Obituaries Australia

The death occurred at his residence on May 31 of Captain Hillel Fredrick Liljeblad at the age of 74 years.

Captain Liljeblad was the third son of the late Dean Liljeblad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. At the age of 15 he went to sea and having passed the examination for sea captain left his country in 1878. He arrived in Auckland two years later and there qualified for the position of Master Mariner. After 6 months in the Dominion he came to Sydney, and in February 1881, was appointed quartermaster of the R. M. S. Australia. Rapid promotion followed.

In March 1882 he accepted command of the London Missionary Society’s schooner Ellengowan. While in the employ of the Society, on the declaration of the British Protectorate of New Guinea in 1884, he piloted the British squadron of warships, under the command of Commodore J. E. Erskine, consisting of the Nelson, Espiegle, Swinger, Harrier, Lark, Dart and others and was complemented on his navigation. He also commanded the schooner Harrier, the Government vessel Governor Cairns, and the Lady Franklin and Surprise. He remained in the service of the London Missionary Society until 1890 and was associated with the late Dr. Lawes and the Rev. James Chalmers.

Captain Liljeblad spent some years among the islands of the Western Pacific, and experienced many stirring adventures.

He is survived by his widow two sons, and three daughters.