Professional Skipper Magazine from VIP Publications

OB I T U A RY HARRY LANCELOT HUGH JULIAN OBE, QSM, JP 1925 - 2012 WATERFRONT LEGEND BY ALAN MOORE, NZOW MCIT H arry Julian crossed the bar on Saturday October 27, 2012. Harry had been suffering from cancer of the oesophagus since March and passed away at home surrounded by family. Harry was born in Hikutaia, on the Hauraki Plains near Thames, on August 11, 1925. He was a fifth generation Kiwi and very proud of that. He was a third generation mariner in the Julian family and worked extensively on the New Zealand coast in his early days. While Harry had the sea in his blood his greatest pride was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife June for 68 years. He is survived by his wife June his three children: Barbara, Susan and Lance, his daughter-in-law Sharon, his eight dchildren. grandchildren and his 16 great grandchildren. Harry grew up on the water. He attended 14 schools in his 11 years of education as he travelled the Thames Estuary with his grandfather, mother and father, who were all involved in early Coromandel logging activities, the shingle quarries and water transport on the coast. During the war years the family y tugboat Odin was commandeered by y the US Navy and was used to deploy y Auckland harbour���s extensive boom m defence system. he He was just 16 years of age at the nd time and he, his grandfather Harry, and father Lance, continued to grow the business towing rafts of logs, and using ing mber scows, tugs and barges to bring timber d and building supplies into Auckland for olis. the growth of the developing metropolis. In the early 1960���s Harry was approached by the Dillingham Transportation Corporation of Hawaii and between them they introduced a coastal tug and barge service to New Zealand. Anyone who knows Harry and the history of this operation will appreciate that he ran up against stiff union opposition. This was mainly because the Seaman���s Union did not take kindly to having thousands of tonnes of cargo being transported on barges towed by tugs with crew numbering less than nine men, in direct competition with the coastal freighters, as the unions had agreements and effectively a stranglehold, on employers for crews that stipulated minimum manning levels in excess of thirty or more. In the end the union froze them out by preventing access to that fundamental commodity: fuel. This made development of the business almost impossible and ultimately Dillingham���s capitulated and returned to Hawaii, leaving New Zealand to work the manning of these issues out for themselves. Dillingham���s move was critical for the Julian family and they offered Harry a position back in Hawaii. Harry returned to New Zealand in the late 1960���s and became involved in Cook Island Shipping in 1970. He expanded his interests in business on the Auckland Harbour through the purchase of the Subritzky family business of Bradney & Sons, the George family business of Blue Boats, Kawau Island Ferries, and the introduction of Captain Cook Cruises to the Auckland harbour. Harry wrote his book Sea in My Blood and it is a true piece of New Zealand maritime history as seen, experienced and enjoyed by Harry Julian. It was during this period that he became very involved with the Auckland Maritime Museum the Auckland Yachting Association, the New Zealand Yachting Federation as the President, the Auckland Harbour Board, the New Zealand Shipp Shipping Corporation, and the Pacific Forum Line as Chairman of the Board, Infras Infrastructure Auckland and the Marine Herit Heritage Trust in an advisory role. Ha Harry���s political life was not always as cl clear to others as he saw it himself, but he always had a clear vision and was able to talk about what he bel believed to be was in the best interest of the Auckland Harbour, Auckland Ci City and New Zealand���s maritime in interests. At the celebration of his life at St Mary���s Church, one of his l long standing friend���s, lawyer J Judge Mark Perkins, poignantly commented, ���Had Robert Muldoon not lost his last attempt to be the Prime Minister of New Zealand, we would not be referring to Har Harry and June as Mr and Mrs���. A diversion for Harry w the Fullers episode. Harry saw was the opportunity to purchase this large ferry business as a logical extension of his interests. History will tell us that economic conditions deteriorated and eventually the group was put into receivership. The operation was split into Northland and Auckland sections and Harry offered to purchase these but was rejected. Harry���s son Lance had branched into the movie business and he called on Harry for help. Some 20 years later he was involved 47 feature films and television projects including the James Bond film Quantum of Solace and the classic Titanic. Harry was able to offer his skills in support. Not many people would know that Harry was a choir boy as a child and later took a strong interest in the Seaman���s Mission. Although not a regular church go-er in recent years, he did love St Mary���s Church in Parnell and he assisted Dean John Rymer, a long standing friend, with advice about getting the building across the road to its present position. The maritime community of New Zealand mourns his passing and offers condolences to his family during this sad time. January/February 2013 Professional Skipper 7

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