Mr. C. BRAUND.
Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
The Western Times. With the Weekly Times incorporated. Friday 16 Feb 1934
Page 7 Column 3
Passing of Fearless Devon Sailor.
SON OF THE “KING” OF BUCKS MILLS
Man Who Sailed the Seven Seas
THE LATE MR. CHRISTOPHER BRAUND
Devon has lost one of her oldest seamen by the death of Mr. Christopher BRAUND, of Bucks Mills, near Bideford, who was a member of a family whose names were mentioned in history connected with the Spanish Armada and Kingsley's “Westward Ho!”
Deceased was a typical sea-faring subject, who loved to talk of his adventures – and they were many – on the ocean.
His death severs the last link with the late Mr. James BRAUND's family, who, for many years, were associated with Bucks Mills, that pretty little North Devon seaside village.
Life of Adventure.
Only one elderly BRAUND remains at Bucks Mills now. He is Mr. Thomas BRAUND, of the family of the late Mr. Thomas BRAUND, who has reached the age of 84 years.
The death of Mr. Christopher BRAUND took place early on Tuesday morning last at the residence of his daughter, Mrs(?) BRIMMACOMBE, 45(?), High-street, Bideford, at the age of 87 years. Deceased leaves a grown-up family of five sons and four daughters. There are 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Mrs. BRAUND died nineteen years ago.
Mr.
C. BRAUND.
FEARLESS RACE.
Mr. Christopher BRAUND was a member of a fearless race of men, known as the “Braunds of Bucks,” who for five generations have made their homes in the little fishing village of Bucks Mills, which lies on the North Devon coast about three miles from Clovelly.
The story of Mr. BRAUND's life is a story associated with all the romance and dangers of the sea, and he well upheld the traditions of the sea-faring family. He crossed the equator in a sailing ship on four occasions, and sailed the “seven seas” under all conditions.
FATHER A PILOT.
Mr. BRAUND was the last surviving child of Mr. James BRAUND, who was pilot over Bideford Bar for 25 years, during which time he never lost a single vessel or life, and in addition to this record saved 12 lives. Mr. James BRAUND was appointed head of the BRAUND clan and “king” of Bucks Mills, and had a family of eleven.
ATTRACTED EARLY TO THE SEA.
Mr. Christopher BRAUND was attracted to the sea in his early boyhood. At the age of 15 he joined the crew of the schooner “Robert of Bideford” under Capt. John JEWELL, of Clovelly, which traded with gas coal between Newcastle and Bideford. Later he sailed in the brigantine “Isabelle Margaret,” and afterwards in the “Weaver Bell,” but he remembered best of all his fourth vessel, the “Alice,” in which boat he went on a two years 'voyage to 'Vigo, Cadiz and Rio Grande, and loaded home to Bristol, via Queenstown, Ireland, with tallow, hides and 4,000 bullock horns. On one occasion he nearly lost his life, when the “Saint of Liverpool” had her canvas carried away and drifted helplessly into Middlesbrough, after being at the mercy of the North Sea.
PAINTING AS HOBBY.
In the quiet eventide of a life full of perils and adventure, he spent many hours painting pictures of the various ships in which he sailed, and used to walk six miles daily, attending the Parish Church each Sunday morning. He had a family of nine children.