Thomas Henry Corteen, Thomas Henry

Epithet: 1907-1995

Record type: Biographies

Town / Village residence: Douglas

Biography: Captain Thomas Henry Corteen (Tom) collected photographs of ships that reflected his interest in all things nautical; particularly ship wrecks and images of schooners. What makes his story remarkable is that seafaring was in his blood, and that his family’s story is so well documented in Manx National Heritage's collections.

Tom was born in Douglas in 1907, to Harry Corteen and Margaret Sansbury. Margaret's father, Thomas, was Captain of the schooner Jilt. There are photographs of the Jilt in the Manx National Heritage collections (PG/15909/2), and a painting of her (1958-0229). There is a photograph of Thomas Sansbury (PG/13340) and also archival material from the 1870s which relate to cargo damaged in transit to Ireland (MS 05001/A-G).

Tom’s father Harry, worked for the Ramsey Steamship company and Tom enjoyed voyages with him during his school holidays as a nine year old. During World War One, Harry was on the vessel Ben Rein when it was sunk by a German submarine. Harry survived and we can listen to the story in a recording of Tom talking about the history of the Ramsey Steamship Company (SA 2019-0052/16).

Tom followed his father into a career at sea, as a boy on the schooner Venus with Captain T. Cain DSC and with local coasters before sailing deep water with the Blue Funnel Line. He obtained Foreign Going Certificates before joining the Steam Packet in 1932 as a seaman. He was promoted to Second Mate on the Rushen Castle. In 1939 he was Second Mate on the Manxman (1), serving at Dunkirk and other areas of evacuation. After the loss of so many ships, in 1940 he was seconded from the Steam Packet along with almost all the Second Mates for the duration of the war and saw active service in the Far East.

Tom re-joined the IOMSPCo fleet in 1946 as Second Mate of the Ben-my-Chree (4). From 1960 until 1972 he was a Master. He retired in January 1972 and was a regular member of the Mariners' Choir. He died in 1995 aged 88.

Tom collected photographs of ships that reflected his interest in all things nautical; particularly ship wrecks and images of schooners. Tom’s reminiscences were deposited in the Manx National Heritage archives, along with his professional papers (MS 11514 and MS 15178). Most poignant is the recounting of his horrible experience at Dunkirk and the huge difficulties involved. Learning about this man adds a backstory to the image of him at the helm of Douglas Lifeboat (PG/15909/45).

(Details obtained from 'Steam Packet 175: the official anniversary book of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company', 2005. B160/75; M 26396).

Occupation / profession: Ship's Captain

Nationality: Manx

Gender: Male

Date of birth: 2 January 1907

Place of birth: Douglas

Date of death: 1995

External sources: 17 Hope Street, 24 Kensington Road, 9 Marathon Avenue

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