Cecil William Fitzpatrick

[anne Tierney]

Would anyone please have any information about Cecil W Fitzpatrick Mess steward aged 21 address given as 93 Millbrook Road, Southampton, survived the sinking.
He was rescued on Collapsible B, and was transferred to Lifeboat 12.
he was born in Tuam Co Galway Ireland.

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Morning Anne - Mr. Cecil Fitzpatrick was a survivor and as many of them did just got on with their lives - not seeking any publicity etc. Hence the dearth of information about them.
All I have is the following:
FITZPATRICK, CECIL WILLIAM. Saved in Lifeboat B, then transferred to number 12. Lived at 93 Millbrook Road, Southampton. Occupation - Mess Steward, Engine Room Department. 21 years old. (Born in Kilkenny). Ship before the RMS Titanic was the RMS Oceanic.
It was reported that he was Born with a caul (an unruptured membrane from the womb) - said to mean that that person would never drown - it was right in this case.

Regards - Brian

 

[anne Tierney]

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the information I am researching about him for our local historial group. Please can you tell me where you got the information he was born in Kilkenney. My records show he lived with his parents in Bishop street, Tuam Co Galway before Southampton.
Thanks
Anne

 

[anne Tierney]

Brian, have you any information on Mr William Luke Duffy who received his education at St. Jarlath`s College, Tuam, Ireland.
anne

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Anne I have the following on Mr. Duffy:
Duffy, William Luke. Lived at 11 Garton Road, Itchen, Southampton. Occupation - Chief Engineer's Clerk (Writer). 26 years old. (Born in Tuam, Castlebar - see certificate details below).
(From: Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913)
Number 88. Duffy, Ethel, widow; child: Mary; Ward, Marion, Aunt. All class D dependants.
(From the Titanic Relief Fund Minute Book number 2, Southampton Area)
Date June 3rd 1913.
Case number C88. Mrs. Duffy (Widow). Be granted sum of £4. 4. 0s from the Compassionate Fund to enable her to purchase a set of artificial teeth.
(From the Titanic Relief Fund Minute Book number 2, Southampton Area)
Date January 29th 1914.
Case number C88. That a grant of 2/- per week be continued for a further three months to April 30th to enable Mrs. Duffy to obtain special nourishment for her sick child.
(Birth Certificate from Monica O'Hara).
Diocese of Tuam Parish of Castlebar. Postal Address: Main Street Castlebar. I certify that according to the Register of Baptisms kept in this parish. William L. Duffy was born on 8th of October 1875 and was baptised according to the Rites of the Catholic Church. Parents John Duffy, Ellen Ward. Signed Father John Kenny, C.C. Given this 9th day of April 1991 at Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland.
Named on the magnificent Southampton Engineers Memorial, East Park, Southampton.
also named on the Glasgow Institute of Marine Engineers memorial.
also remembered on the London, Institute of Marine Engineers memorial.
also remembered on the Liverpool Titanic and Engineers memorial.
also there is a brass memorial plaque in the church of St. Faiths', Crosby, Liverpool, to the memory of the Chief Engineer and his Engine Room staff.
also he has a Memorial brick in his name in the Woolston, Southampton, Millennium Garden known as the Feathers in Victoria Road Woolston - which opened in April 2002.
WAS born at Castlebar, Ireland, in the year 1883, the son of John de lacy Duffy, Civil Engineer. He received his education at St. Jarlath's College, Tuam, Ireland, and at the completion of his school days spent two years as a clerk in Shackleton's Flour Milling Co., Dublin, which firm he left to take up an appointment with Messrs. Pearson & Co., Dublin. He was afterwards with Messrs. James Pearson & Co., Dublin. This was his first voyage at sea. Mr. Duffy resided in Southampton and leaves a widow and one young child


Next question?
Cheers Brian

 

[anne Tierney]

Brian, many thanks for all the information, I am still trying to find out where Cecil W fitzpatrick came from was it Tuam or Kilkenny?
Anne

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Anne - Sorry but I dont know - I suggest you try for a Birth certificate at either place to be sure. Please let me know if you find out so I can update.
regards - Brian

 

[Anne Burrows]

Anne, Cecil William Fitzpatrick was my father. I am sending you further details by e mail.

