Henry Charles Swan (c.1856–1931) was an English lawyer and New Zealand settler. In either 1901 or 1902 he left for a supposed solo yacht trip around the world but instead ended up sailing up a tidal tributary of Henderson Creek, where he would live inside his yacht for at least 25 years until his death.[1][2]
Swan's Arch, a category II listed structure was constructed by him.
Early life
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Swan was born c.1856 in Gateshead, England to Joseph and Ann Swan (née Robson).[3][4] Swan's father's profession is not recorded but it is believed he was a wealthy individual, possibly a large shareholder in the London and Eastern Great Railway Company.[4] He graduated in law from Oxford University[5][4] and was admitted to the Inner Temple. Swan worked at one of the oldest legal firms in Newcastle upon Tyne,[6][4] known as Arnott, Swan, and Walker, which had been founded by his uncle,[7] from 1880 till at least 1891.[3] Swan married his wife, Edith Mary Widdrington, in Ontario, Canada at the age of 25.[4] Before leaving for New Zealand Swan had established an orchard in Northumberland following an interest in botany.[4][7] Swan would arrive in New Zealand with his wife sometime after leaving his job.[a] Swan would purchase a 69 acre section in Henderson alongside the Henderson Creek in November of 1898 for 220 pounds.[4] This section would be subdivided in 1915 with Swan retaining 13 acres.[3][8]
Swan and his wife lived in Devonport and in either 1901 or 1902 he sailed out onto the harbour aboard the Awatea, Swan's yacht he purchased in 1900. Most reports state Swan had told people he was going to sail around the world.[3][8][4]
Life as recluse
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During his time as a recluse Swan had gotten into botany again. Swan was propagating for the purpose of dealing with orchard pests.[3]
One story about Swan states that no one had heard of Swan since his supposed voyage until 1910, when two boys exploring the Waitemata Harbour managed to head up the stream in their boat. They came across a yacht, and orchard crops, alongside Swan himself.[8] Despite reports of Swan being a complete recluse and being 'discovered' in 1910 after years of isolation there is evidence this is either untrue or a heavily distorted story.[10] Swan was a member of the Plumer Domain Board from 1907–1923 and helped create the domain.[3] Swan's wife was known to meet him every Friday at the Henderson railway station.[10] Swan also had his place of residence listed as Henderson on the electoral roll of 1905.[4]
Swan would be known to some locals as the 'Henderson hermit'.[7]
Swan would study theology and astronomy during his years on the boat. Local children would come visit him and he would teach them about heaven and how to swim.[11][4]
Swan's death was announced via telegram on the 12th of November, 1931.[7] He passed away on the 7th at an Edmonton Road property, being cared for by neighours. He would be cremated at Waikumete Cemetery.[12][4]
Upon his death his £35,000 estate was bequeathed to his wife who still lived in Devonport. His wife would remain in Devonport until she passed away. Swan and his wife had no children.[3][13][4]
Legacy
editSwan's death was reported all over the country as well as back in Tyneside, England. He was described as a 'brilliant barrister' and as an 'eccentric Englishman'. Rumours spread that his estate was worth £250,000 pounds.[2] In actuality his estate was worth less than £35,000 pounds.[14]
One person who had met Swan recalled that Swan had dug up an apple and offered it to him. Swan claimed the apple was 25 years old and he had used a scientific method of preserving it.[15] An apple Swan propagated known as the Golden Swan was well known in West Auckland.[4]
Swan has been remembered as a kind and charitable man who would give his money to those in need.[4] His obituary described him as a philanthropist who 'liberally' gave to charity and the poor.[16]
Lucy Cranwell-Smith, a highly regarded botanist credits Swan with helping foster her interest and learning of botany.[10]
Maurice Shadbolt's novella, Dove on the Waters is inspired by Swan's life.[8]
Swan's Arch
edit| Swan's Arch | |
|---|---|
 Swan's Arch | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Victorian[10] |
| Address | Central Park Drive, Henderson |
| Construction started | Likely before 1923 |
| Completed | Likely between 1921–1927[4] |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Brick and mortar, concrete |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Henry Charles Swan |
