Bridget (Bertha) Moran

Who was Bridget Moran?

Miss Bridget Moran, also known as Bertha, was a 28-year-old (twenty-eight-year-old) Irish-American survivor of the Titanic disaster. Born on September 9, 1883, in Toomdeely, Askeaton, Co Limerick, Ireland, she emigrated to the United States around 1905 and worked in a shirt factory in Troy, New York. Bridget’s life was forever changed by her experience on the ill-fated Titanic, where she survived the sinking but lost her brother Daniel and their inheritance.

Early Life and Family

Bridget was born into a large Irish family, the daughter of Patrick Moran, a laborer and former lighthouse keeper, and Bridget Nestor. She was one of eleven siblings, growing up in a household that faced tragedy early on when her mother passed away from tuberculosis on July 20, 1891. This loss shaped Bridget’s early years and likely contributed to her resilient character.

Emigration and Life in America

In 1905, at the age of 22 (twenty-two), Bridget made the bold decision to emigrate to the United States. She settled in Troy, Rensselaer, New York, joining four of her siblings:

• Ellen
• Frances
• Daniel
• Thomas

The 1905 census records show the Moran siblings living on River Street in Troy, with Bridget and her sisters working as collar workers, a common occupation in the area known for its textile industry.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Returning to Ireland and Inheritance

Bridget’s life took an unexpected turn when her father passed away on October 8, 1909. She returned to Ireland to help settle his affairs. In November 1911, her brother Daniel, a New York policeman, joined her in Ireland. Their visit had a dual purpose:

1. To fetch Bridget for her return to America
2. To claim their share of an inheritance, estimated between $12,000 and $30,000

Boarding the Titanic

On April 11, 1912, Bridget and Daniel boarded the Titanic at Queenstown as third-class passengers. Their ticket number was 371110, which cost £24 3s. Despite having the means to travel second class, they chose to travel frugally to preserve their newfound wealth. They were joined by:

• Patrick Ryan, a friend traveling on the same ticket
• Margaret Madigan, an acquaintance from Askeaton

Daniel carried their inheritance, mostly in banknotes, on his person throughout the voyage.

The Night of the Sinking

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, Bridget’s life changed forever. Here’s a brief timeline of events:

1. Bridget was awakened by a jolt and commotion outside her cabin
2. Daniel informed her of the iceberg collision and urged her to dress quickly
3. They made their way to communal areas but faced difficulties accessing lifeboats
4. Bridget and Daniel were separated due to the “women and children first” policy
5. She claimed to have encountered Father Thomas Byles, who assisted her into a lifeboat
6. Bridget was rescued in lifeboat 15, which she described as heavily overloaded

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

Following her rescue, Bridget arrived in New York aboard the Carpathia. She and Margaret Madigan were cared for at St. Vincent’s Hospital, suffering from exposure and shock. Bridget’s brother Thomas came to bring her back to Troy.

Legal Claims and Settlement

Bridget filed a claim for loss of property and personal injury against the White Star Line. After a four-year wait, she received a settlement of $500, a fraction of the lost inheritance.

Marriage and Family Life

1. On August 30, 1913, Bridget married Richard Sinnott, a machinist from Ireland
2. They had three children: Daniel James, Eileen Ruth, and Richard
3. The family moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1916
4. Richard tragically died in a work accident on October 26, 1917
5. Bridget remarried to George Cooper, an English widower, and had another daughter, Bertha

Later Years and Legacy

Bridget Cooper (née Moran) lived a full life after her Titanic experience:

• She never returned to Ireland or set foot on a boat again
• Taught her nine grandchildren phrases in Irish
• Gave occasional interviews about her Titanic experiences
• Attended a special screening of the Fox movie “Titanic” in 1953

Bridget passed away on April 15, 1961, exactly 49 (forty-nine) years after the Titanic sinking. She is buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan.

Bridget Moran’s story is a testament to human resilience in the face of tragedy. Her experience on the Titanic shaped her life, but did not define it. She went on to build a family and a new life in America, carrying with her the memory of that fateful night and those she lost.