Thomas Andrews’ Bonus
Almost two months after his thirtieth birthday, Thomas Andrews received a letter from Messrs. Ismay, Imrie & Co. – the management company of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Co. Ltd (White Star Line). They felt that all the work he had been doing at Harland & Wolff, which directly or indirectly supported the White Star Line, warranted a tangible acknowledgement. The letter was sent 122 years ago today and, sadly, a mere nine years before Andrews lost his life in the Titanic disaster. (Public Record Office Northern Ireland/PRONI)
Steamship Department
Liverpool
April 1st 1903T. Andrews Esq.
Messrs. Harland & Wolff
Belfast
Dear Sir,
At the last annual meeting of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. the shareholders voted a sum of money to be distributed at our discretion in recognition of services rendered to the company, and having in mind the valuable work which you have performed in a variety of ways on behalf of the White Star Line, we feel that it would be pleasing to all concerned that the opportunity should be availed of to mark our appreciation of same. We therefore enclose a cheque value £200, which we will be glad if you will accept with our best wishes for your future success.
Yours faithfully,
Ismay, Imrie & Co.
