Captain

Richard Woodget
Born(1845-11-21)21 November 1845
Docking, Norfolk
Died6 March 1928(1928-03-06) (aged 82)
Docking, Norfolk
NationalityEnglish
OccupationSea captain
EmployerJock Willis Shipping Line
Known forMaster of the Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark in a photograph sometimes credited to Woodget

Richard Woodget (21 November 1845 – 5/6 March 1928)[1] was an English sea captain, best known as the master of the famous sailing clipper Cutty Sark during her most successful period of service in the wool trade between Australia and the United Kingdom.[2]

Grave at St Margaret's, Burnham Norton

Richard Woodget was the son of a farmer in Burnham Norton, Norfolk who first went to sea in the coasters plying the waters of the east coast of Britain. In 1868 he received his master's certificate at South Shields.[1] In 1881 Jock Willis made him master of the old ship Coldstream,[1] and in 1885 he was appointed to command Cutty Sark. A well-respected sailor and man manager, Captain Woodget made several record-breaking passages between the United Kingdom and Australia.[3]

In 1895 Cutty Sark was sold to Portuguese interests, and Captain Woodget transferred to command Coldinghame. However he made only one voyage in this ship before retiring from the sea. He bought a farm at Burnham Overy Staithe in his native Norfolk, where he lived until 1926. In 1921 he married Winifred Basham Parker, his second wife. He died on 5/6 March 1928[3][4][note 1] and was buried in the churchyard of St Margaret's Church, Burnham Norton.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Captain of the Cutty Sark". The Times. London, England. 7 March 1928. p. 21.
  2. ↑ "Cutty Sark – History – 1883 – 1895". Cutty Sark Trust. Archived from the original on 25 June 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2006.
  3. 1 2 "The Cutty Sark". Cutty Sark Preservation Society. Retrieved 22 May 2006.
  4. ↑ Commemorative plaque on house in East Harbour Way, Burnham Overy Staithe. Noted on 20 May 2006.

Notes

  1. ↑ Probate notice gives his date of death as 5 March


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