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Alexander Livingstone
arrived on the Jessie in 1821 and travelled to Newcastle as
early as 1822. He maintained ties with the city for the rest of his life and
owned allotments 200 and 202 in Newcastle as well as land in other locations. He was part
owner with Rapsey & Mitchell in the famous little cutter
Lord Liverpool
and had very many adventures and nearly perished on more than one occasion while
doing duty as Captain on that vessel.
The
Australian reported in October 1827 - ' Whilst the cutter,
Lord Liverpool, was beating out of
the harbour of Newcastle last week, with a smart breeze, on her passage
to Sydney,
she was unluckily suffered to drive upon a sand bank, and it
required the most active and skilful exertions of her commander and
others concerned, to preserve her from imminent destruction. At the time
of her taking the ground a pilot was on board, and his boat which was a
whaleboat lay towing a stern. Into this jumped the master of the Lord
Liverpool, and with several hands was actively engaged in endeavouring to help off the fine little craft from her perilous
situation, when a surge took the boat, swamped and swallowed her. One of
the pilot's crew unhappily sunk to a briny grave.
Mr. Livingstone, the master, got under
the boat for some moments and was nearly suffocated before he could
again float to the surface. By dint of hard swimming and considerable
exertions, however, Mr. L. and his companions managed to escape from the
devouring element. And after grinding on the bank for some minutes, the
little vessel was again floated off into deep water, her bottom being
somewhat damaged, and her rudder sprung, two of the pintles being gone.'(1)
He married Miss Mary Dillon in 1826 (3) and retired for a
time to his farm near
Hinton
in 1830. He was well regarded and a dinner
was given in his honor on this occasion in 1830. The newspapers recorded the
following article: 'At
Cummings Hotel (Sydney) - On Friday last, the 12th instant, a
select party of those friends of Captain Livingstone, residing in
Sydney, entertained that gentleman at dinner at Cummings' Hotel,
on the occasion of his retiring from the command of the
Lord
Liverpool Packet, to settle on his estate at Hunter's river. The
dinner was got up in Cummings's best style. After the usual patriotic
toasts to the King, Army, Navy, and His Excellency General Darling the
Chairman,
Mr. Maziere rose and addressing Captain Livingstone said,
Sir, We cannot witness your resigning the
command of the Lord Liverpool packet without expressing our
regret at losing so indefatigable and able a commander. That regret, however, is obliterated when
we learn that your labours have been crowned with the success you so
justly merit, and that a happy retirement invites you to your farm. During a period of seven years, we have
observed with much satisfaction, the upright and faithful discharge of
all those duties which are combined in your abilities as a commander,
your conduct as a gentleman, and your zeal and attention as a friend to
the comforts of all those who have had the pleasure of sailing as
passengers with you. To convince you of our sincerity and
friendship we beg your acceptance of a piece of plate (presenting him
with it), whereon are inscribed our feelings towards you. We cannot conclude without wishing you a
long continuance of health and happiness and that your future exertions
may be attended with the same success, in ploughing the land, as they
were in that of the ocean. With every assurance of regard, we are your
sincere and attached friends.
Captain Livingstone appeared greatly
affected, and with much emotion replied -
" The very handsome compliment
you have just paid me affords the most heartfelt satisfaction; yet I am
induced to think you have greatly over rated any merit that attaches to
me: for, if in conducting the Lord Liverpool for the few past
years, my exertions to contribute to the comfort of you, gentlemen, and
others who were passengers, have met approbation, I consider that I was
merely fulfiling my duty, whilst at the same time, I had the pleasure of
your agreeable society. Your expressions of esteem are therefore
the more gratifying and will render my retirement more happy, from the
consideration of possessing the regard of so respectable a number of
individuals. The piece of plate by which you further
mark your kindness, I gratefully accept and can only say I shall ever
prize so flattering a testimonial. Allow me, in concluding to return you
individually and collectively my best wishes for your health and
prosperity.
Captain Livingstone sat down amidst
repeated cheers which having subsided, the chairman proposed his health
which was drank with the greatest enthusiasm. The pleasure of the table
were continued until a late hour, when the party closed, after passing a
very pleasant and cheerful evening. Palmam qui meruit ferat.
N.B. (Let him bear the palm who has deserved it.)'(2)
Alexander Livingstone returned to Newcastle after a few years and was
appointed harbour master, a position he held until 1858 when he retired
from his position.
Select here to read about the removal of
the
Signal Staff at
Newcastle in 1858
1. The Australian 10 October 1827
2. The Australian 19 February 1830
3. Sydney Gazette 19 July 1826
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