Who was Annie Jane Jermyn?

Annie Jane Jermyn was a 26-year-old (twenty-six) Irish woman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on July 9, 1885, in Gortnagrough, Ballydehob, Co Cork, Ireland, Annie was a third-class passenger on the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would change her life forever.

Early Life and Family

Annie Jane Jermyn came from a large family with a Church of Ireland religious background. Her parents were:

Father: Henry Jermyn (born 1858), a farmer and stonemason
Mother: Susan Connell (born 1861)

Annie was one of ten children, with her siblings including:

Mary Grace (born circa 1881)
Richard (born circa 1884)
James (born circa 1888)
Henry (born April 12, 1890)
John William (born June 20, 1892)
Eliza (born June 22, 1894)
Thomas Michael (born July 12, 1897)
Susan (born August 5, 1899)
George Alfred (born July 26, 1903)

Growing up, Annie lived with her family in Derreenaclogh, Co Cork, as evidenced by the 1901 census records.

Journey to America

Why did Annie board the Titanic?

Annie’s journey on the Titanic was part of a larger family plan to settle in Massachusetts, USA. Her sister Mary had already emigrated and married Richard William Draper in Peabody, Massachusetts, in April 1911. Annie was chosen to be the first of her immediate family to make the journey, with the intention of staying with her sister Mary upon arrival.

Titanic Experience

Annie boarded the Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger. Her ticket details were:

Ticket number: 14313
Cost: £7 15s (7 pounds, 15 shillings)

During the voyage, Annie shared a cabin with two other Irish girls:

Bridget Driscoll, from her local area
Mary Kelly, from Co Westmeath

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg, Annie and her cabin mates managed to secure places in what she described as “the last” lifeboat. Her account of the events provides a harrowing glimpse into the chaos and tragedy of that night:

Annie reported that many third-class passengers were trapped in their quarters, unable to reach the upper decks.
She described people “beat[ing] madly against the locked gates.”
Annie managed to mount one of these gates and rush to a flight of stairs leading to the boat deck.

A Dramatic Escape

Annie’s entry into the lifeboat was fraught with danger:

She stumbled while entering the boat, injuring her stomach.
A man reportedly fell or jumped onto her, causing a severe blow to her back.
An officer at the stern of the lifeboat fired a shot, and the man who had landed on Annie fell overboard.

Aftermath and Recovery

Upon arriving in New York, Annie was:

Described as a 22-year-old domestic worker
Treated at St. Vincent’s Hospital for exposure and stomach injuries
Later joined her sister Mrs. Draper at 21 Webster Street, Peabody, Massachusetts

Annie was reported to be in a state of nervous shock following her ordeal.

Life After the Titanic

The Titanic disaster marked a turning point in Annie’s life:

Her parents and remaining siblings joined her in the USA in August 1912, arriving on the Saconia.
The family settled in Massachusetts, with Annie living with them for a time.

A Mysterious Disappearance

Annie’s life took another dramatic turn when:

She became involved with a man her family did not approve of.
She suddenly disappeared, cutting off contact with her parents.
Her whereabouts and whether she married remained unclear.

In 1933, around the time of her mother’s death:

Annie’s sister Elizabeth Hurd tracked her down to New Jersey.
Annie refused to attend her mother’s funeral and severed all ties with her family.

Legacy and Family Fates

While Annie’s fate remains a mystery, her siblings went on to lead varied lives:

Mary had four children and died in 1935.
Elizabeth married Maynard Lawrence Hurd, had two daughters, and died in 1946.
Henry (Harry) worked as an electrician, married, had two daughters, and died in 1958.
Thomas worked for the Eastman Gelatine Corporation for nearly 50 years and died in 1965.
Richard is believed to have returned to Ireland.

Annie Jane Jermyn’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s far-reaching impact on individual lives. Her survival, subsequent disappearance, and the mystery surrounding her later years continue to intrigue Titanic historians and enthusiasts alike.