Florence Zikking (1871 – 1948), 44, was a British subject and able-bodied seaman who served in the deck department of the Lusitania when the ship was torpedoed and sunk on 7 May 1915. Zikking survived the sinking and continued to serve in the British Mercantile Marine until his death at age 77 in 1948.
This biography has been made possible by Peter Kelly and a collaboration with the Merseyside Maritime Museum
Biography
Florence Zikking was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, on 14 February 1871, the son of John and Abigail (Abby) Zikking. The family home was at 65. Shelley Street, Bootle, Liverpool.
Florence was a professional seaman in the British Mercantile Marine and he signed on as a Bosun’s Mate in the Deck Department on board the Lusitania at Liverpool and reported for duty on the morning of 17 April, before she left for her final voyage to New York.
He survived the sinking three weeks later and having been rescued from the sea, he was taken to Queenstown before eventually being repatriated to Liverpool. In August 1915, he was paid the balance of wages owing to him, his official discharge from the vessel being counted as effective from the morning after the sinking.
On 19 May 1915, Florence enlisted as a private in the 7th Bn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, however, he was medically discharged on the 18 October 1916 as he was deemed to be medically unfit due to sickness.
Florence Zikking continued to serve in the British Mercantile Marine for many years following his ordeal and died in Liverpool on 11 June 1948, aged 77 years.
Cunard and some other records show the spelling of his surname as being Sikking, but Zikking was his correct name.
Links of interest
Florence Zikking at the Merseyside Maritime Museum
Contributors
Peter Kelly, Ireland
Ellie Moffat, UK
References
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths
1871 Census of England and Wales
1891 Census of England and Wales
1901 Census of England and Wales
Cunard Records
You must log in to post a comment.