Second Mate Joseph Read Way

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.

Joseph Read Way was born on 14^th October 1859 in Stepney to Master Mariner Robert Thomas and Mary Anne (nee Shaw). He was baptised on 25^th November 1860 at St Dunston and All Saint’s church, Stepney. At the time of his baptism the family lived at 27 Bromley Street, London.

Joseph’s father Robert was born about 1821 in Dorset to seaman Richard and Ann. Robert was baptised on 8^th April 1821 in Portland, Dorset. At the time of his baptism the family lived in Chiswell, Dorset and Richard was working as a seaman. Joseph’s mother Mary was born about 1821 in Ringmore, Devon to shipwright William and Harriet. Mary was baptised on 1^st April 1821 in Ringmore. Robert and Mary Anne married on 17^th July 1847 in Torquay, Devon.

Joseph had nine known siblings: Richard William born about 1849; Robert Thomas born about 1850; Charles Shaw born about 1852; Nicholas Shaw born about 1854 and Mary Ann born about 1856, all in Torquay, Devon. Sarah born about 1858; John born about 1863; Edward born about 1864 and James S. born about 1866, all in Stepney Middlesex.

At the time of the 1861 Census, the family were still living at 27 Bromley Street. Robert was still a master mariner and Mary was looking after their children. The household further comprised of a house servant.

At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived at 110 Grafton Road, Mile End. Mary Ann was looking after her children.

The UK Apprentices Indentured in Merchant Navy reads that fourteen year old Joseph Way was bound on 14^th April 1875 in London for four years to D. J. Jenkins, 17 Lime Street.

Joseph’s father Captain Robert Way died on 23^rd October 1877 at 250 Mile End Road.

On 3^rd November 1879 Joseph received the Certificate of Competency as 2^nd Mate in the Merchant Service. At this time he lived at 250 Mile End in London.

On 23^rd November 1882, Joseph received the Certificate of Competency as 1^st Mate in the Merchant Service. At this time he lived at 39 Huddart Street, Burdett Road, London.

On 1^st August 1884 Joseph received the Certificate of Competency as Master in the Merchant Service. At this time he lived at 191 Mile End Road in London.

Joseph and Rosa Caroline Punnett married on 19^th February 1891 at St Mary’s Church, South Holmwood, Surrey. At the time of their marriage, the couple lived in Holmwood and Joseph Read was a Master Mariner.

Rosa was born in the 3^rd quarter of 1862 in Mile End, London to licenced victualler David Punnett, born about 1821 in Folkestone and Mary, born about 1828 in Shalford, Essex.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the couple lived at Lyal Road, Mile End. The couple had a daughter: Rosa Caroline was born in the 1^st quarter of 1892 in Mile End.

At the time of the 1901 Census, Joseph’s wife Rosa and their daughter Rosa lived with Rosa’s father, David Punnett at The Elms, Dorking. The household further comprised of David’s daughters: Julia Elizabeth and Eleanor Sarah and a servant.

At the time of the 1911 Census, Rosa and Rosa lived with her sisters Julia and Eleanor at the Upton Villa, Harrow Road, Dorking. The Upton Villa had eight rooms.

2^nd Mate Joseph Way drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine on SS “Darius” (Sunderland) on the 13^th of June 1917. He was 57 years old.

“On June 13th, 1917, the British steamer SS Darius, on a voyage from Villaricos to Tyne with a cargo of iron ore, was sunk by the German submarine U-54 (Kurt Heeseler), 210 miles southwest of Fastnet, Ireland. 15 persons were killed.” https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?13623

He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

In 1917 Joseph’s wife Rosa lived at the Upton Villa in Dorking.

Born	Stepney, London
Lived	Holmwood and Dorking
Son of	Robert Thomas and Mary Ann Way
Husband of	Rosa Caroline Way of ‘Upton Villa’, Dorking
Regiment	S. S. Darius (Sunderland). Mercantile Marine
Date of Death	13th June 1917
Place of Death	At sea
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Age	57
Memorial	Tower Hill Memorial, London