May 28, 1914
Formerly Commanded Water Boat in This Harbor
For Many Years
Capt. John Edward Wennerberg,
a familiar figure about the harbor for many years, he having formerly been in command of
the water boat Wanderer, passed away at his home on Mt. Pleasant
avenue, this morning, at the age of 77 years, 7 months and 20 days, after a short illness,
although he had been in impaired health for some years.
He was a native of Sweden, but came to this
country when a young man and followed the fisheries for a number of years becoming a
master mariner and part owner of vessels, and in 1871 established himself in the business
of supplying vessels with water, constructing a large reservoir for the storage of water
at East Gloucester previous to introduction of city water and also at times procured water
from Salem.
Previous to his coming to this country he was
master of square riggers in Sweden, making voyages to all parts of the world in his
younger days.
He was a man of cheerful and sunny
disposition, always looking upon the sunny side, a well-read and an interesting talker,
and was a man of the highest honor and integrity, his word being as good as his bond.
He had a very large and extensive acquaintance
among the masters of the fishing fleet not only at this port but along the entire New
England coast, with whom he was a great favorite, having always a pleasant word of
greeting or a cheering story, and during the 40 years he ran the water boat, he never
missed a day by sickness.
He claimed to be the first man to put a hole
in the bottom of a dory to free it from water, it having been the custom previously to
capsize a dory in order to free it from water, after being hoisted on deck.
He is survived by his widow and four sons, Emil
F., and Capt. Edward B. of Boston and John II,
and Capt. Herbert P. of this city.
His funeral will take place form his late
residence on Mt. Pleasant avenue, on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. |
