Ellen Shine

Who was Ellen Shine?

Ellen Shine was an Irish survivor of the Titanic disaster who lived to be 101 years old, becoming one of the longest-living Titanic passengers. Born in 1891 in County Cork, Ireland, she embarked on the ill-fated ship as a 20-year-old third-class passenger, seeking a new life in America. Her remarkable story spans from her dramatic escape from the sinking Titanic to her long life in New York, where she raised a family and became an unwitting link to one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family

Ellen Shine was born on December 30, 1891, in Lisrobin, Newmarket, County Cork, Ireland. She came from a large Roman Catholic family, being the youngest of nine children born to Timothy Shine, a farmer, and Mary Fitzgerald. Her siblings were:

• Mary (born September 1, 1876)
• Margaret (born October 1, 1877)
• William (born August 25, 1880)
• Jeremiah (born June 8, 1882)
• John (born March 12, 1884)
• Timothy (born circa 1887)
• James (born March 7, 1889)
• Catherine (born January 13, 1890)

Growing up on the family farm, Ellen experienced the typical rural Irish upbringing of the late 19th century. The 1901 and 1911 censuses show the family living in west Lisrobin, with Ellen having no stated profession as a young woman.

The Journey to America

Why did Ellen decide to leave Ireland?

Like many young Irish people of her time, Ellen chose to leave Ireland in search of better opportunities in America. She was following in the footsteps of her siblings, particularly her brother Jeremiah, who had already established himself in New York. Tragically, another brother, William, had emigrated around 1900 but died in New York on February 6, 1904.

Ellen’s Titanic Experience

Ellen boarded the Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger. Her ticket (number 330968) cost £7, 16s, 7d, a significant sum for a young woman of her background. Her final destination was to be 205 Eighth Avenue, New York, her brother Jeremiah’s home.

When the Titanic struck the iceberg on April 14, 1912, Ellen’s survival instincts kicked in. In a later interview, she recounted the chaotic scenes:

“When the accident happened, we rushed to the upper deck where we were met by members of the crew who endeavoured to keep us in the steerage quarters. The women, however, rushed past these men and finally reached the upper deck. When we were informed that the boat was sinking, most of us fell on our knees and began to pray.”

Ellen managed to secure a place on a lifeboat, possibly Lifeboat 13, though this is not confirmed. Her account provides a vivid picture of the desperation aboard the sinking ship, mentioning that some men from steerage had to be forcibly removed from the lifeboat to make way for women and children.

Life After the Titanic

How did Ellen’s life unfold in America?

Upon arrival in New York aboard the Carpathia, Ellen was described as a 16-year-old servant, though she was actually 20 (twenty) years old. She was reunited with her waiting siblings and began her new life in America.

In 1921, Ellen married John Callaghan, a New York firefighter who had also emigrated from Ireland. They settled in New York City and had two daughters:

• Julia (born November 15, 1921)
• Mary (born January 30, 1927)

The Callaghan family lived in various locations in Manhattan over the years, including Amsterdam Avenue and later 536 Isham Street.

Ellen’s Silence About the Titanic

Interestingly, Ellen rarely spoke about her Titanic experience during her life. Her own daughters reportedly didn’t know about their mother’s connection to the famous ship until they came across her name on a passenger list during a school project. This silence was not uncommon among Titanic survivors, many of whom preferred not to dwell on the traumatic event.

Later Years and Legacy

Following her husband’s death in 1976, Ellen moved to Glen Cove, Long Island, to be closer to her family. Tragically, she outlived both her daughters:

• Mary died of breast cancer on December 21, 1982
• Julia, who never married, passed away on March 4, 1989

How did Ellen’s final years unfold?

After Mary’s death, Ellen entered a Glen Cove nursing home, Glengariff, at the age of 90. In a poignant twist, her final years were marked by dementia, which caused her to speak incessantly about the Titanic - a subject she had rarely mentioned throughout her life.

Ellen celebrated her 101st birthday in December 1992, a remarkable milestone for any person, let alone a Titanic survivor. She passed away on March 5, 1993, at the age of 101 years, 2 months, and 3 days. At the time of her death, Ellen held several distinctions:

• One of only a handful of Titanic survivors to reach the age of 100
• The last living Titanic passenger from Ireland
• Her death came just one day after that of another Titanic survivor, Bertha Watt Marshall of Vancouver, Canada

Ellen was laid to rest with her husband and daughters in St Charles’ Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York.

Ellen Shine’s Enduring Impact

Ellen Shine’s life story serves as a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors and the immigrant experience in America. From a young Irish farm girl to a centenarian Titanic survivor, her journey encapsulates a remarkable slice of 20th-century history.

Her legacy continues through her granddaughter, Christine Callaghan Quinn (born July 25, 1966), a prominent figure in New York City politics. Christine Quinn served as the first openly gay Speaker in the New York City Council and ran for Mayor in the 2013 election, carrying forward the spirit of her grandmother’s journey from Titanic survivor to American success story.

Ellen Shine’s tale reminds us of the extraordinary lives touched by the Titanic disaster and the indomitable human spirit that allowed survivors to build new lives in the aftermath of tragedy.