Mr Johann Gabriel Martin OHLMEYER

   FamilySearch ID: 9V7Y-9CX.

  General Notes:

JGM Ohlmeyer born in Hamburg Germany before migrating to Australia around 1849. Died and buried in Tanunda, South Australia

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Citation for services as Lifeguard: Citation for JGM Ohlmeyer for services to lifesaving on the Alder River in Hamberg, 1850, Hamburg, Germany.

Out of the "Hamburger News", 7 December 1850 (translated from original German)

The duty of recognising honest fulfilment of duty and thorough ability demands that I should here mention the fame of the former Curator of the Alster, J.G.M Ohlmeyer. He, during the past year has left Hamberg to go to Adelaide with his wife and family. For many years past he was very active in the interests of our Life Saving Institution. With enthusiasm and care he not only was unceasingly attentive in the particular overseeing of the Life Saving Apparatus of the Alster, ie the ice boats, but his inventive genius was often very useful to us in the improvement and perfecting of the same. So him we must thank for the improvement of the ice boat as they now are to be found on the Alster.

When in the year 1836 the ice boats for the most part had to be replaced, it was Ohlmeyer upon whose advice the chests, usually found in the middle of the boats were removed, provided to make their handling lighter on the ice and especially the attaching of the broad cork bands to the boat to prevent their being easily upset. Through all of which a highly essential improvement resulted due to Ohlmeyer. Besides which several years previously Ohlmeyer invented the idea of a rescue hook being added to drag the naked bodies out of the water, which has been particularly of use at all bathing resorts. One of these which I provided some years ago has been lost but thier expediency is going to be proved by the attempt which is being now made by my successor at Gasbrook to have a similar one made.

Not least to extol is the self-sacrificing fearlessness with which Ohlmeyer was invariably the first on the scene of any accident on the Alster. More than one occasion is known to me where he, with the greatest circumspection and disregard for his own life, rescued lives from the floods. He carried out the duties of his profession as few have done, and therefore I feel that his name, which appears in this account must not be allowed to be forgotten.

Written by DR ROTHENBURG
Director of the Life Saving Institution.

Johann married Johanna Caroline BORGER in 1827 in Germany. (Johanna Caroline BORGER was born about 1800 and died about 1880.)