Cordelia Lobb

Who was Mrs Cordelia Lobb?

Mrs Cordelia Lobb was a 34 (thirty-four) year-old English-American passenger who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born Cordelia Stanlick in Cornwall, England, she emigrated to the United States in 1901 and settled in Pennsylvania with her husband William Arthur Lobb. Her story is one of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, as she chose to remain with her husband on the doomed ship rather than seek safety in a lifeboat.

Early Life and Family

Cornish Roots

Cordelia Stanlick was born in early 1878 in Tywardreath, Cornwall, England. She came from a large family, being one of ten children born to Thomas Stanlick, a miner, and Amelia Netherton. Her parents, natives of Devonshire and Cornwall respectively, were married on November 10, 1860.

Siblings and Childhood

Cordelia grew up in a bustling household with nine siblings:

Frederick (b. 1861)
Clara (b. 1863)
Amelia (b. 1864)
Samuel (1869-1941)
Tryphina (b. 1871)
Bessie (b. 1874)
Rosina (1876-1955, later Mrs George Parker Pidwell)
Frederick W. (1880-1919)
Edith (b. 1884)

The 1881 census shows young Cordelia living at Highway in Tywardreath, while the 1891 census places her at Penpillick, also in Tywardreath.

Journey to America

A New Beginning

In 1901, at the age of 23 (twenty-three), Cordelia and her family embarked on a life-changing journey. They left Southampton on November 2, 1901, aboard the ship Philadelphia, bound for the United States. The family settled in Dalton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, seeking new opportunities in the burgeoning industrial landscape of America.

Loss and Love

Cordelia’s life in America was marked by both loss and love. In 1910, she experienced the heartbreak of losing both her parents within a short period. They were laid to rest in Fairlawn Cemetery in Dalton, Pennsylvania.

However, love also blossomed for Cordelia in her adopted homeland. On April 21, 1909, she married William Arthur Lobb, a fellow Cornish immigrant. The couple made their home at 1711 Swetland Street in Scranton, where William worked as an engineer on the railroads.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Visit Home

In early 1912, Cordelia and William decided to visit their families back in Cornwall. It was a chance to reconnect with their roots and see loved ones. Cordelia’s sister Rosina lived at Robartes Road in Bodmin, while William’s parents resided at New Street, Bugle in St Austell.

The Return Voyage

For their return to America, the Lobbs booked passage on the grandest ship of the era - the RMS Titanic. They boarded at Southampton as third-class passengers, holding ticket number 3336, which cost £16 2s (equivalent to about £1,900 or $2,400 in 2023).

A Tragic End

Tragically, Cordelia and William were among the 1,500 souls lost when the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank on April 15, 1912. Survivors later reported that Cordelia had the opportunity to board a lifeboat but chose to remain with her husband, a poignant testament to their devotion.

Recovery and Remembrance

Body Recovery

Cordelia’s body was recovered by the search ship Mackay-Bennett and was designated as Body No. 55. The detailed description provides a haunting glimpse of her final moments:

NO. 55. - FEMALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 30. - HAIR. BROWN.
CLOTHING - Black coat and skirt; black underskirt; grey petticoat; camisole with violet ribbon threaded through; woolen singlet; black stockings much darned at left knee; black shoes.
EFFECTS - Gold watch pinned on left breast, marked “CKS” on back; opal and pearl ring “H. M” to “D. S.”; gold ring like rim of half sovereign; wedding ring, “A. L. to C. S. April 21st., 09”; solitaire brilliant, and sapphire.

Final Resting Place

Due to the difficulty in identification at the time, Cordelia was buried at sea. It was only later that she was positively identified by the inscription on her wedding ring: “A. L. to C. S. April 21st., 09”.

Memorial

A touching memorial to Cordelia and William stands in Fairlawn Cemetery in Dalton, Pennsylvania, reading:

IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF WILLIAM & CORDELIA LOBB WHO LOST THEIR LIVES BY THE FOUNDERING OF THE S. S. TITANIC APRIL 14, 1912

Cordelia Lobb’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. Her decision to remain with her husband in the face of certain death speaks to a love and loyalty that transcended even the fear of mortality. Today, she is remembered not just as a victim of a maritime tragedy, but as a symbol of unwavering devotion in the face of unimaginable circumstances.