10 Facts About James Killick

James Killick was a British sea captain, shipowner and entrepreneur.

Captain James Killick was born in the Surrey village of Cheam on 26 August 1816.

James Killick's family had lived in Cheam since 1741 when John Killick obtained a lease on a late fifteenth century house known as Whitehall.

James Killick was apprenticed to Captain Bowlby, part owner and Captain of the 'Ganges' on 1 August 1833, and went to sea for the first time at the age of 16.

The ships in which James Killick served between 1837 and 1840 are unknown, but he is recorded by the Canton Press as being in command of the barque 'Arun' in Canton during December 1841.

On 7 May 1845 James Killick is recorded as taking command of 'John Dugdale' built in Whitehaven in 1834.

James Killick relinquished his command of the vessel in 1851.

James Killick was the 291st ship built by the yard and was a remarkable departure from the previous ships produced.

On 8 August 1853 Captain James Killick commenced another race with Challenger against the American clipper Nightingale from Shanghai.

Basil Lubbock and David MacGregor in their various publications mention in his later life Captain James Killick became affectionately known as the 'China Bird' and the 'Admiral' and when he died in Margate, Kent, on 29 October 1889 some of his obituaries referred to these 'nick names' and show the high regard and respect which his friends and colleagues held for him.