Captain Andy Thomas

Andrew Thomson (21 January 1887 - 17 October 1975), was an American-born Cook Islands trading schooner master associated with the inter-island vessels Tagua, Tiare Taporo and Charlotte Donald. He spent most of his maritime career in the Cook Islands trade and was described by Pacific Islands Monthly in 1962 as one of the last old-time South Pacific schooner masters. The same voyage continued from Penrhyn toward San Francisco in February 1929 and reached the Golden Gate in April 1929.

In February 1931, while in command of Tagua, Thomson brought the vessel through a severe hurricane near Aitutaki and reached Tahiti for repairs. Pacific Islands Monthly reported in 1932 that Tagua and Thomson had attracted wider attention because of Frisbie's writing.

Thomson took command of A. B. Donald's auxiliary diesel schooner Tiare Taporo in 1939.

During the war years Tiare Taporo served as an important link between isolated Cook Islands communities, according to Pacific Islands Monthly. In February 1948, with Thomson in command, Tiare Taporo survived five days in a hurricane near Fiji; the magazine reported that Thomson remained at the wheel for more than four days and nights with only brief rests.

Tiare Taporo returned to the Cook Islands service in April 1960, and Thomson again became her master.

Reputation and associations

Thomson was repeatedly profiled as a colourful and experienced South Pacific skipper.

Pacific Islands Monthly also credited Thomson with an unusually strong safety record, reporting statements that he had not lost a ship or a man overboard during his career with A. B. Donald. The Rarotongan describes the venue as overlooking the Aroa Lagoonarium Marine Sanctuary and states that it was named for Thomson. The villa's name refers to Tiare Taporo, which the resort translates as "Lime Blossom", and the resort states that Thomson hosted Robert Dean Frisbie and Tom Neale on the house's verandah. Cook Islands Tourism also lists the historic house as still standing and says it has been transformed into SpaPolynesia LUXE @ Lime Blossom Villa.

Thomson's grave at Rutaki is documented in his 1976 obituary, which reported his burial in the grounds of his home. A later A. B. Donald commemorative page states that Edwin "Ned" Dav.