The morning call., 1891-11-03
OBiTU AIRY



His many friends Will be panied to learn that
the veteran Captain Grdge passed away after a
long. active and remarkably adventurous career.
Yesterday morning, at his residence In South
Nal!tJo. lie was born In Yarmouth. Norfolk
County, England. many years ago. ana was son
of Admiral tiedge Of the Royal Navy. Living
among The fisher folk on that coast, lie acquired,
as a boy, liking for the sell, and early devel-
opeh strong relish Tor adventure, AT the age
OF 2 lie made voyage from Yarmouth TO Lon
don on fishing smack. and, thereafter, became
ocean child. Gratifying his early formed
TASTE lie entered the English merchant marine,
ana before lie was 81, although rated older. b =
came master OF an emirraut ship bound for Ho-
bart Town NOW known as Hobar) tasmania
where lie remained for some years. Afterward
lie entered the East India COmnany's service.
During the year 1889 of Tie opium
command OF steam frigate belong
service In its interest. Before the Government
OF India was transferred to the British Crown
1S0S-he returned TO Hobart ana engaged In
nieichandis sing, making trading trips from point
To point, and also In The whaling busiuess-bay
whaling, as 1t was called. On enc of his trips 10
New Zealand he was captured by Maori tribe
aud held as prisoner for nearly year.
1 his sketch of his llte-a meager outline. In
fact-gyes only the faintest Impression of the
gentleman's busy career. He made trip from
Tasmania TO C0rio Bay. in what was subsequently
the colony of Victoria, and WAS the first While
man TO step on the present site of & e. long which
for some time promised to take the position of
metropolis OF the colony. He was also the first
10 stand among the gum trees that have given
Among others OF bis voyages, Captain Gedge
came TO this coast In 1916 from Hobart, master
and ownrr Of small vessel laden with an as
sorted cargo sold the goods 10 great advan age
aud returned 10 Tasmania. Some Years prior
10 leaving Hobart. on his trip. he married the
daughter of a British army officer residing there
who blessed HIM with large family. In 1S4S,
after the discovery OF gold in California was
made known, he revisited this coast, bringing n
second cargo OF goods, which found ready mar
ket, and converted his vessel into a storeship.
On board this ship in San Francisco Bay. the
youngest daughter by his first wife was born,
and the captain claimed she was the first White
child born Of foreign parents In this part of Cali
fornia This child Is now Mrs. Captain Andrew
Fuller. and resides with her husband in Homo
lulu. Hawaiian Islands.
Captain Gedge WAS married twice, aud has
reared two families. One OF his sons. Mr..
George Gedge (stage name George Osbourne) has
acquired both fame and fortune by his ability as
an actor.
As sometimes is found to be the case with sea-
fai Ing men. Captain Ged2e suddenly determined
that lie would try farming. So he sold hts store
ship and Invested all his available means 10
Sunoma Valley ranch. Unfortunately he neg
lected to scrutuize closely the title TO this prop
erty; il proved TO be fawed, and he was soou
dispOssessed. Tim he came back 10 San
course of time he was made Superintendent OF
Docks at the North End, and also cam
msnded some coasing Golfers. Soon after
this The late Milton S. Latham, who
was very warm friend of The cap
tain. gave him command OF the finest steamer
In the California Pacific Railroad Company's
the control of The Central Pacific Railroad he
was retained by the NV administration till the
day Of his DEATH 1t will be remembered that,
sons two years ago, tile steamer Julia. OF which
Captain Gedge had command, exploded her
boilers al Vallejo. aud he was painfully injured
These injuries, fiom which II may be said lie
never fully r, covered, no doubt hastened hi.
death. The deceased gentleman was as widely
known as any man in the State He had posi-
tive character, was warm friend and scrupu-
lousy just IN all his transactions. la MS official
capacity he had The rare quality of retaining the
good WILL and even the Affection. of those under
his control, while at the same time exercising the
strctest discipline.