George Long

he had seen much service at sea

George worked as a signalman stationed at Queen’s Wharf. He had been in the employ of the Harbour Board since it was constituted and as such was a familiar face to all those who frequented the wharf. He lived with his niece, Miss Elizabeth O’Sullivan, in Herbert Street (this street ran between Manners Street and Dixon Street and was widened to become Victoria Street).

He had joined the Provincial Government service in 1863 and for a period acted as Pilot at Wanganui Heads. In March 1874 he was appointed harbour pilot for Wellington and then in October assistant lighthouse keeper at Somes Island. He had also been in charge of several coasters trading about New Zealand and Australia.

Six weeks prior to his death, George caught a cold but refused to rest. He then contracted typhoid and already weak with other ailments he died on 7th March 1893, aged 69 years. The flags of the vessels in port were at half-mast on 8th July as a mark of respect to his memory. Elizabeth was the sole beneficiary of his Will.

Karori Cemetery Plot: *ROM CATH/#/51

Lighthouse on Somes Island, Wellington. Williams, Edgar Richard, 1891-1983: Photographs and papers. Ref: 1/1-025715. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23194862

George Long headstone, October 2024.

George Long plot, October 2024.