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William Anderson, 1840-50, was only a lad when he landed from a whaling vessel in the early days. He was the last representative of a hardy and noble race of men, the old whalers, and he died as recently as 1904 or 1905.
Captain James Bruce, 1840-50, came to New Zealand in the early “forties.” He walked from Akaroa to Piraki after he lost his ship in 1841. He was then master of the brig Magnet. He was the first navigator to take a vessel into Port Chalmers. He went there in the Magnet. Returning from Port Chalmers to one of the whaling stations on the south side of Banks Peninsula, his vessel was wrecked in a small bay, which is still known by the name Magnet Bay. After losing his vessel he gave up the sea and settled in Akaroa, where he opened a hotel and store in conjunction. This hotel was built on Section No. 1. A few years later he bought a small vessel (schooner or cutter), and in her set out for Dunedin, carrying with him 300 sovereigns to send to Sydney for investments in spirits and stores. His vessel was caught in a squall in Akaroa Harbour, and capsized, taking the 300 sovereigns down with her. Mr. Bruce could not swim,
