The Guthrie’s
CYA member Graham Guthrie & brother Roger’s great grand father, Henry Guthrie, settled in Dunedin in July 1864 from Largo in Scotland. He married Isabella Graham in 1866 & became a ship owner & broker. Most of the ships owned by Henry initially were jointly owned with mainly with his younger brother Walter. Sir William Larnach (Larnach Castle, Dunedin) was another co-owner & several joint ships can be viewed today on the walls of the castle. One joint ship has the claim of taking the 1st shipment of frozen lamb to Britain.
However from 1878 he was essentially the sole owner of the vessels.The Laira an iron barque built in Sunderland,England was owned by Henry from 1889 to 1893.
A large number of ship passed through his hands in his role as a broker. He was a member of the Otago Harbour Board in 1879-1883 and 1892-1894.
It appears that he was bankrupted in the late1880’s but all their children received a sound education and the family lived a settled and comfortable life.
A large number of ship passed through his hands in his role as a broker. He was a member of the Otago Harbour Board in 1879-1883 and 1892-1894.
It appears that he was bankrupted in the late1880’s but all their children received a sound education and the family lived a settled and comfortable life.
Henry died on 21st April 1913 in Rattray St Dunedin as he was walking up the steep hill to his home.
The photo above shows the ship Alcestis when she ran aground in Otago Harbour c1880. This ship ‘gave’ its name to the Guthrie family launch, Alcestis (photo attached), which features frequently on this site.
Update / photo from Russell Ward – photo of an unidentified tug -possibly ‘Dunedin’ – towing Alcestis out of Otago after her grounding.
I guess she lived to sail another day unlike many of them on that coast.
photos & details ex Roger Guthrie
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ALCESTIS grounded at the SW end of Quarantine Island and was towed off by the OHB tug PLUCKY on 24th December 1895.
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Is there anything on Papers Past about the grounding.
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I have seen paintings of both Laira and Alcestis when we lived in Panmure. I will check with Dad (John Guthrie) and find ouf where he has stored them
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Mori
Some info from Roger Guthrie (grandson of owner)
It appears the vessel is on the southwest end of quarantine Island (St Martins) in the middle of the Otago Harbour. At the top right is the Flagstaff (Tide & Timeball) above the port and Goat Island behind the ship.
Not sure if this is connected but the Alcestis had a very rough trip on her voyage to the Bluff in 1885. During one severe gale heavy seas broke on board,smashed the deckhouse & fittings & washed nearly everything movable over board, including a considerable deck cargo.
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Hi Alan. The Alcestis was also owned by Henry Guthrie from 1889 to at least 1893. I have yet to find the incident where the Alcestis grounded and would be grateful for any further information.
The tug in the photo is not the Dunedin as she was built in 1914, well after the date that this photo was taken.
Regards Mori
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