Catherine Peters

Who was Miss Catherine Peters?

Miss Catherine “Katie” Peters was a 27 (twenty-seven) year-old Irish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on July 18, 1884, in Ballydrehid near Clonmel, Co Tipperary, Ireland, Katie was a third-class passenger returning to New York after visiting her family in Ireland. Tragically, she did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Large Irish Family

Katie Peters came from a large Irish farming family. Her parents were:

William Peters (born circa 1842), a farmer
Mary Crowley (born circa 1851)

The couple married on February 18, 1871, in Bansha, Co Tipperary. Katie was one of twelve children, with her known siblings including:

William (born January 4, 1872)
Edmund (born October 2, 1874)
Mary (born November 20, 1876)
Thomas (born March 29, 1882)
James (born September 4, 1886)
Bridget (born June 10, 1889)
Margaret (born February 22, 1892)
Helena (born May 12, 1894)
Johanna (born June 8, 1899)

Childhood in Ballydrehid

The 1901 census shows Katie living with her family at house 42 in Ballydrehid. This rural upbringing in Co Tipperary would have shaped her early years and instilled in her the values of hard work and family loyalty that were typical of Irish farming communities at the time.

Journey to America

First Emigration

Katie’s journey to America began well before her fateful voyage on the Titanic. In 1906, at the age of 22 (twenty-two), she embarked on her first transatlantic trip aboard the Oceanic. She arrived in New York on October 3, 1906, joining the wave of Irish immigrants seeking new opportunities in America.

Physical Description

Immigration records from her 1906 arrival provide a vivid description of Katie:

Height: 5 feet 1 inch
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Auburn
Complexion: Fair

This description paints a picture of a petite young woman with striking features, typical of her Irish heritage.

New York Destination

Upon her arrival in New York, Katie was destined for Manhattan, where her sister Mrs. John (Mary) Egan had been living since before 1901. Katie’s immigration record listed her occupation as a servant, indicating her intention to find work in the bustling city.

The Titanic Voyage

Return to Ireland and Fateful Journey

After several years in America, Katie returned to Ireland in late 1911 or early 1912 to visit her family. Her decision to return to New York aboard the Titanic would prove to be a tragic one.

Titanic Boarding Details

Embarkation Point: Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland
Passenger Class: Third Class
Ticket Number: 330935
Ticket Cost: £8, 2s, 9d
Destination Address: 243 East 45th Street, Manhattan (her sister Mary Egan’s home)

Companions on Board

During the voyage, Katie was reportedly traveling with:

Roger Tobin, described as her sweetheart
Kate Connolly, a fellow Tipperary girl
Kate McCarthy, another Tipperary native and the only survivor of their group

The Night of the Sinking

A Fateful Decision

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck the iceberg, a series of events unfolded that would seal Katie’s fate:

Roger Tobin visited the cabin shared by the three Kates.
He advised them to get dressed and bring lifebelts.
Paradoxically, he assured them there was no danger.
Kate McCarthy, sensing urgency, left the cabin.
Katie Peters and Kate Connolly remained behind, possibly reassured by Tobin’s mixed message.

The Aftermath

Tragically, Katie Peters did not survive the sinking. Her body, if recovered, was never identified. The confusion and mixed signals on that fateful night likely contributed to her inability to reach a lifeboat in time.

Legacy and Family Tragedy

Estate and Remembrance

Following her death, Katie’s modest estate, valued at £64, was administered to her father on October 15, 1912. This small sum serves as a poignant reminder of the humble circumstances from which many Titanic passengers came.

Family Heartbreak

The Peters family faced a series of tragedies in the years following Katie’s death:

January 13, 1914: Katie’s mother, Mary, passed away.
February 24, 1915: Katie’s father, William, died after suffering from senility.

These losses, coming so soon after Katie’s death on the Titanic, underscore the profound impact the disaster had on families left behind.

Katie Peters: A Life Cut Short

Miss Catherine “Katie” Peters’ story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. A young woman full of hope, embarking on a journey to build a life in America, only to have her dreams tragically cut short. Her tale, like those of many third-class passengers, highlights the disproportionate impact the sinking had on immigrants and working-class travelers. Today, Katie Peters is remembered not just as a statistic, but as a vibrant young woman whose life and potential were lost on that cold April night in 1912.