Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Captain Thomas Eckford, of the s.s. “Neptune,” was born at Chester on the 28th of May, 1850. After leaving school he was employed in various capacities at Hawarden for several years, and afterwards wor ed in a foundry at Liverpool. Captain Eckford went to sea in 1870, and was for several years employed in vessels trading on the English Coast. He came to New Zealand in the ship “Euterpe” in 1874, and worked as an ordinary seaman in various coastal steamers. As joint owner with Mr. M. Clark in the s.s. “Mohaka,” Captain Eckford became first mate in 1881, and afterwards captain of the same steamer, Subsequently he purchased the interest of his partner. In 1887 Captain Eckford disposed of the “Mohaka,” having some time previously joined Messrs. W. B. Girling and R. F. Priddle in the “Neptune,” forty-four tons, now trading between Blenheim and Wellington.