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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Mr. Thomas Henry Lippitt
Mr. Thomas Henry Lippitt, second officer of the s.s. “Mahinapua,” was born in Shropshire, England, in 1862, and was educated in Ludlow Grammar School. When eleven months old he accompanied his parents to New Zealand in the ship “Huntress,” landing at Lyttelton. His father took a farm at Temuka, where they stayed for about six years. Thomas and his father then left for England in the ship “Bluejacket,” which took fire and was burnt at sea, 300 miles north of the Falklands. Those on board took to the boats, and were seven days and eight nights out on the open sea, before being picked up by the German barque “Piermont.” Several of the castaways were frostbitten, dying in the boats, and one boat was lost altogether. Then, on the “Piermont” the water ran short, and several of the crew died before they reached Queenstown, Ireland. On arriving there the castaways were sent on to Bristol. Their experiences are related in detail in a book called “Round the World,” by Frank Smiles. Thomas Lippitt and his father came safely through all their privations and reached Ludlow, where Mr. Lippitt, sen., is still living. The subject of this notice was apprenticed to Messrs. Eills and Co., ship-owners and chandlers, of Park Lane, Liverpool, and served on the barque “Truth,” trading to the East Indies. He afterwards became second mate on the “Mirella,” trading to South America. Coming to New Zealand in the R.M.S. “Tongariro,” he joined the U.S.S Co.'s service in 1884 as fourth officer on the “Waihora,” and subsequently was third officer on the “Ringarooma.” Leaving to join the s.s. “Elderslie” as third officer, he went to England with that vessel. He got married at Ludlow in 1886, and, returning to New Zealand in the “Ionic,” rejoined the U.S.S. Co.'s service, and has served on several of their steamers.