Mr. Thomas Gerard, Second Engineer of the s.s. “Cornwall,” was born at Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1860, and received his education in his native place. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs Alexander Shanks and Son, the principal engineers of Arbroath, Scotland, and subsequently worked for Mr. Robert Stevenson and Sir William Armstrong at Newcastle-on-Tyne. In 1885, Mr. Gerard joined the Ross line of steamers, and was employed on it for five years, during which he filled various posts in the engine room, until he received the appointment of second engineer to the s.s. “Storm King,” which he left to take up a similar position on the s.s. “Lingfield,” a large cargo steamer engaged in trading to all parts of the world, and on which he remained for two years. In 1894 Mr. Gerard joined the “Star of England” as second refrigerator, and after his first voyage, was appointed chief refrigerator to the Company's new steamer “Star of New Zealand.”