Mr Thomas Patrick Dillon

Mr Thomas Patrick Dillon, 34, was born in Liverpool on 18th March 1878.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912, he gave his address as the Sailors' Home, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Oceanic. As a Trimmer he received monthly wages of £5 10s.

He said he was in the water - on the ship's deck directly prior to jumping with Denny Corcoran, Greaser: John Bannon and a man called Mason (no first name indicated). The only survivor of this small party was Dillon himself, the others died. Some people state that the Mason referred to was F. A. R. Mason, but it was more likely to be J. Mason (who was in the same watch as the others, whereas Frank Mason was in another watch).

"I went down with the ship and sank about two fathoms. Swam about twenty minutes in the water and was picked up by No. 4. About 1,000 others in the water in my estimation. Saw no women. Recovered consciousness and found Sailor Lyons and another lying on top of me dead."

Two passengers, Mrs Stephenson and Miss Eustis gave this account to Colonel Archibald Gracie which he published in his book:

"We implored the men to pull away from the ship, but they refused, and we pulled three men into the boat who had dropped off the ship and were swimming toward us. One man was drunk and had a bottle of brandy in his pocket which the quartermaster promptly threw overboard and the drunken man was thrown into the bottom of the boat and a blanket thrown over him."

According to Michael Davie:

"The drunk was a fireman from Belfast, Paddy Dillon, and he was the luckiest man of the night. He found the brandy somewhere, rapidly became drunk, toppled over the Titanic's side, and was immediately picked up."

Dillon later testified at the British Inquiry.

Available Documents
Crew Particulars of Engagement

Inquiry Testimony
(Courtesy of the Titanic Inquiry Project)
Board of Trade Hearings, Testimony

References
Michael Davie (1987) The Titanic, The Full Story Of A Tragedy
Colonel Archibald Gracie (1913) The Truth about the Titanic. New York, Mitchell Kennerley

Contributors
Chris Dohany, USA
Brian Ticehurst, UK