| Designated | 12 December 1991 |
| Reference no. | 5429 |
Swan had built tunnels in the side of the creek to store his crops and books from bricks that had fallen off the pottery ships. But other than the tunnels he had also built an archway. Although the tunnels built by Swan would be destroyed by flooding in 1929 the arch would survive. The arch is located near Central Park Drive in a reserve known as Swan Arch Reserve.[8][17][4]
The purpose of the arch is not known but the son of a neighbour of Swan said it was supposed to be part of a swimming pool and fountain, possibly for the purpose of teaching children how to swim.[3] Other theories include it being used to house his yacht, unlikely due to the size of the yacht compared to the arch; that is supposed to be a bridge for crossing the stream; and that it was a type of folly, which were popular in England back when Swan was living there.[10]
Swan likely constructed the arch before 1923 but the construction date is unknown.[3]
An obituary for Swan described the arch as 'a remarkable arch of masonry'.[3] An Auckland Council heritage assessment report described it as a 'gateway to nowhere' and assigned it a category B heritage rating.[10]
Alongside the arch Swan had built a cellar vault that is still extant. The cellar vault was likely constructed between 1921–1927.[b][10]
The arch remained quite secluded so was undisturbed despite the development of Henderson. After the construction of Central Park Drive in the 1980s the arch and creek was discovered after being largely forgotten. The stream filled in but the effort of locals to preserve the arch, including obtaining a Heritage New Zealand listing led to the arch being protected with a reserve created around it.[10] Roughly a metre of the arch is now no longer visible from a build up of dirt.[4]
The arch itself is an open barrel vault with the northern side being decorated. Most of the southern end of the vault is missing. The entrance to the vault boasts two Tuscan pilasters that have a parapet with capitals slightly above. A keystone is featured on the northern side.[10] The arch and wall's bricks are laid in Flemish bond with the soffit being laid in header bond.[4]
The cellar vault, likely built as a library, has decayed and partially collapsed over the years. It is nearly 2 metres high and more than 7 metres in length.[4]
Awatea
editSwan's yacht was taken from the creek several years after his death and was later restored. In the 1990s it was still being sailed.[8]
Notes
edit- ^ Swan would leave for New Zealand between 1891–1895. Spencer Lumsden Arnott who joined the firm in 1892 claims to have remembered Swan which suggests a later date as being correct.[4]
- ^ Government records mention that in 1921 there was as a hut but make no mention of anything else. In 1927 the records only mention a vault[4]
References
edit- ^ Mason, Robyn (July 2009). "A man of comfortable means and leisure - the novel life of an urban legend: Henry Charles Swan of Henderson". West of Eden, Journal of the West Auckland Historical Society (3).
- ^ a b "N.Z. "HERMIT"". Gisborne Times. No. 11486. 13 November 1931.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Swan's Arch". Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u McKenzie, Joan; Reynolds, David (27 March 1991). Swan's Arch and Cellar. New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
- ^ "Henderson Recluse". Auckland Star. No. 281. 27 November 1931.
- ^ "Recluse of Henderson". Waikato Times. No. 18496. 27 November 1931.
- ^ a b c d "Eccentric Englishman - The Henderson Hermit". Evening Star. No. 20949. 13 November 1931. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Gray, Murray (12 September 2002). "Swansong for a lost Aucklander". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ McCloy, Nicola (2021). Who Lived There?. Auckland: Penguin Random House New Zealand. p. 29–31. ISBN 978-0-14-377555-3. OCLC 1268277041.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Key, Jean. "Swan's Arch" (PDF). Auckland Council. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Obituary". Press. No. 20392. 12 November 1931.
- ^ "Death of a Hermit". Waikato Times. No. 18484. 12 November 1931.
- ^ "Auckland Recluse's Estate Valued at Under 35,000". Manawatu Times. No. 6717.
- ^ "Estate of a Recluse". Evening Post. No. 129. 27 November 1931.
- ^ "A Romance of Henderson". Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette. 2 December 1931.
- ^ "A Wealthy Recluse". New Zealand Herald. No. 21028. 12 November 1931.
- ^ "Swan Arch Reserve". Auckland Council. Retrieved 3 August 2024.