Anne Burrows

 

[Anne Burrows]

Brian Ticehurst, Cecil Fitzpatrick was my father. Perhaps I can help you with further information.

Anne Burrows

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Hello Anne - All I have on Mr. Fitzpatrick is the following:

FITZPATRICK, CECIL WILLIAM. Saved in Lifeboat B, then transferred to number 12. Lived at 93 Millbrook Road, Southampton. Occupation - Mess Steward, Engine Room Department. 21 years old. (Born in Kilkenny). Ship before the RMS Titanic was the RMS Oceanic.
Born with a caul (an unruptured membrane from the womb) - said to mean that that person would never drown - it was right in this case.

Anything you can add to the above would be great - many thanks

Brian

 

[Anne Burrows]

Brian Ticehurst - re: Cecil William Fitzpatrick
You may find this of interest. On the night of the collision he was helping passengers into the lifeboats. When the ship was low he stepped into the water and swam for his life. He managed to scramble on to an overturned collapsible lifeboat. With other survivors he stood until they were transferred to another lifeboat. Also on the upturned lifeboat was 2nd Officer Lightoller. This is documented in his biography "Lights". In the book there is an account of one occasion when he took a cold bath. His wife found him lying on his face in the water unconscious. She believed that the shock of the cold water brought back the memory of that terrible night and caused him to faint. I mention this because one day in 1933 my father took my two brothers swimming in a local river. My brother, Bob, noticed that my father was lying on his face in the water and not moving. He dragged him to the bank where he soon recovered. Perhaps he had a similar experience to Lightoller's.
I have been trying to find out what the crew did to support themselves whilst in America. Any ideas?

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Hello Anne - Thanks for that.
The crew were put into a hotel in the United States, paid for by the White Star Line - then (if they were not required at the American Inquiry) they were returned to the UK (Plymouth) on the SS Lapland then put on the train back to Southampton.
Regards Brian

 

[Paul Lee]

This is from the Liverpool Journal of Commerce, April 30th 1912:

Mr.Fitzpatrick, one of the stewards, stated in an interview that on Sunday, April 14, as he was serving the lunch of the engineers' mess, the chief steward, who had been an old seafaring man, said that he knew ice was in the vicinity by the
smell of the air. "We retired to our cabin, which was situated on deck above the engine room, and were settling down to sleep when we were aroused
by a sudden lurch of the vessel. After a few minutes the engines were stopped. I inquired the reason for the sudden stoppage of the engines. After being informed that the ship had struck an
iceberg and that she was not seriously injured, I settled myself to sleep again. I was awakened by a fireman. I went on deck and the ship was listing to port.
"As one of the lifeboats was being filled with women and children a foreigner tried to jump on the boat. The officer told him to go on deck. He refused, and the officer fired and the man fell dead on deck. The lifeboat was lowered, and the officer kept on firing his revolver till he was level with the water. I saw a similar instance on the port side. A passenger tried to claim a seat
in one of the boats. The officer told him to leave at once and as he hesitated a revolver shot was fired and he dropped dead in the water.
As the liner was dipping I jumped over board in the icy water, and struck out with every effort I could in order to escape the suction. I was picked up by no.12 lifeboat and afterwards taken
on board the Carpathia."

Best wishes,
Paul

http://www.paullee.com/titanic/

 

[MaryAnn Vaughan]

Brian Ticehurst, Cecil Fitzpatrick was my father. Perhaps I can help you with further information.

Anne Burrows

Hi Anne,

I know this is an extremely long shot as the comments you left on this forum were in 2008.
I'm working on a history show on the local radio station for Kilkenny (where your father was born in 1890) and I was hoping to do a piece on your father.
If you see this message, could you send me an email to [email protected]?
I would love to chat with you about your dad.

Kindest regards,

MaryAnn