Thomas Lipson

Thomas Lipson, R.N. (ca.1784 – 25 October 1863) generally known as Captain Lipson was born in Dartmouth, England. He had a successful if unspectacular career in the Royal Navy before being appointed by the Admiralty as the first Harbour Master at South Australia, arriving there with the pioneer settlers. Serving from 1836 to 1855, based at Port Adelaide, Lipson also superintended many of the initial maritime surveys of that new colony.

Career

The Lapwing (built 1808 in Mevagissey, Cornwall) was to turn up later in South Australia - she was brought to Port Adelaide in May 1850 and sold to merchant Ephraim Teakle. She made regular voyages to the Perth, Western Australia and Melbourne, Victoria. In 1852 she was sold to Captain George Hall, William Paxton and Captain Henry Simpson (d. 26 April 1884), and in April 1853 transferred to Captain William Francis Jnr.[4] She was wrecked at Port Elliot on 6 September 1856 during a gale, when the government moorings gave way.[5] The crew escaped unharmed but two sailors died when they attempted to return to the vessel. The ship was not insured and Captain Francis was bankrupted.[6]

Character

"One particular trait in the character of the lamented gentleman should not he lost sight of, and that is that general urbanity and affability which at all times marked his conduct in his intercourse with persons of inferior rank in life. An old acquaintance, though he might he in humble garb, was to him an old friend, and was recognised as such wherever met, and many a time has his warm heart flushed his happy face on meeting a subordinate or tradesman busy about his ordinary duties. Open-hearted, candid, and outspoken himself, he sought and felt delight in association with similar minds, wherever he found them"[1]

Family

Thomas Lipson married Elizabeth Emma Fooks (1791 – 30 May 1880) of Melcombe Regis on 30 July 1812.[9] They travelled to South Australia on the "Cygnet" with six children:

subject of book "First She Lived : the journey of Eliza Lipson Allan" by Rhonda Poholke ISBN 978-0-646-49637-5

Recognition

Street names with a possible connection are: Lipson Place, Port Lincoln, Lipson Avenue, Kadina, Lipson Road, Wallaroo and Lipson Grove, Hawthorn.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Late Captain Lipson, R.N.". South Australian Register. 27 October 1963. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  2. Marshall, John Royal Naval Biography; Or, Memoirs of the Services of All the Flag-officers p.209
  3. "Lieutenant Thomas Lipson" (PDF). London Gazette. 23 December 1818. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  4. "The Parsons List - J to Q". Encyclopedia of Australian Shipwrecks. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  5. Gales on the Coast South Australian Register 9 September 1856 p.2 accessed 14 October 2011
  6. Insolvency Court South Auatralian Advertiser 26 November 1858 p.3 accessed 28 October 2011
  7. "Legislative Council". South Australian Register (Adelaide: National Library of Australia). 15 October 1851. p. 3. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  8. "Our Maritime Laws". South Australian Register (Adelaide: National Library of Australia). 30 June 1881. p. 5. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  9. "Captain Thomas Lipson". Bound for South Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  10. "Local News". South Australian. 22 July 1851. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  11. Shipping Intelligence South Australian Register 1 March 1853 p.3 accessed 14 October 2011
  12. Max Slee Inman : first commander of the South Australia Police, Seaview Press (Adelaide 2010) ISBN 978-1-74008-559-5.
  13. "Grave of First White Woman in America". The Argus. 9 January 1937. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  14. The Late Mrs Allan South Australian Register 30 April 1845 p.3 accessed 18 October 2011

External links

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