New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-24

tnt ana chairman or the bOdru VI
Directors Of the White Star Line Steamship
Company. died suddenly this evening He was
born January {. 1887.
There are few names more honored in the ship
ping world than that OF Thomas Henry Ismay
As chairman OF the famous White Star Company
he occupied position OF great influence and re-
sponsibity, and 1t would be difficult TO estimate
the value OF the services he rendered, the or
ganizer and guiding spirit OF that famous line OF
ocean greyhounds" to the cause OF commerce and
Of international friendship. Throughout his lie
Mr.. Ismay closely identified with the Industry
Of which he acknowledged leader. Like
the members OF another great Liverpool shipping
family-the Brockebanks-he hailed from the shores
Of the Soway, and 1t may be said that the love OF
ships and shipping which always characterized him
was inherited from his ancestors, who for several
generations were concerned In the building ana
owning Of vessels He born at Maryport, In
Cumberland, in 1897 the year OF Queen Victoras
accession. being the eldest son Of Joseph Ismay
shipbuildcr and shipowner in that little town. He
was educated at Croft House School, Carlisle. His
father sent him when he was sixteen years OF age
to Liverpool and apprentlced him to Messrs. Imrie
Tomlinson Co., shipowners and shipbrokers
During the years which he remained with this
firm Mr.. Ismay worked with diligence and industry
In 1861 when the experiences gained in his appren-
ticeship had been supplemented by travel. he &C
quired the business OF the White Star Line OF
Australian sailing clippers from the retiring owners
Even in those days the flag OF that historic line
we'll known emblem. 1t is considerably over
half century since it first hoisted to the
masthead OF the smart clippers which superseded
the small sailing ships when the latter were over
whemed by the rush for the gold fields OF Australia
But prophet OF the day could have foreseen TO
what great dimensions that famous company would
develop n consequence OF the foresight and skill
full management Of the owner. In the year
ain
formed the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company
better known by the name OF the White Star Line,
by reason OF the fact that the old flag OF the
Australian ships was adopted the house flag
OF the companys steamers. He was shortly
afterward Joined IN the management by william
Imrie Of the firm OF Messrs. Imrie Tomlnson q
Co. with which Mr.. Ismay had served his appren-
ticeship. and the name OF the firm became Ismay
Imrie & Co. under which style 1t Is stu carried
on. In 1851 ". s Graves OF a well known
former VI. p for Liverpool, became a partner and
In 1891 Mr. Ismay's two elder sons, j. Bruce Ismay
previously the company's agent in New-York-and
James II. Ismay. also admitted members or
the firm. Prior 10 the formation Of the company
the North Atlantic passenger trade was catered
for almost exclusively by the Cunard and lnman
lines but Mr.. Ismay. I'm spite of the strength OF
these important competitors. brought factors to
bear upon his entrance into the trade which went
a long way 10 insure success. He was firmly OF
the opinion that II was possible to build vessels
which. while holding their for speed. comfort
and efficiency, would In the important matter OF
economy leave all rivals behind. He brought
in contact with Mr.. (afterward SIR Edward J.
Harand the founder of the firm Of Messrs. Harland
& Wolff. Limited, and had frequent consultations
with him.
The first outcome Of consultations the con-
structon OF the old Oceanic the first ship Of fleet
Of high class steamers built expressly for the
American passenger trade. She was launched on
August q, 1870 and sailed for NewYork on her
first voyage under the White Star flag on March 2,
1871. She was followed in quick succession by the
Baltic Republic Adriatic and Celtic, forming
complete service Of steamships equaing in speed ana
ahoat. year later the Asiatc. the Tropic, the
Gaelic and the Belgic were added to the meet put
were afterward sold. The Britannia and the Ger
manic two larger ships, representing considerable
notifications and improvements upon the nEs mrs.
steamers Of the line out in lS14-15. From this
but in 1881 operations began VITA the addition OF
trade In 1888 came the Ionic and the Dorc for the
Belgic-replacing the two older ships Of the same
names-for the transpacihc trade. After another
interval extending this time 10 three years. the
company introduced two steamers named the Cutie
and the Runic for the cargo ana oae trade 9e
sufficiently successful to warrant the company IN
steamers The fleet now consists; including the new
Oceanic. the largest in the world, and the Perstc,
9t o the asFege M tons rendering
the White Star fleet one Of the largest and finest in
Mr.. Ismay served several royal and depart
mental commissions. where the benefit OF his knowl-
edge regarding shipping matters proved Of great
value. In 1857. on attaining his hftieth year. he
founded pension fund for old and worn out Liver
pool sailors trading into and ont OF the port OF
founders and for over twenty-five years the chair
and treasurer Of the training ship hide
fagable an institution. the only Of its kind in
Great Britain. for training orphans OF sailors and
other destitute boys for the sea, which since rs
formation has been the means Of educating AMI
giving a start in life TO more than two thousand
poor lads. Mr. lsmay was director IN more than
important company, including the London and
Northwestern Railway.
December 81. 1891 from the firm Of Ismay. Imrie
& Co. OF which he the founder but he con-
tinued 10 control the destinies OF the White Star
Line as its chairman. He had beautiful place,
Dawpool. on the banks OF the Dee In Cheshire. |
where are to be found some fine pictures and many
curios collected his and Mrs. Ismays travels.
He married a Scottish woman. He leaves family
OF three sons and four daughters one Of the latter
being the wife Of Godfrey Drage, NJ p. for Derby. !
He was High Sheriff Of Cheshire In 1892