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9/4/98
This summary of Fred Noonan’s seafaring career was compiled by Jerry Hamilton, TIGHAR member #2128, from primary source official documents. Where the information presented below differs from that presented in various books about Amelia Earhart – including basic facts such as Noonan's birthdate and the spelling of his first name – the books are wrong. As far as we know, this is the first time anywhere that this information and the photos included here have been assembled and presented in a public forum.
Birth Date
Frederick Joseph Noonan, born April 4, 1893 in Cook County, Illinois.
Physical Description
Height – Six feet and one-quarter inch. Eyes – blue Hair – auburn Weight – 163 lbs (1917) Complexion – ruddy
Special Characteristics
Scar at base of left thumb. Protrusion on forehead over right eye.
Summer – FN said he “left school in summer of 1905 and went to Seattle, Washington.”
Schooner J. W. Clise – Shipped on American schooner from Port Townsend to Chile.
Competitor – Shipped from Montreal to Cardiff, Wales.
Roturua – June 22-Oct. 18. Rated QM. New Zealand Shipping Company, owners.
SS Pannonia – Nov. 2-Dec. 20. Rated B'Mate. Cunard Line.
British steamer Carracas – July 12-Dec. 9. From New York to Valparaiso. Rated 3rd Mate. WR Grace & Co.
SS New York – Shipped on American ship from NY to Liverpool.
 
These photos come from an application Fred Noonan filled out for his Seaman’s Certificate of American Citizenship dated 20 January 1917. |
January 20 – Description Of Applicant form. Provides physical description of Fred and is sworn to by William King of Waco, TX. who also says he knew FN for 2 years.
January 20 – Duplicate application for Seaman’s Certification Of American Citizenship (#730). Addressed to Collector Of Customs, Port of NY. Says he has been employed as seaman since 1905.
Bark Rhine – Jan. 31-Dec. 27. Rated AB. Boston Lumber Co.
January 3 – Issued Seaman’s Certificate (#44386) Of American Citizenship (Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Navigation) to replace original lost on torpedoed vessel.
Bark Launberga – Jan. 16-Sept. 13. Rated 2nd Mate. American Union Line, NY. (His record said 1/16/16 ?)
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Fred has become respectable – note the tie. From Seaman’s Certificate of American Citizenship, dated October 8, 1920. |
Sallust – July 16-Oct. 2. Rated Bosun. Lamport & Holt.
SS Freeport Sulphur #6 – Oct.10-Oct. 27. Rated Bosun. Freeport Sulphur Company, owners.
Feb. 15 – Issued license #26862, Class 2nd Mate from Galveston, TX.
March 21 – Application for officer’s berth by FN. Current position given as 2nd Mate aboard Lake Otsquago. Residence listed as 1821 Avenue E, Galveston, TX. Currently holding 2nd Mate Ocean certificate dated 2/15/21, never suspended. Apprenticed with Sail & Steam line. Last position held was Boatswain with West Hampton (USSB owners). Left due to vessel being laid up. Sea service particulars attached.
Lake Otsquago – March 21-June 10. Rated 2nd Mate. United States Shipping Board, Ward Line.
Covena – Aug. 6-Oct. 17. Rated 2nd Mate. USSB, Lykes Brothers.
Lake Falama – Oct. 18-Nov. 10. Rated 3rd Mate. USSB, Ward Line.
West Kasson – April 2-June 5. Rated 3rd Mate. USSB, Miss. SC.
Eastern Victor – June 10-Nov. 27. Rated 2nd Mate. USSB, Miss. SC.
Nov. 12 – Issued license #31266, Class Chief Mate from Galveston, TX.
December 11 – Official review of “F. J. Noonan, 1st Mate Officer, aboard SS Eastern Victor”. Report dated 11/23/1923 and submitted by H S Chase. Noonan ability rated Bright American Seaman. Ship rated Good. Form indicates ratings choices are good, fair, or poor. Made in Philadelphia.
December 30, 1924 – Official review of “F. Noonan, 3rd Mate Officer, aboard SS Carplaka.” Report dated 10/24/1924 and submitted by J F Paige (Manager, Operating Dept.). Noonan ability rated Good – American. Ship rated Good. Form indicates ratings choices are good, fair, or poor. Made in New Orleans?
Jan. 26, 1926 – Issued license #99065, Class Master from New Orleans, LA.
USSB Reserve Fleet – May 28-Nov. 3. Rated Assistant Shipkeeper.
West Segovia – Nov. 30-?. Rated Chief Mate. USSB, Miss. SC.
NOTE: Much of the maritime history is from a personnel service records file for “Subject, Noonan, Frederick Jos., Deck Officer.” File number 3-A-1, from the US Shipping Board, Emergency Fleet Corporation, Operating Department Division. This file and related information came from the National Archives.
