Richard Phelps Gough facts for kids

Captain Richard Phelps Gough (born February 27, 1869 – died October 12, 1930) was a brave Welsh seaman who spent 50 years working on ships. He was born in Swansea, Wales, to William and Mary Ann Gough.

Young Captain Richard Phelps Gough at the end of the 19th century

Captain Gough married Harriot Winifred Bright in Swansea on October 15, 1908. They lived in Swansea and had four children. Two of his brothers were Horace Nichol Gough, a marine engineer, and George Gough, a headmaster.

Gough was a sea captain, a master mariner, and later a Sea Pilot in Swansea from 1904 to 1930. He was known as one of the most important seamen in South Wales during the 1920s. He was also a very friendly person who enjoyed speaking in public, often sharing exciting stories about his adventures at sea.

Early Life and First Sea Adventures (1883-1904)

Captain Gough had an amazing story about how he first went to sea. When he was just 14 years old in 1883, he was sent to buy bread. Instead, he secretly snuck onto a ship called the Wenona, a type of sailing ship called a barquentine. To look older, he even wore a bowler hat!

He was only discovered after the ship had sailed too far to turn back, past a place called Worms Head. This was the start of his long career at sea, which included many trips around Cape Horn, a very dangerous part of the world for ships.

Gough's Certificate of Competency as Master of a Foreign-Going Ship

After his first adventure, Gough became an apprentice for four years (1884-1888) on ships like the Ravenscrag. He earned his mate's certificate in 1890 and his master's certificate in 1896. This meant he was qualified to be a ship's captain.

He worked on many different ships, including the Kildonan, Taunton, and Sumbawa. His first time as a master of a ship was in 1893, when he was only 24 years old. This happened when the captain of the Sumbawa sadly died at sea. Gough took charge and successfully sailed the ship, proving he was a very capable and reliable officer.

The Ship Sumbawa: R P Gough as acting Master for the first time in the Merchant Navy, at the age of 24 (1893)

Letter "Island Line Sailing Ship": Gough acting Master for the first time, in 1893 aged 24

Swansea Sea Pilot (1904-1930)

After more than 20 years sailing all over the world, including 10 trips around Cape Horn, Captain Gough became a Sea Pilot in Swansea. Sea pilots guide ships safely in and out of busy or dangerous waters. He worked in the Bristol Channel, which is known as one of the most challenging shipping areas in the world.

He was a pilot for 27 years, first on a pilot boat called the "Beaufort" (from 1904 to 1924). Then, from 1925 until his death in 1930, he served on the "Roger Beck." This new pilot boat was co-owned by the pilots themselves and was much more modern, using oil to power it.

The Swansea Sea Pilots in 1925 from left to right:
Standing: Thomas, Wright, Harris, Byrne, Cleeves, Hanson, Sidney, Jones, Chapman, Bevan
Middle: Phillips, Mitchell, Hanson, Rice,
Front row: Screech, Evans, Gough, Watking, Davies, Clement

Swansea Pilot Cutter "Roger Beck" 1925–1960, property of Gough & other Pilots: built in accordance to many years experience, to maintain efficient pilotage service in conformity to the growing demand of Swansea Harbor. Served well until broken up at Connah's Quay in 1960

Captain Gough was also an active member of the United Kingdom Pilots' Association. This group worked to protect the interests of pilots. In 1908, he and other pilots even met Winston Churchill, who was an important government official at the time. They discussed important issues affecting pilots.

Service During World War I

Captain Gough played a part in World War I. He navigated ships through dangerous war zones and was recognized for his service. He received the Mercantile Marine War Medal and the British War Medal in 1921.

During the war, he and the other Swansea Pilots helped organize the delivery of important supplies to soldiers in France in 1914. He also helped raise money to provide Christmas gifts for the families of Swansea soldiers who had died in the war.

Famous for Rounding Cape Horn

Captain Gough was a freemason, belonging to several lodges. He was also well-known for his incredible achievement of making 10 voyages around Cape Horn on large sailing ships. These ships were often called "Cape Horners." This was a very impressive record, as sailing around Cape Horn was extremely difficult and dangerous.

Connecting Swansea to the World's Copper Trade (1883-1904)

Captain Gough's sailing career was closely linked to Swansea's role in the worldwide copper trade. From 1883 to 1904, Swansea was known as "Copperopolis" because it produced almost 70% of the world's copper goods.

Gough's Pilotage License 1904

Ships like the ones Gough sailed on would bring copper ore from places like Chile, North America, and Australia to Swansea. Here, the ore was smelted (melted down) into pure copper, using the large amounts of coal available in Swansea. These ships would then leave Swansea carrying coal, bricks, and finished copper products.

Sailing these long voyages, often taking a year or more, was very risky. Crews faced terrible weather, strong winds, icebergs, and diseases. Many sailors did not survive these journeys.

Later Life and Legacy

Captain Gough passed away at the age of 61 on October 12, 1930. He was remembered as a "well known and popular Swansea Sea Pilot." His funeral was attended by many important people.

He left behind three sons, Hubert, Glyn, and John, who all followed in their father's footsteps and went to sea. He also had a daughter named Gwyneth. His wife, Harriott, had passed away earlier in 1924. Captain Gough was remembered for his half-century career at sea and his contributions to Swansea's maritime history.