Thomas Henry Ismay

Thomas Henry Ismay (7 January 1837 – 23 November 1899) was a one time owner the White Star Line. His son Joseph Bruce Ismay was managing director of the White Star Line and survived the maiden voyage of its ocean liner in 1912. Early years Thomas Ismay was born on 7 January 1837, in a small cottage in the town of Maryport, Cumberland. Some time after Thomas's birth, his father Joseph Ismay started a timber business, shipbrokers and shipbuilder. He bought shares in five vessels coming in and out of Maryport. When Thomas was six, the Ismays moved to a much larger house in Grasslot, Maryport. The entire family moved to the dwelling because of the three sisters Thomas's mother had. The home's name was "The Ropery", the name deriving from the ropes being used at the shipyard laid out in front of the home. This house was near his grandfather's shipyard. This was the first place where he was employed. He spent much of his time around the harbour. He learned here about the sea and navigation along with his most notable habit, of chewing tobacco, giving him the nickname "Baccy Ismay". When Thomas was 12 he was sent to High School in Brampton, Cumberland. On 31 July 1855 his twin sister Charlotte died, aged 18. South American voyage To gain some experience with ships, he arranged a trip to Chile on the S.V. Charles Jackson. She departed Liverpool on 4 January 1856, three days before Ismay's 19th birthday. They arrived on 8 April in Valparaiso, Chile, and stayed there until 30 May. During his stay he indulged in the local culture, visiting theatres, climbing mountains and dancing with the natives. He also noted that "Chilean women are said to be the best formed in the world." After his two-month stay, he took the steamer Bogota to Caldera, Chile, and after arriving there transferred to the SS Conrad. However, it being early morning, it was dark and when he jumped to the ship he missed and fell into the dock. Luckily, he remained conscious and grabbed hold of some wood attached to the pier. After coughing up seawater, he made a great deal of splashing to get help, as nobody had noticed him fall. He was eventually heard and rescued by rope; however, he lost his hat, broke his watch and ruined his notebook, cigar case and other things in his bag. At the end of the ten-day voyage, he took a train to Copiapo to meet up again with the Charles Jackson.