Captain Alexander MEIKLEJOHN A.k.a. Sandy

Here is Sandy's Story:

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Born: 17 JUL 1835 • Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Died: Whangateau, 29 January 1868

Buried: Matakana Cemetery

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The Quiet Viking

The Meiklejohn Family arrives in Big Omaha on 18 May 1858 after nearly 2 years at sea. Trading and travelling the world on their family-built brig the “Union”. This vessel was sold in Sydney and they arrived in New Zealand on the schooner “Sybil”.

James Meiklejohn and his 6 sons immediately started to build boats following their successful boatbuilding on the Cardigan River, Prince Edward Island. First the Pioneer followed by the Ruby, Victoria, Excelsior. This family built over 21 Boats on the banks of the Omaha River. Almost one a year until 1891.

Alexander (a.k.a.Sandy) James’s 3rd son was 22 years old with years of experience building, sailing, and living aboard ships. A gentle, kind man of huge stature and a long golden beard. A Viking of a man. According to family history his quietness was different from his brothers who had the reputation for being contrary, arguing into the night without settling. Sandy was the big, quiet, shy one.

His sister-in-law Charlotte, brother John’s wife recalls that he was also very fond of children and used to toss his wee niece Eva high up into the air asking her if she could see London.

The family archives reveal that Sandy was an astute boatbuilder and one story tells that during the launching of a vessel from the family boatbuilding yard, Sandy was to cut the tethers that secured the boat upright on its launching cradle.

However, he suddenly felt apprehensive about the other man chosen to sever the ties on the opposite side. With seconds to go Sandy called out to his father and asked him stand by with his axe. On the order being given, Sandy chopped his rope clean and true, but the other man missed his blow. Jim swung his axe and finished the cut, thus averting what might have been a nasty accident.

Between 1859 and 1864 Sandy would help his father sail the small coastal traders that his brothers built on the banks of the Whangateau estuary.

Sandy was 29 with approximately 20 years of boatbuilding and sailing experience when his father asked him to command the “Rapid”. A small schooner of 32 tones, the 6th boat to be built by the family at the Omaha location. She was launched early February 1864 and it was on her first voyage that she capsized in the Hauraki Gulf with the loss of 6 lives including Sandy’s young brother Lemuel.

This second tragedy devastated the family and James stayed angry with his son Sandy for the rest of his life and Sandy didn’t enter the shipyard or aboard a boat for several years instead taking to farming. (You can read about this tragic disaster by following the links below).

Painting of the Day Dawn

However, in 1866 to solve a problem of transporting his farm produce and firewood to the Auckland Market, Sandy returned to the family boatbuilding yard and built a beautiful 16-meter schooner called the “Day Dawn”. Upon her launching in February 1867, he returned to sea and captained the “Day Dawn” on several journeys after which he returned to the farm and boatbuilding.

His younger brother William captained the "Day Dawn" until Sandy’s sudden death on 29th January 1868.

Sandy, our Viking of the Sea. Rest in peace young man.

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You can find Alexander's grave in the Meiklejohn Family Plot in the Matakana Cemetery.

Obituary for Captain Alexander Meiklejohn. Daily Southern Cross. 5 February 1868

Further info https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/new.../DSC18640331.2.26...