Capt Thomas Cook Hicks

  General Notes:

The following is a record of a presentation to Thomas by President Johnston of the US for his bravery in rescuing the crew of two US ships in the gulf of Mexico in 1867.

Two ships' crews rescued by a Liverpool Captain.
Handsome Recognition by President Johnston.

Yesterday, at the usual weekly meeting of the Local Marine Board at this port, Mr James Smith presiding, the following report was submitted by Mr J.T.Towson, the secretary of the board: -

Gentlemen, I am directed by the chairman of this board to report that a letter was received from the board of trade, accompanied with a gold watch from the President of the United States of America, to Captain Thomas C. Hicks, of the Juanita, for rescuing the crews of the schooner C.E.Rosenburg, and the brig Star of Faith, both vessels belonging to the United States. Captain Hicks being about to sail, the chairman at once presented the above mentioned testimonial, which bears the following inscription.
"The President of the United States to Captain Thomas C. Hicks, for the rescue of the crews of the American schooner Rosenburg and the Brig Star of Faith. 1867.
The following is a copy of the letter which accompanied the testimonial.

Marine Department Board of Trade, Whitehall.
8th August, 1867
Sir: - I am directed by the Board of Trade to state to you the information of the Local Marine Board of Liverpool, that the reward mentioned at the foot of this letter, and herewith transmitted, has been awarded by the President of the United States to the person and for the services above mentioned, and I am to request that the reward may be presented to the person for whom it is intended in such a manner as may best express the high sense entertained of his services.
I am to request that this Board may be furnished with the acknowledgement from the recipient of the reward, which the recipient wishes to have an official notice of this or of other rewards given him, either by the British or by foreign Government, for gallantry in saving life at sea, for services rendered to shipwrecked persons, recorded on the certificates he possess, such certificates should be forwarded to the Registrar of Seamen, who will cause the notice to be stamped on the certificate, and will return it as may be directed, and at the same time to enclose a copy of a letter from the American Minister at this court to Lord Stanly, which accompanied the reward in question,
I am Sir, etc
Robert G.W.Herbert.

The Secretary, Local Marine Board, Liverpool
(copy of the enclosed letter above refereed to)

Legation of The United States, London, 27 July 1867.
My Lord,I have the Honour to inform your Lordship, that in recognition of the humanity manifested by Captain Thomas C. Hicks, of the Brig Juanita of Liverpool, in rescuing the crews of American Schooner C.E.Rosenburg, and the Brig, Star of Faith, both of the vessels belonged to the United States, and stranded at Chilterpec in the gulf of Mexico in February last, I have been directed to transmit to you a case containing a gold watch, which I pray your aid in causing to be conveyed through the proper channels to Captain Hicks, as well as at the same time to convey to him an expression of high appreciation entertained by the President of his praiseworthy conduct on that occasion.
Remaining, etc
Charls F. Adams.

Lord Stanley

On presenting the testimonial to Captain Hicks, the chairman (Mr Smith) remarked, I have frequently had the pleasing duty of presenting to Captains in the Mercantile Marine testimonials in acknowledgement of services, in saving life at sea and no Government is more liberal than that of the United States of America. I have been now requested to present to you Captain Hicks, a very handsome and valuable gold watch from the President of the United States. It has been you good fortune to have been the means of saving the lives of two American vessels: - the Schooner C.E.Rosenburg, and the Brig, Star of Faith, and it was the request of the American Minister, Mr Adams, that in making this presentation I should give expression to the high appreciation entertained by the President of you praiseworthy conduct on those occasions. I am given to understand, had it not been for your timely aid, the crews of both vessels would have perished. I hope that you will long live to possess this testimonial, and I have no doubt that if again placed in a position to render service to your fellow creatures, you will act as you have done on the present occasion.
Captain Hicks thanked the chairman for the kind manner in which he presented the testimonial and requested him to communicate his thanks to the American Government.
At the same time he was bound to state that he had done no more than it was his duty to do, and that having been the means of saving several of his fellow creatures which in itself was sufficient reward.



More about Thomas Cook Hicks, Master Mariner.
The Istapa was lost at sea with with all hands in 1874.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation. Ships Master
Master of the "Floris" of Liverpool, was presented with a pair of binoculars by the Board of Trade for the rescue of the crew of the "Mary Davidson" of Aberdeen in distress off the Falkland Islands.

Thomas died on board the "Istapa" on a voyage from Callao, Peru, to England when lost at sea.

• Fact. Also lost with the Istapa was Thomas's nephew by marriage, William Gibson 21 yrs, and another nephew, Issac Hicks, aged 14.

Thomas married Catherine May Gibson, daughter of Capt Stephen (I) Gibson and Elizabeth May, in 1859 in St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England. (Catherine May Gibson was born on 15 Feb 1836 in Scilly Isles, Cornwall, England, died on 6 Jun 1916 in Goodwood, Adelaide, South Australia and was buried in West Tce Cemetary, Adelaide, South Australia.)