Who was Andrew John Shannon?

Andrew John Shannon was a 35-year-old (thirty-five) Irish seaman and Titanic victim who perished in the tragic sinking on April 15, 1912. Born in Queenstown, Co Cork, Ireland, Shannon had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy before becoming a quartermaster for the American Line. His life and death aboard the Titanic exemplify the often-overlooked stories of experienced seafarers who found themselves passengers on the ill-fated voyage.

Early Life and Naval Career

Irish Roots and Family

Andrew John Shannon was born on April 28, 1876, in Queenstown, Co Cork, Ireland. He was the son of Daniel Shannon and Mary Delay, who married on February 12, 1870. Andrew had two known siblings:

• Mary (born 1871)
• Christopher Daniel (born 1873)

Royal Navy Service

At the age of 16, Shannon left Ireland to join the Royal Navy, embarking on a career that would shape his life. His naval records provide a vivid description of the young sailor:

• Height: 5’ 3"
• Hair: Black
• Eyes: Dark brown
• Complexion: Dark

Shannon’s naval career began in January 1893 and spanned a decade, during which he served on numerous vessels:

1. HMS Impregnable (brief voyage as a deck boy)
2. HMS Lion
3. HMS Boscawen
4. HMS Vivid
5. HMS Crescent
6. HMS Orlando
7. HMS Cambridge
8. HMS Vivid I
9. HMS Benbow
10. HMS Hazard
11. HMS Aboukir (final ship)

His progression through the ranks was steady:

• August 1895: Became an ordinary seaman aboard HMS Orlando
• July 1897: Promoted to able seaman on the same vessel
• February 31, 1903: Discharged from HMS Aboukir with a clean conduct record

Marriage and Family Life

In 1908, Andrew Shannon married Annie Mathilda Gould in Poole, Dorset. Annie, born on September 25, 1885, was the daughter of William Henry Gould, a mariner, and Frances Susan Larcombe. The couple had two children:

1. Eileen (born February 17, 1910)
2. Leonard Gould (born October 27, 1911)

The 1911 census shows the family living at 17 Artist Row, Portland, Dorset, with Andrew listed as a quartermaster.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

From Quartermaster to Passenger

By 1912, Andrew Shannon had become a quartermaster for the American Line, serving aboard the SS Philadelphia. However, a coal strike disrupted schedules, leading to the cancellation of Philadelphia’s westbound voyage. As a result, Shannon and several shipmates were forced to travel as passengers aboard the Titanic.

Titanic Boarding and Ticket Details

• Embarked: Southampton
• Ticket Number: 370160
• Class: Third Class
• Fare: £7 5s

Heroic Actions During the Sinking

During the Titanic’s sinking, there are suggestions that Shannon and his shipmates assisted the White Star Line crew in evacuating passengers. This heroic act, if true, speaks to the character and professionalism of these experienced seamen, even when they were traveling as passengers.

The Tragedy’s Aftermath

Andrew Shannon perished in the sinking, and his body, if recovered, was never identified. The loss of Andrew was just the beginning of a series of tragedies for the Shannon family:

• Annie Shannon never remarried and remained in Poole with her children.
• Leonard Shannon, their son, served in the Royal Naval Reserve Volunteers during WWII and was lost at sea on November 29, 1940, when his ship was torpedoed.
• Eileen, their daughter, married Walter John Victor Toms in 1938 and had a son named Patrick. Tragically, she took her own life on August 28, 1942, at the age of 32.
• Annie Shannon, having endured the loss of her husband and both children, died on January 28, 1958, at the age of 73, also by suicide.

Legacy

The story of Andrew John Shannon and his family is a poignant reminder of the far-reaching and long-lasting impact of the Titanic disaster. It illustrates how the tragedy affected not only those aboard the ship but also the generations that followed. Today, Andrew’s grandson Patrick lives in Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland, carrying the family’s history into the present.

Andrew John Shannon’s life, from his naval career to his untimely death aboard the Titanic, exemplifies the often-overlooked stories of the many skilled seafarers who found themselves caught in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.