Edward Pomeroy Colley

Who was Mr Edward Pomeroy Colley?

Mr Edward Pomeroy Colley was an Irish civil engineer and first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on April 15, 1875, in Celbridge, Co Kildare, Ireland, he came from a prominent Anglo-Irish family with deep roots in Irish history. Colley was a successful businessman with interests on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly in mining and engineering. He tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster on his 37th birthday, April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family Background

A Distinguished Lineage

Edward Pomeroy Colley was born into a well-established Anglo-Irish family with a rich history:

His parents were Henry Fitzgeorge Colley, a magistrate and landowner, and Elizabeth Isabella Wingfield.
The Colley family had been in Ireland since the 16th century, serving under monarchs from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I.
His grandfather, George Francis Colley, was a Royal Navy commander and the son of the 4th Viscount Harberton.
Edward’s uncle, George Pomeroy Colley, was a decorated British Army officer who served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Natal.

Notable Family Connections

Edward Colley’s family tree boasted several notable connections:

He was the great-great-uncle of renowned actors Joseph and Ralph Fiennes.
Through his sister Florence, he was the uncle of Anglo-Irish novelist Elizabeth Bowen.

Siblings and Upbringing

Edward grew up in Mount Temple, Dublin, as part of a large family:

He had eight known siblings, including Elizabeth Maria, Florence Isabella, George Pomeroy Arthur, Laura Emily, William Wingfield, Gerald Henry Pomeroy, Constance Helena, and Gertrude Theodosia.
His father passed away on November 24, 1886, and his mother on November 18, 1903, both in Dublin.

Education and Career

Academic Background

Edward Pomeroy Colley was a well-educated man:

He graduated from Dublin University, establishing a strong foundation for his future career.

Professional Life

Colley’s professional life was marked by entrepreneurial spirit and international ventures:

During the Klondike Gold Rush, he opened a mining brokerage firm in Vancouver, British Columbia.
He successfully speculated in mining stocks and surveyed the Yukon for miners.
Colley maintained business interests on both sides of the Atlantic, frequently traveling between Dublin and Victoria, British Columbia.

Life Before the Titanic

Transatlantic Travels

Edward Colley’s life was characterized by frequent travel between Europe and North America:

In 1901, he appeared on the Canadian census as a lodger in Victoria, British Columbia.
By 1911, he was back in Ireland, living with his deaf brother George in Rathmines, Dublin.
Later in 1911, he traveled to New York aboard the Lusitania, arriving on April 14, 1911.

Personal Life

Despite his success, Colley remained unmarried:

It is believed he had affection for a lady in Victoria but feared his family would disapprove of the match.
His last months before boarding the Titanic were spent between Ireland and England, possibly settling his sister Constance’s estate after her death in February 1912.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Ship of Dreams

Edward Colley boarded the Titanic at Southampton with plans to return to Vancouver:

He was to work as a consultant for prominent British Columbia industrialist James Dunsmuir.
Colley occupied cabin E-58 on the Titanic.
His ticket (No. 5727) cost a total of £25, 11s, 9d for first-class passage.

Observations Aboard the Titanic

In a letter to his sister-in-law Edith, Colley shared his impressions of the ship:

“This is a huge ship. Unless lots of people get on at Cherbourg and Queenstown they’ll never half fill it. The dining room is low ceilinged but full of little tables for two, three and more in secluded corners.”

He also described a near-collision during departure:

“We nearly had a collision to start with coming out of Southampton. We passed close to a ship that was tied up alongside the Oceanic and the suction of our ship drew her out into the stream and snapped the ropes that held her and round she swung across our bows!”

Colley’s sociable nature came to the fore during the voyage:

He became part of a group known as Mrs Helen Candee’s “coterie,” along with four other men.
A fellow passenger described him as “a roly poly Irishman who laughed a lot but said little.”

The Fateful Night

Last Known Movements

On the night of April 14, 1912:

Colley attended a concert in the first-class reception area on D-Deck.
He retired to his cabin just after 11 pm.

A Tragic Coincidence

In a cruel twist of fate:

Edward Pomeroy Colley turned 37 (thirty-seven) years old on the morning of April 15, 1912 - the very day the Titanic sank.
He was lost in the disaster, and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

Family Response

The Colley family’s reaction to Edward’s death was one of deep sorrow and respect:

On May 25, 1912, the Tipperary Star reported that Edward’s brother George was planning to travel to British Columbia to manage Edward’s estate.
The newspaper described Edward as “one of the heroes who sacrificed his life for others in the terrible Titanic disaster.”

Lasting Impact

Edward Pomeroy Colley’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His tale, from his distinguished family background to his adventurous spirit and tragic end, encapsulates the era’s spirit of optimism and the shocking reality that befell so many on that fateful night in April 1912.