Enjoyed this very much. My grandfather came to the US from Ireland on Carpathia. He was very proud of the fact that a few years later it was the ship that came to the aid of Titanic. I wrote about Punch Romaine recently, the 6th course in first class dining on that last night. Thought you might enjoy!
My aunt Katie Gilnagh survived the foundering of the ship. She was 16 years of age traveling to New York in steerage. The story goes that James Farrell from her county. Longford in Ireland was instrumental in making sure she got on a life boat. She stayed in the United States and returned wants to Ireland in our late 60s. On her return airplane ride to the United States the aircraft developed engine trouble, and has landed in Newfoundland. The pilots name was Captain Smith, a coincidence but highly remarkable.
Yes, the story was pretty amazing. I do also recall my mother telling me that she was present for the interview of my aunt by Walter Lord the author of a “night to remember.” There’s a photo available of her and her sister, Molly on the Internet. It was taken so that the family back in Ireland would know that she survived.
Another interesting point was that as a survivor of the titanic rescued on the Carpathia, she was third class, they disembarked in New York in class succession. She was among the last to disembark the Carpathia, because she was a third class passenger. She was brought to family by police, and apparently , our family having wrongly thought she was lost with the ship was shocked at her appearance at their door.
Very sad story indeed. So many hopes and dreams went down with that ship, especially in third class. These were the poor people who dreamed of a better life in America. Many of them were Irish immigrants. So sad.
Thank you for humanizing the myth. I thoroughly appreciated both the personal perspective and the information on the less glamorous aspects of the ship.
Fascinating and heart wrenching to hear these stories first hand, and I'm always intrigued by how unresolved trauma has a habit of repeating itself in people's lives through subsequent losses. Thank you so much for sharing.
I also enjoyed this tragic but real experience, your storytelling style reminds me the used by Garcia Marquez, while depicting the details told by the protagonist, is a pleasure read stories made that way. Are you the first to publish this investigation story, or you have a background story about it that you wish to relate, to follow this one?
Hi George, I'm very glad you enjoyed it! This is also my favorite storytelling style. It adds so much emotion to the whole experience of reading about what these poor people went through.
The Collyer family's story has been published on a few other places already. I'm not the first one. Here's a nice article that offers even more details: https://www.bishopstokehistory.uk/a-titanic-story/
I think of my ancestors who were on that ship, but certainly not in first or second class. One was a sailor who perished , the other 3 had traveled from Wales to be relegated to the lower class on board, with no chance of escaping via life boats. What a lesson for the ages...is any "boat" unsinkable?
Very sad indeed. So many hopes and dreams went down with that ship. Many of the ones who perished were in third class and Irish immigrants with hopes of a much better life in America.
Well told history of these lovely and loved individuals. I was struck by some odd coincidences with the daughter. First is with sharing our given name - Marjorie (after my maternal grandmother born in 1903). Growing up my brother referred to me as “Madge” to irritate me! But then I note that your story ends with a date - February 26, 1965. I turned nine years old that day. A little eery, but I count all my blessings as I read the hard turns taken in Marjorie Collyer’s life.
Kind of sums up the last 3 years, the slow death of democracy by free market (accepted corruption) capitalism, the trust (lack of desire to take personal responsibility) people have put into the hands of corporate governance.
Apparently the wealthy families and individuals were actually targets of the evil corrupt politicians and masons of the era.
A very relevant and timely simile, thankyou!
" If you're friends all jumped off a cliff would you"
People seem to have lost their intuition and trust in their gut feelings.
Enjoyed this very much. My grandfather came to the US from Ireland on Carpathia. He was very proud of the fact that a few years later it was the ship that came to the aid of Titanic. I wrote about Punch Romaine recently, the 6th course in first class dining on that last night. Thought you might enjoy!
https://open.substack.com/pub/timetravelkitchen/p/punch-romaine?utm_source=direct&r=jkx01&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thank you, Jolene. I'll definitely check it out!
Incredible story about the Titanic and the people that survived. Thank you for the photos of the people and the ship quarters.
Thanks for reading!
