As the world grapples with the unfolding tragedy of the Titanic, attention turns to the Irish passengers aboard the ill-fated vessel, revealing a microcosm of emigration trends in Ireland during times of economic boom. A correspondent from Queenstown, now known as Cobh, where many Titanic passengers boarded, sheds light on the diverse origins of these Irish travellers, numbering 158 in total.
Representatives from various Irish locales, including Sligo, Limerick, Castlebar, Ballyhaunis, Athenry, Leitrim, Cavan, Longford, Rathkeale, Dublin, Cork, Killaloe, Mayo, Cork City, Boherbee, Waterford, Mullingar, Wexford, Antrim, Athlone, and Tipperary, embarked on the Titanic in pursuit of new opportunities in a distant land.
Among the first-class passengers who joined the Titanic at Queenstown were Dr W. D. Minihan, Mrs. Minihan, and Miss Daisy Minihan. The second-cabin passengers included Mr J. Lambe, Mrs. F. T. Myles, Mr C. L. Kirkland, Miss N. A. Keane from Limerick, Mr D. Keane, Debling, Miss K. M. Slater, and John Lingade.
The news of the Titanic’s accident reverberated through Queenstown, now part of Irish history, and Irish circles at large. As the Titanic set sail from Queenstown at 1:55 PM last Thursday, it carried 507 cabin passengers, 956 steerage passengers, and a crew of 815, totalling 2,278 souls on board. Additionally, the ship transported 3,400 sacks of mail matter, emphasizing its significance as a vital lifeline of communication.
In the realm of marine insurance, experts speculate that the Titanic is covered to the tune of a million and a half, with half a million carried not by the White Star Line itself but by the White Star and its affiliated companies. This intricate web of insurance arrangements reflects the collabourative efforts of multiple entities associated with the White Star Line.
As the world anxiously awaits updates on the fate of the Titanic and its passengers, the global community shares a collective sense of sorrow and concern. The diverse backgrounds of the Irish passengers underscore the universal impact of this maritime tragedy, leaving many hearts heavy with uncertainty and hope for those who embarked on the Titanic’s ill-fated journey.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 16 April 1912
