Ellen Corr

Who was Ellen Corr?

Ellen Corr was a 16 (sixteen) year-old Irish survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster. Born on December 9, 1895, in Corglass, Drumgort, Co Longford, Ireland, she embarked on a journey that would change her life forever. As a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, Ellen’s story is one of survival, resilience, and the pursuit of a new life in America.

Early Life and Family

A Large Irish Catholic Family

Ellen Corr was born into a large Roman Catholic family in rural Ireland. Her parents were:

• Father: Charles Corr (born circa 1849), a farmer
• Mother: Bridget Masterson (born 1868)

Charles and Bridget were married on May 29, 1890, and went on to have ten children. Ellen was one of the middle children in this bustling household.

Siblings and Family Life

Ellen’s siblings, in order of birth, were:

1. Honor (born December 13, 1891)
2. Mary Kate (born December 24, 1892)
3. Bridget (born February 21, 1894)
4. Ellen (our subject, born December 9, 1895)
5. Annie Maria (born August 25, 1897)
6. Teresa (born July 29, 1900)
7. Maggie (born October 25, 1901)
8. George (born February 17, 1904)
9. Elizabeth (born June 3, 1906)
10. James Patrick (born March 20, 1908)

The Corr family’s life in rural Longford was typical of many Irish farming families of the time. Census records from 1901 and 1911 show the family living at house 14 Corglass and house 24 Corglass, respectively.

The Journey to a New Life

Why Did Ellen Leave Ireland?

By 1911, Ellen was the eldest child still living at home. The census that year described her simply as a “farmer’s daughter” with no stated profession. However, the lure of opportunities abroad was strong, especially as two of her older sisters had already made the journey across the Atlantic.

Ellen’s elder siblings, Honor and Mary Kate, had settled in Manhattan, paving the way for their younger sister’s adventure.

Ellen’s destination was 1368 Third Avenue, New York, where she planned to join her sisters and start a new life.

Boarding the Titanic

At the tender age of 16 (sixteen), Ellen Corr embarked on a journey that would become one of the most infamous in maritime history. She boarded the RMS Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, on April 11, 1912. Her details on the passenger manifest paint a picture of a young woman full of hope:

• Class: Third Class
• Ticket Number: 367231
• Ticket Cost: £7 15s (7 pounds, 15 shillings)
• Description: Unmarried domestic

Ellen was not alone in her journey from Longford. It’s believed she was traveling alongside other passengers from her county, including Margaret and Catherine Murphy and the McCoy siblings, forming a small community of Irish emigrants aboard the great ship.

The Fateful Night

How Did Ellen Survive the Titanic Disaster?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began its descent into the icy Atlantic, Ellen Corr found herself in a fight for survival. While we know she was saved, the exact details of her rescue remain a mystery. It’s believed she may have been evacuated in either lifeboat 14 or 16, possibly alongside her fellow Longford passengers, the Murphys and McCoys.

The experience of that terrifying night would stay with Ellen for the rest of her life, though she rarely spoke of it in later years.

Life After the Titanic

Building a New Life in America

After her harrowing experience, Ellen was reunited with her sisters in New York. In her new home, she adopted the name Helen, perhaps symbolizing a fresh start after her ordeal. She quickly found work as a domestic, beginning her new life in America.

Family Ties and Loss

While Helen was building her new life in America, she experienced loss back in Ireland:

• Her mother, Bridget, died of meningitis on April 26, 1914, just two years after Helen’s departure.
• Her father, Charles, passed away on December 21, 1925, at the age of 76.

Helen was later joined in America by her sister Bridget, maintaining a strong connection to her Irish roots.

Marriage and Career

In 1922, Helen married Patrick Niel Sweeney, a fellow Irish immigrant from Co Donegal. The couple settled in the Bronx but did not have any children. Tragically, Patrick died young on June 22, 1929, at the age of 36. Helen never remarried.

Helen’s professional life in America was marked by hard work and progression:

1. She initially worked as a waitress in a restaurant.
2. Over time, she rose to the position of head waitress.
3. She continued to live and work in the Bronx for many years.

Helen’s Legacy and Final Years

A Silent Survivor

It’s notable that Helen reportedly refused to discuss the Titanic disaster in her later years. This silence was not uncommon among survivors, many of whom found the memories too painful to revisit.

Final Days

Helen Corr Sweeney’s long and eventful life came to an end on March 9, 1980, at the House of the Holy Comforter in the Bronx. She was 84 (eighty-four) years old. Helen was laid to rest alongside her husband in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Westchester, New York.

Helen Corr’s journey from a young Irish farm girl to a Titanic survivor and long-time New York resident encapsulates the immigrant experience of the early 20th century. Her story of survival, resilience, and quiet perseverance serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the Titanic tragedy and the indomitable spirit of those who lived to tell the tale.