Nice piece of writing, I felt I experienced the family’s Titanic’s experience
Thank you! That was the goal. 🥰
Keep up the good work, you are talented, you make it look easy
My aunt Katie Gilnagh survived the foundering of the ship. She was 16 years of age traveling to New York in steerage. The story goes that James Farrell from her county. Longford in Ireland was instrumental in making sure she got on a life boat. She stayed in the United States and returned wants to Ireland in our late 60s. On her return airplane ride to the United States the aircraft developed engine trouble, and has landed in Newfoundland. The pilots name was Captain Smith, a coincidence but highly remarkable.
Oh my God. What a story!
Yes, the story was pretty amazing. I do also recall my mother telling me that she was present for the interview of my aunt by Walter Lord the author of a “night to remember.” There’s a photo available of her and her sister, Molly on the Internet. It was taken so that the family back in Ireland would know that she survived.
Another interesting point was that as a survivor of the titanic rescued on the Carpathia, she was third class, they disembarked in New York in class succession. She was among the last to disembark the Carpathia, because she was a third class passenger. She was brought to family by police, and apparently , our family having wrongly thought she was lost with the ship was shocked at her appearance at their door.
That sounds like a beautiful, historical moment that I sure would have liked to see. WOW! Thank you for sharing.
Very sad story indeed. So many hopes and dreams went down with that ship, especially in third class. These were the poor people who dreamed of a better life in America. Many of them were Irish immigrants. So sad.
Thank you for humanizing the myth. I thoroughly appreciated both the personal perspective and the information on the less glamorous aspects of the ship.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fascinating and heart wrenching to hear these stories first hand, and I'm always intrigued by how unresolved trauma has a habit of repeating itself in people's lives through subsequent losses. Thank you so much for sharing.
I also enjoyed this tragic but real experience, your storytelling style reminds me the used by Garcia Marquez, while depicting the details told by the protagonist, is a pleasure read stories made that way. Are you the first to publish this investigation story, or you have a background story about it that you wish to relate, to follow this one?
Hi George, I'm very glad you enjoyed it! This is also my favorite storytelling style. It adds so much emotion to the whole experience of reading about what these poor people went through.
The Collyer family's story has been published on a few other places already. I'm not the first one. Here's a nice article that offers even more details: https://www.bishopstokehistory.uk/a-titanic-story/
Thank you, Marina, for letting me know the background history. I'm looking forward to seeing you making more articles like this one.
Enjoyed this a lot!!
Thank you!
Enjoyed the read. It a surreal experience. Pls check out my poem: Queen. You might find it interesting.
I think of my ancestors who were on that ship, but certainly not in first or second class. One was a sailor who perished , the other 3 had traveled from Wales to be relegated to the lower class on board, with no chance of escaping via life boats. What a lesson for the ages...is any "boat" unsinkable?
Brilliant. Simply fascinating.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Very sad indeed. So many hopes and dreams went down with that ship. Many of the ones who perished were in third class and Irish immigrants with hopes of a much better life in America.
Well told history of these lovely and loved individuals. I was struck by some odd coincidences with the daughter. First is with sharing our given name - Marjorie (after my maternal grandmother born in 1903). Growing up my brother referred to me as “Madge” to irritate me! But then I note that your story ends with a date - February 26, 1965. I turned nine years old that day. A little eery, but I count all my blessings as I read the hard turns taken in Marjorie Collyer’s life.
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing.
This was beautifully written! I’ve always found myself connected with the Titanic story. Thanks for sharing this one!
While no particular passenger’s experience resonated with me, you created such a vivid experience. Thank you.
Kind of sums up the last 3 years, the slow death of democracy by free market (accepted corruption) capitalism, the trust (lack of desire to take personal responsibility) people have put into the hands of corporate governance.
Apparently the wealthy families and individuals were actually targets of the evil corrupt politicians and masons of the era.
A very relevant and timely simile, thankyou!
" If you're friends all jumped off a cliff would you"
People seem to have lost their intuition and trust in their gut feelings.
Good point, I recently ponder if it’s too late to protect the Constitution for the next generation