Thomas Richard Pearce
Irish ship master / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas Richard Pearce (1859–1908), born Thomas Richard Millett, was an Irish ship master in the UK merchant marine. He served his apprenticeship on sailing ships with Aitken & Lilburn's Loch Line, and then rose through the ranks on steamships with the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (RMSP).
Thomas Richard Pearce | |
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Born | Thomas Richard Millett 31 October 1859 Millbrook, County Tipperary |
Died | 14 December 1908(1908-12-14) (aged 49) |
Burial place | Southampton Old Cemetery 50°55′13″N 1°24′47″W |
Occupation | sea captain |
Years active | 1875–1906 |
Employer(s) | Aitken & Lilburn, then RMSP |
Known for | surviving shipwrecks |
Spouse | Edith Gurney Strasenburgh |
Children | 3 |
Awards | Victorian Humane Society Gold Medal |
On sailing ships Pearce survived three shipwrecks: those of Eliza Ramsden in 1875, Loch Ard in 1878, and Loch Sunart in 1879. When Loch Ard was wrecked he saved a passenger from drowning, for which the Victorian Humane Society awarded him its first ever Gold Medal.
Pearce's stepfather was a ship master, both of Pearce's sons went to sea, and all three died in shipwrecks. In 1906 Pearce took early retirement due to ill-health. His death in 1908, aged only 49, prompted RMSP to found its superannuation fund.