Bruce, John

John Bruce
Born 9 October 1839(1839-10-09)
Capt. John Bruce in retirement
Nationality	Scotland
Rank	Captain
Commands held	S.V. Irene S.V. City of Adelaide (1867–72) S.V. South Australian

John Bruce
Born	1839 Perth
Nationality	Scotland

John Bruce was a native of Scotland, having been born in the City of Perth, on the Firth of Tay, on the 9th October, 1839. He first voyaged to South Australia in 1855 as an apprentice on the Irene, of which his father, David, was the skipper. John then served as First Officer aboard the City of Adelaide under command of his father before being promoted to the captaincy of the vessel in 1867 when his father retired from the sea.

While retired from the sea, David put his time into having built the South Australian, a composite ship of 1040 tons, iron frame, and teak planking. In 1872, son John brought the South Australian to Port Adelaide and the command of the City of Adelaide transferred to Llewellyn Bowen.

On the 28th November 1874, John married Ada Eleanor Kathleen Isabella Angas (b. 01 Jun 1853; d. 1931) , daughter of George French Angas English explorer, naturalist and painter who painted some of the earliest views of South Australia from 1844. Ada's grandfather (George's father) was George Fife Angas who played a significant part in the formation of South Australia.

John and Ada had the following children:

• Alicia Janet Bruce, born 17 September 1875, died 01 December 1968
• John Angas Bruce, born 21 September 1884, died 1965
• Kenneth Bruce, born 16 Jun 1887, died 27 May 1976

John retired from the sea in 1881. In 1883, he was chosen from among 41 applicants to fill the position of harbourmaster of the Tyne, with headquarters at North Shields. He had a staff of 18 assistants, and remained there for 28 years, at the end of which period he retired under the age limit.

In 1911, at the age of 71, John Bruce arrived back in Adelaide with family on board the White Star liner Medic from Liverpool en route to Tasmania. He was going to retire and take up residence at Hallgarth, Tasmania, about eight miles from Launceston on the River Tamar West. His two sons took up a life on the land there growing fruit.

In November 1913, John with daughter Alicia visited Adelaide for several weeks to renew some old acquaintences made in the days when he sailed on the South Australia run. They stayed with former passenger Frederick Bullock at St Helens, Prospect Road. Frederick, as a 15 year old, had preumably first met John when both were on the 1867 voyage to London. Frederick kept a diary of the voyage. John's visit to Adelaide rated an article in a newspaper of the day.

John died on the 17th August 1915, aged 75 years and was survivied by his wife, daughter and sons.

Notes

Ship Commands
Preceded by David Bruce	Master of the City of Adelaide 1867 – 1873	Succeeded by Llewellyn Bowen
Preceded by New Ship	Master of the South Australian	Succeeded by Alexander Bruce