Among his most famous adventures was the running of arms to the Russians on the steamship Montara in 1905, traveling from San Francisco through a Japanese blockade and delivering arms, ammunition and food supplies to the Russians at Komondorski Islands and beyond to Vladivostok. For his valor, Reilly was awarded a gold cigarette case from the Czar of Russia. For the better part of his career as captain, Reilly worked for the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. A small portion of time was with the Pacific Mail. Much of his career was spent ferrying passengers and cargo from San Francisco and Seattle to and from Alaska. A noteworthy vessel under his command was the Umatilla (steamship; built 1881), which spent much of its time in Alaska. Reilly died in 1915.
From the description of Captain Thomas "Foghorn" Reilly collection, 1892-1935 (bulk 1892-1917). (San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Library). WorldCat record id: 699504887
