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Hi
Thanks for the further information on Thomas William Quirk. My "immediate thought" on your previous post, was obviously wrong, on further reflection. Date-wise, Quirk T (1) may be the grandfather of Thomas William Quirk, and Quirk J may be his uncle, the latter born within a year or two of Thomas William Quirk's father, Michael (assuming Quirk J was in his early twenties when licensed in 1826). This would explain how Thomas William Quirk, the son of a tailor, became a pilot mariner - following in the footsteps of his grandfather and uncle. (I noticed a tick on the census returns for Michael Quirk to indicate that he was born 'blind, deaf or mute' - presumably he was one of the latter two, and hence unfitted for work as a pilot, becoming instead a tailor.
It looks like a visit to the Liverpool Maritime Museum Archives would shed more light.
Thanks again for the help. Much appreciated.
 

Can anyone shed any light for me, please, on the service of THOMAS WILLIAM QUIRK, b. 1827, who was a Mersey Pilot Mariner from at least 1851 until at least 1871? By 1881 he had become an Officer of the Board of Trade in Liverpool, and continued as such until at least 1891. I am not sure when he died. His great grandson recalls seeing in his youth a faded sepia photo of a large schooner with P1 on the sail, which may have been the vessel he served on. Thanks for any help.