Shipping and wreck photographs amassed by Captain Thomas Henry Corteen (Tom Corteen)

Date(s): 20th century

Scope & Content: 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 the vessel (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’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).

Administration / Biographical History: Contents include photographs of 'Ben Ain' at Castletown; 'Imber';' Ben Rum' ('Tamara'); SS 'Ramsey Town'; 'Lady of Mann's last passenger sailing in 1971; 'Conister'; schooner 'Fida' from Sweden; SS 'Viper'; 'Ben Jee II'; DO 21; SS 'Empress Queen'; 'Ben my Chree' (paddle steamer); SS 'The Ramsey'; ketch 'Anna' aground at Langness; 'Queen Victoria' at Peel in 1913; Douglas lifeboat; the 'Rose Ann' steam trawler (built by Robert Knox) berthed near 'The British' in Douglas (North Quay); 'Ben Vooar' in Ramsey (sold in 1956); 'Ben Veg'; 'Ben Ain'; 'Ben Rein'; 'Bell's Ferry' and SS 'Ben Veg' moored on North Quay; 'Snaefell' (Paddle Steamer) at Douglas North Quay, 'Margaret Garton', 'Agnes Glover', 'Venus', 'Goldseeker' and 'Jilt' (commanded by Thomas Sansbury), schooner 'Progress'; 'Alyn', 'The Wanderer' (PL 11); 'William Hanbury' (wrecked at Santon in 1942); and the coaster 'Madge Wildfire' wrecked off Langness in 1941.

For accompanying papers see MS 11514 and MS 15178.

Language: English

Extent: 1 box

Item name: photographic prints

Collection: Photographic Archive

Level: FONDS

ID number: PG/15909

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

Subject tags : #ALLATSEA

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