James Teare

James Teare (6 August 1872 – 3 December 1909) was a Manx merchant navy officer who served as a seaman and later as an officer on numerous Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessels. Capt. Teare is best known as the Master of the RMS Ellan Vannin on her ill-fated voyage from Ramsey, Isle of Man to Liverpool on 3 December 1909.

Life and career James Teare was born in Peel, Isle of Man on 6 August 1872 and raised at St German's Place. He made his career at sea, joining the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company in 1891 as a seaman, rising through the ranks and serving on the Mona's Isle as well as various other company ships. The crew of Mona's Isle (circa 1900). Second Officer James Teare can be seen seated at the far left of the photograph.

As his career progressed he served as First Officer under Capt. Hill on the Snaefell and following Capt. Hill's resignation from the company he gained his first command on the Ellan Vannin which he assumed in July 1904. in 1905 and the Douglas in May 1906. He then left the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and pursued a career with an international shipping line before returning to the Isle of Man and re-joining the Steam Packet Company. However, the weather rapidly worsened and by 06:35hrs, when the ship arrived at the Mersey Bar Lightship, the wind had risen to a Hurricane Force 12, and waves were reported to be exceeding in height.

A strong consensus at the time It is believed she was broached by a large wave, which overwhelmed the ship. She was swept by heavy seas and filled, sinking by the stern with the loss of all passengers and crew. The grave of Captain James Teare, Douglas Borough Cemetery, Douglas, Isle of Man. News of the disaster reached Douglas on the Friday evening, and the directors sat in almost continuous session until Monday. Communication was by telegram and information was difficult to ascertain. At approximately 19:00hrs Also on 17 January the body of First Officer John Craine was found. It too had been washed ashore at Southport. Both bodies were subsequently returned to the Isle of Man for burial.

Aftermath Headline in the Ramsey Courier, Saturday 10 December 1909.The Board of Trade inquiry found that Captain Teare was not to blame for the disaster and the cause was extreme weather. The official inquiry referred to waves high and declared the ship to have been in good condition and fully seaworthy. After the foundering, her masts broke the surface. Divers inspecting the ship found damage to the bows and that the lifeboat davits had been swung out ready for lowering. Soon after the disaster the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board destroyed the wreck using explosives, as it was causing a hazard to shipping in the channel.

Although the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has a tradition of reusing ship names, they have never reused the name .

A song written by Hughie Jones of The Spinners commemorates the disaster.