Precious

Harwich & Dovercourt Newsman 23rd February 1907

“Capt. Precious had been with the [Great Eastern Railway] Company 26 years, and by perseverance and ability he rose to the rank of captain 14 years ago. He leaves a wife and several children, all of whom except are grown up. Two are in the employ of the G.E.R. at Parkeston, and a daughter is in a G.E.R. refreshment room at Ipswich. He also leaves an aged father and mother, who live at Harwich, the father being a pensioned Customs officer. A man of wonderful nerve, Capt. Precious was equalled by few for coolness and judgement in a fog or moments of danger. He served on several of the other seven boats belonging to the Company, and was widely known and highly esteemed.

Mr C.Busk, the manager of the G.E.R. Continental Department, told a Chronicle representative that Capt. Precious was a most able man, and the Company had the greatest confidence in him. Among those who made inquiries at Liverpool Street was a son of Capt. Precious.”

“Capt. J Precious, the officer commanding the boat, was a fine man, and most competent officer, aged 45 years. He took no risks whatever. He had been in the service of the G.E.R. Company from a lad, and had been over this route thousands of times. He was the senior captain of the fleet.”

“Capt. Precious’s son, a young fellow some 20 years of age, called at Liverpool Street. The officials at once told him that the report was true that his father, Capt. Jack Precious, was amongst those who had gone down. Overcome by emotion young Precious put his handkerchief to his eyes and without making any comment, walked quietly away.”

Harwich & Dovercourt Newsman 2nd March 1907

“Mrs. JOHN PRECIOUS and FAMILY wish to THANK the many Friends for the kind sympathy shown to them in their painful and sudden bereavement through the disaster to the s.s. “Berlin”, in the death of their Husband and Father.

Arlington, Dovercourt.”

“Mrs. Precious, wife of Capt. Precious, travelled with her husband to the Hook on the Sunday, and was to have returned with him to Harwich on Thursday night.”

Harwich & Dovercourt Newsman 2nd March 1907

Mr. & Mrs. JOHN PRECIOUS, the Parents of the late Capt. J. Precious beg to tender their heartfelt THANKS to all kind Friends for the kindness shown them and for the many letters of sympathy received in their sudden bereavement.

Harwich.

Will John Precious (Index Entry)

PRECIOUS John of Dovercourt Essex master-mariner died 21 February 1907 at sea off the Hook-of-Holland Probate Ipswich 31 May [1907] to Luke Richmond master-mariner and Anthony Cecil Pain continental-agent Effects £1125 1s 3d.

1881 Census

Possible entry –

Dwelling:	Vessel: “Matin”
Census Place:	Tendring St Nicolas Harwich, Essex, England
Source:	FHL Film 1341430 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 1782 Folio 130 Page
Entry :	John PRECIOUS U 20 M Essex, England Occ: Seaman

and possible entry for his parents –

Dwelling:	40 West St
Census Place:	Harwich St Nicholas, Essex, England
Source:	FHL Film 1341430 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 1781 Folio 92 Page 13
Entry :	John PRECIOUS M 39 M Poplar, Middlesex, England Rel: Head Occ: Out Door Officer Customs Annie PRECIOUS M 36 F Harwich, Essex, England Rel: Wife Elizabeth PRECIOUS 14 F Harwich, Essex, England Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Mary H. PRECIOUS 12 F Harwich, Essex, England Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar William PRECIOUS 10 M Harwich, Essex, England Rel: Son Occ: Scholar George PRECIOUS 8 M Harwich, Essex, England Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Annie PRECIOUS 6 F Harwich, Essex, England Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Henry PRECIOUS 3 M Harwich, Essex, England Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Richard PRECIOUS 1 M Harwich, Essex, England Rel: Son