Captain James Ronald Patrick was born in Bothwell, Scotland in 1880. Aged 12 he ran away to sea, serving as an apprentice on the Glasgow Shipping Company’s Loch Line which operated clippers to Australia. In 1900 he settled in Sydney.

With the advent of World War 1 James Patrick joined the Royal Australian Navy, serving in many theatres of war and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

For his service in the Royal Australian Navy Captain James Patrick received numerous medals including the Gallipoli Star.

Immediately after the war James Patrick formed a new shipping venture Patrick Steamship Co Ltd.

James along with his two sons, Ken and Ron, the Reeds and Radfords took on the establishment, and broke down barriers. He was the first to introduce profit sharing for his crew.

On July 16, 1941 with Australia’s entry into WWII, James Patrick and Company’s ships were requisitioned by the federal government to be managed under the control of the Shipping Control Board with Captain Patrick appointed as a board member.

Sadly, Captain James Ronald Patrick died suddenly on May 7, 1945 while playing cards with his family.

He was known as a dynamic, courageous and passionate person and laid the platform for the largest stevedoring company in Australia. He would be proud that his legacy is a company that has been at the forefront of innovation and achievement.