TITANIC AND THE ISMAY FAMILY
BE MINDFUL
LETTERS
These transcribed letters should give the reader a sense of the character of Thomas Henry Ismay, his strength and his confidence that helped him to succeed in business.
T.H. Ismay’s father, Joseph started business on his own account, as a shipbuilder and timber merchant. He was also Maryport’s first shipbroker, and had a share in four ships that traded with the port. At that time he traded with the firm Imrie, Tomlinson which his son Thomas would eventually be apprenticed. This is a letter from them to Joseph.
Liverpool.
London.
What has Captain White done with his new ship? We should recommend him to take over a River Plate voyage, it would season his vessel well and surely, and we could fix him out and home, if he wished. We also want a vessel to load a cargo of coals at a Cumberland port to proceed to Barbary and there load a cargo of sugar for Liverpool freights for his run. The coals £3 10s odd per ton and 5/- extra for sent to London 60 days abroad. How would this suit her? We could do better for her here, but then it may prevent her changing ports. We are, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Imrie, Tomlinson.
When T. H. Ismay was twelve, his father was very ill and went to the fashionable spa of Malvern for treatment, leaving the boy to look after his mother, younger brother and sisters. During this time he received this letter from his father.
Malvern, June 30th 1849
My dear son,
Your affectionate father,
Jos. Ismay.
Sadly, Joseph died suddenly at the age of only forty-six. Thomas was aged thirteen.
In 1856, Thomas set about putting his fathers affairs in order. When Joseph died his mother’s brother, John Sealby was made trustee of Joseph’s estate.
It appears that John Sealby had delegated some of his business to his son John, and one of the things he had taken over was the management of two of the ships part owned by Thomas Ismay; Mary Ismay and Charles Bronwell. Thomas visited the latter in Liverpool; he was very shrewd even at nineteen and a half years of age and he did not consider his cousin a suitable person to manage the ship, and said so in no uncertain terms to the Captain of the vessel. This brought an angry letter from John Sealby, which is reproduced here.
Saddle Hotel,Dale Street,
Liverpool
Thomas H. Ismay Esq. October 30th 1856.
Sir,
On my arrival in Liverpool I find that you were aboard of the Charles Bronwell, in the presence of Mr. Jackson and Captain Metcalf, a party in no way interested in the vessel.
You put what I consider a very impertinent and improper question to Captain Bexfield, viz.: -- did he consider me a fit person to have the management of the vessel? Until I have your reply, refrain from making any comments upon.
Hoping to hear from you immediately, an explanation of what you meant.
Yours, etc.,
John Sealby.
On getting no reply he sent off another letter, even more indignant.
Liverpool.
November 1st 1856.
Mr. Thomas H. Ismay.
Sir,
I wrote to you on Thursday last to which you have not replied, as a man of business leaving common courtesy aside I consider you ought to have answered it.
I now beg to inform you that unless I have what I consider a sufficient explanation I decline holding any further communication with you either personally or by letter, as the manner you have conducted yourself in ever since I have had anything to do with the Charles Bronwell has been in plain terms sneaking and underhanded.
I did intend when I last had an interview with you in our office that on my return from Liverpool to have so arranged matters that we would in future have worked together in the matter of the Charles Bronwell, but now I am sorry to say that from what has transpired I never can work with you as from what I have seen and heard my confidence in you is so shaken that I would never know how to believe you.
You may and most likely will consider the tenor of my letter too strong, but in my opinion I have not said one word too much, in fact, scarcely sufficient for the manner in which I have been treated. But allow me now to tell you so that in my cause any further annoyance on your part to cease, that so long as the vessel is in the position that she now is, that I cannot on any consideration (so long as I am interested in her myself and on behalf of my father Joseph) give you into her hands, as I know perfectly well that is what you are fighting for.
A copy of this letter I have sent to my father not wishing to keep anything I have said from him.
I remain,
Yours obediently,
John Sealby.
Thomas’s reply was brief and to the point: --
Maryport.Dale Street,
Liverpool.
Sir,
Your letter bearing the date 30th October was duly received by me. I put the question to Captain Bexfield as to whether he considered you fit to manage the vessel.
You ask an explanation of what I meant by what you consider a very impertinent and improper question. By a fit person I mean one, who if the captain requests to have the vessel supplied with sails, ropes, etc., can judge they are actually wanted or not.
In my opinion you are not capable of judging. Your letter of November 1st came duly to hand with contents duly noted.
I remain,
Yours, etc.,
Thomas H. Ismay
This was acknowledged by John Sealby as follows: -
Liverpool.
November 7th 1856.
Mr. Thomas H. Ismay.
Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter Of the 5th, and I am obliged to you for your opinion, at the same time I will thank you if you have any charges to lay against me as to my unfitness to manage the vessels to favour me with them, so as I may lay before the owners at the next meeting along with the letter I have just received, as I cannot succumb to your individual opinion.
The said charges I will therefore thank you to favour me with in writing against my return home.
I remain,
Yours etc.,
John Sealby.
Followed up by another letter from John Sealby on 25th November, enclosing a copy of the letter his father had sent to the owners of the Charles Brownell:
Maryport,Liverpool
Sir,
Your letter of yesterdays is to hand enclosing bond in favour of the Cumberland Union Banking Company, for your attention I am much obliged.
The owners could not be liable solely for their own individual share, I certainly thought that you would have known that each and every owner is liable so long as he is worth anything whether he signs or not. By placing a mortgage on the ship it would improve our position as our liability would be the same. With respect to an advance by the owners the means adopted was deemed the best.
The sum you offered was too little, therefore I cannot entertain it at that money, as soon as we have our account from Imrie, Tomlinson, a statement showing the position of the ships will be forwarded to each of the owners of the Barque Charles Brownell.
I am requested by my father to inform you, that it is his intention to sell the Brig Mary Ismay on her arrival in Liverpool, and from the tenor of the letter sent to the owners of the Charles Brownell you will see that his intention is the same in respect of her.
On accomplishing the sale of the two vessels to withdraw from the trusteeship, it is needless to make any comment as to his reasons to so doing, as you well know the cause.
I remain,
Yours obediently,
John Sealby.
Maryport.Liverpool.
In conclusion I beg to state that I have offered my shares to Mr. Ismay for the purpose of his buying me out, but his offer being inadequate, I have now determined upon adopting the before mentioned steps.
In justice to myself I must state that at the time I offered him my share, it was with the distinct understanding that I had the sanction of all the owners before I could sell, as I deemed it wrong to sell out myself without the sanction of all concerned.
Hoping the steps decided upon may meet with your approval.
I remain,
Yours obediently,
John Sealby.
It can be seen from these letters Thomas successfully rid himself of his trustees.
Ismay Family