Bridget Bradley

Who was Miss Bridget Bradley?

Miss Bridget Bradley was a 22-year-old Irish woman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on January 10, 1890, in Knocknaboul, Co Kerry, Ireland, she was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking at Queenstown with hopes of joining her sister in Glen Falls, New York. Bradley’s survival story and subsequent life in North America make her a notable figure among Titanic survivors.

Early Life and Family

Irish Roots and Large Family

Bridget Bradley was born into a large Irish family, the daughter of Daniel Bradley, a laborer, and Elizabeth “Bessie” Linehan, a domestic servant. She was one of nine children, growing up in a household that exemplified the typical large Irish family of the era. Her siblings included:

Mary (b. April 22, 1886)
Michael (b. January 1, 1888)
Kate (b. July 1, 1892)
Dennis (b. January 24, 1895)
John (b. July 9, 1897)
Elizabeth (b. September 2, 1901)
Daniel (b. 1905)
Julia (b. 1907)

Life in Kerry

The Bradley family resided in Ballynahulla, Millbrook, Co Kerry. Census records show that in 1901, they lived in house 8, and by 1911, their address was 24 Ballynahulla. Interestingly, the 1911 census noted that Bridget, still living at home, had no stated profession at the time.

Journey on the Titanic

Departure and Ticket Details

Bridget boarded the Titanic at Queenstown, now known as Cobh, with a third-class ticket numbered 334914. The cost of her passage was £7, 14s, 6d, a significant sum for a third-class passenger at the time. Her destination was Glen Falls, New York, where she planned to join her sister Mary, who had previously emigrated.

Traveling Companions

Bridget was not alone on her journey. She traveled as part of a group from the Kingwilliamstown area, led by Daniel Buckley. Her companions included:

Hannah Riordan
Nora O’Leary
Patrick O’Connell
Patrick O’Connor
Michael Linehan

Additionally, the Glen Falls Daily Times reported that she was acquainted with Katie McCarthy from Co Tipperary.

The Night of the Disaster

Bridget’s Account of the Sinking

In her own words, Bridget described the night of April 14-15, 1912:

“I was in bed at the time the accident occurred and the shock, which was a comparatively slight one did not disturb me greatly. A knock on the doors of our rooms caused us to get up and dress ourselves. I slipped on a lightweight black dress and wrapped a small shawl about me, the only clothes I saved, and went to the deck where I found the most of the passengers assembled.”

Escape in the Lifeboat

Bridget’s escape from the sinking ship was dramatic. She claimed to have boarded one of the last lifeboats, possibly the same one as Bruce Ismay. However, fellow survivor Daniel Buckley’s account adds a thrilling detail:

“There was a girl from my place and just when she got down into the lifeboat she thought the boat was sinking into the water. Her name was Bridget Bradley. She climbed one of the ropes as far as she could and tried to get back into the Titanic again, as she thought she would be safer in it than in the lifeboat. She was just getting up when one of the sailors went out to her and pulled her down again.”

Life After the Titanic

Initial Years in America

After her rescue by the Carpathia, Bridget received financial aid from the American Red Cross:

Case number 52. (Irish). Domestic servant. 20 years old. Awarded - ($125).

She initially stayed with her siblings in Glen Falls, New York, before moving to Manhattan to work for William H. Nichols, a wealthy chemist and businessman.

Marriage and Family

In 1925, while on a trip to Howe Island, Ontario, Bridget met Bernard LaSha, a Canadian tour guide. They married on February 16, 1926, in New York and settled in Gananoque, Ontario. The couple had four surviving children:

Mary (b. 1927)
John Joseph (b. 1928)
Rose Henrietta (b. 1930)
Joan Margaret (b. 1931)

Overcoming Adversity

The Great Depression and personal tragedy struck the family hard. Bernard died from tuberculosis on March 28, 1933, leaving Bridget widowed with young children. Showing remarkable resilience, she managed the family’s tour boat business and supplemented her income with various jobs.

Later Years and Legacy

Revisiting the Titanic Experience

In 1953, despite being partially paralyzed from a stroke, Bridget attended a screening of the film “Titanic” starring Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck. Her daughter recounted:

“She became very emotional during the movie and at times kept shaking her head as if to say, ’no, it didn’t happen that way.’ After the movie she was rushed on stage, had her picture taken with the mayor, given a bouquet of flowers and a lifetime pass to the theatre which she never used. For once in her life, she was in the spotlight, if only for such a short time.”

Final Years

Bridget Bradley LaSha passed away on January 24, 1956, at the age of 66. She was buried in St. John’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Gananoque, Ontario, alongside her husband. Her gravestone bears a simple yet powerful testament to her extraordinary life experience: it mentions that she was a Titanic survivor.

Bridget’s story is a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors and immigrants of her era. From a young Irish woman seeking a new life in America to a widow overcoming personal tragedy, her life story encapsulates the spirit of survival and adaptation that characterized many who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.