. The rescue of the castaways of the Dundonald
Dundonald (ship)
The Dundonald was a steel, four-masted barque of 2205 tons, which was launched in Belfast in 1891. She was shipwrecked in 1907 in the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands...
coincided with the 1907 Sub-Antarctic Islands Scientific Expedition
1907 Sub-Antarctic Islands Scientific Expedition
The 1907 Sub-Antarctic Islands Scientific Expedition was a New Zealand scientific expedition organised by the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury...
whose participants were travelling on the Hinemoa. He was very well regarded by the members of the Expedition as he regularly pointed out and ensured they visited areas he was familiar with and thought might interest them. One of the participants of the expedition - a botanist called Dr Leonard Cockayne
Leonard Cockayne
Leonard Cockayne FRS is regarded as New Zealand's greatest botanist and a founder of modern science in New Zealand.-Biography:He was born in Sheffield, England where he attended Wesley College...
latter named a plant after Bollons - the Veronica bollonsii
Veronica (plant)
Veronica is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae, with about 500 species; it was formerly classified in the family Scrophulariaceae...
. In 1946 Mrs Bollons donated an album of photographs to the Alexander Turnbull Library; the album comprised photographs taken by Samuel Page on the Hinemoa's 1907 scientific expedition to the subantarctic islands, and had been given to Captain Bollons by the members of the expedition.
Bollons was also highly interested in Māori culture
Maori culture
Māori culture is the culture of the Māori of New Zealand, an Eastern Polynesian people, and forms a distinctive part of New Zealand culture. Within the Māori community, and to a lesser extent throughout New Zealand as a whole, the word Māoritanga is often used as an approximate synonym for Māori...
, especially fishing traditions. He often used his voyages around the New Zealand coastline and islands to conduct fossicking trips. He spoke Te Reo
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
and the love of this language was reflected in the fact that all of his children had Māori middle names. He collected a large number of Māori and Pacific artifacts and natural environment specimens. The Bollons Collection was purchased by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in Wellington. It is branded and commonly known as Te Papa and Our Place; "Te Papa Tongarewa" is broadly translatable as "the place of treasures of this land".The museum's principles...
. from his widow in 1931. The museum also holds collections of shells, birds and also a valuable collection of New Zealand bird eggs collected by Bollons.
Bollons' reputation as an amateur ornithologist was widespread, and he donated a number of eggs to the American Museum of Vertebrate Zoology in 1923, and provided significant information on the breeding practices of albatrosses.