At age 15 he was one of a party who rescued six customs men from their capsized revenue cutter on the River Shannon.
[1][2][3] While in the West Indies, he met some business men from Derry one of whom, John Kelso, commissioned a boat from him.
[4] Having become a prominent local figure, in 1839 the Londonderry corporation held a dinner in his honour, and in 1840 presented him with a silver service.
He built the City of Derry in 1839, which showcased many of his inventions, and on the Liverpool to Madras set a record speed of 104 days.
[3] Their daughter, Louisa known as "Little Weesy", died at age three and was the subject of many paranormal experiences Coppin had relating to the fate of the Franklin expedition.