Edmond James Wann

Son of John Thomas (Tom) Wann and Margaret Wann, Edmond James Wann was born in Matakana, New Zealand in 1875. Eddie, as he was known, grew up on the family farm at Matakana. He went to sea at an early age, and had many years' experience in the New Zealand coastal trade. He first went to sea as ship's boy in the 'S S Kotiti'. About 1903 he was appointed Captain of the 'S S Kapanui' which ran to Waiwera and Warkworth on New Zealand's North Island coast.

In 1904 Edmond James Wann married Florence Mary Owens at Woodville. The couple met as Florence was Waiwera's first post mistress and when the boat pulled up to the wharf at Waiwera, Florence would be there with the bag of mail. About 1906 Eddie returned to the farm at Matakana but but left again in 1909 to join the Northern Steamship Company with whom he was employed for 21 years. He was for many years in the 'Rawara', in the trade between Onehunga and New Plymouth and Eddie was also for a time inthe steamer 'Ngapuhi' on the run to Tauranga.

Captain Eddie Wann inaugurated the Auckland to Waiheke Island service in the 'O V Waiuku', and he also served in the 'Waimarie' which ran up the Thames River to Paeroa. He was said to have been very popular with the passengers.While he sailed in the Sandspit, Matakana and Warkworth areas Eddie undertook buying for the isolated farmers up and down the waterways and is said to have on one occassion acted as midwife. In 1926 he took over the 'S S Rangototo' on the Thames and Great Barrier Island Sservice.

In 1910 Eddie bought 100 acres of the land at Wanns Bay in Lower Matakana from his father. A home was built for Eddie and his wife Florence right on the beach front. About 1926 Eddie bought a house in Remuera, Auckland. It was in 1930 that Eddie resigned from Northern Steamship Company to join the firm of Watkin and Wallis, and for the nect 10 years he was in command of the 'Duchess' in the Waiheke and Kawau service.

Florence Wann died in 1932. In 1940 following the outbreak of World War 2, the NZ Navy took over the 'Duchess' and for several months it was engaged in minesweeoping. Eddie was commissioned Lieutenant. In 1941 Eddie resigned due to ill health.

Edmond James wann died in Auckland 1944. Eddie and Florence Wann had 2 children, both born in Auckland.

Ethel Millon Wann
John Owens Wann