Blase, Claus Frederick

BLASE, Claus Frederick [Frederick] (1857–1939) was born at Husum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, son of Henning Fredrick Blase, a carpenter, and Katherine Clausen. In June 1872, the family departed from nearby Hamburg for Keppel Bay (Rockhampton) and by June 1875, the Blases were working as the first carpenters in Bundaberg. When aged only 17, Frederick supplied “a rough plan” for the Church of England. Subsequently a plan by JC THOMPSON of Sydney was adopted but amended by Blase who later won the tender in seemingly collusive circumstances. In March 1976, the finished Christ Church constructed in up-to-date outside studding was said to reflect the greatest credit on the Blases. What happened to Henning and Katherine Blase is not known but Frederick remained at Bundaberg for the rest of his life. He married Fanny Jane Purdy in 1885 and was later a Director of the Bundaberg Permanent Building and Investment Society. Among his building contracts was RS DODS’ St Mary’s Anglican Church, Gin Gin in 1905. His son Noel Henning Frederick Blase (1885–1952) was also a carpenter.