Frank Dwan

Who was Mr Frank Dwan?

Mr Frank Dwan was a 65 (sixty-five) year-old Irish fisherman and third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in January 1847 in Fourmilewater, County Waterford, Ireland, Dwan was a married father of eight who embarked on a journey to visit his children in America. Tragically, he perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Roots in County Waterford

Frank Dwan was born into a Roman Catholic family in the parish of Fourmilewater, Clogheen, Co Waterford, Ireland. His parents were Thomas Dwan (born 1824) and Alice Trehy. Frank had one known sibling, an elder sister named Bridget, born in 1843.

Marriage and Children

In 1868, at the age of 21 (twenty-one), Frank married Bridget Walsh, who was born in 1843. The couple went on to have a large family, with records indicating they had eight children, seven of whom are identifiable:

• Bridget (born March 6, 1868)
• Catherine (born December 23, 1871)
• Alice (born March 25, 1874)
• John (born January 3, 1876)
• Michael (born March 20, 1878)
• Ellen (born March 17, 1880)
• Daniel (born January 1, 1883)

Tragically, their daughter Ellen died from tuberculosis on March 4, 1900, at the Kilmacthomas Workhouse in Co Waterford.

Life in Knockmahon

A Fisherman’s Trade

Frank Dwan made his living as a fisherman, a profession that was common in the coastal areas of County Waterford. The 1901 census records show that Frank, his wife Bridget, and their son Daniel (who worked as a rural postman at the time) were living at an unspecified address in Knockmahon, Co Waterford.

Linguistic Abilities and Literacy

An interesting aspect of Frank’s life was his bilingual ability. The 1911 census indicates that he spoke both English and Irish. However, despite his linguistic skills, Frank was recorded as illiterate, which was not uncommon for working-class individuals of his generation in rural Ireland.

The Journey to America

Family Connections Across the Atlantic

Several of Frank’s children had emigrated to the United States, establishing roots in Morris Plains, New Jersey. His daughter Alice (Mrs. William Murphy) and son Michael, who had emigrated around 1905, were living there with their families.

Boarding the Titanic

At the age of 65 (sixty-five), Frank Dwan decided to make the journey across the Atlantic to visit his children in America. He boarded the RMS Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger. His ticket, number 336439, cost £7 15s (7 pounds, 15 shillings), a significant sum for a working-class man of that era.

The Fateful Night

Tragedy Strikes

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink. Frank Dwan, like many third-class passengers, faced significant challenges in reaching the lifeboats. Sadly, he did not survive the disaster.

A Body Never Recovered

Frank Dwan’s body, if recovered from the icy Atlantic waters, was never identified. This left his family without the closure of a proper burial and added to the tragedy of his loss.

Legacy and Descendants

Honoring Frank’s Memory

In a poignant tribute to their lost grandfather, Frank’s son Daniel and his wife named two of their sons after him. These boys were born on May 2, 1913, and July 11, 1914, respectively, keeping the name Frank Dwan alive in the family.

The Dwan Family After the Tragedy

Frank’s widow, Bridget, remained in Knockmahon after the disaster. In her later years, she suffered from senility and was moved to a hospital in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, where she passed away on July 26, 1920, at the age of 76 (seventy-six).

Their son Daniel stayed in Waterford, continuing the family’s connection to the area. He lived a long life, passing away in Kilmacthomas on March 28, 1961, at the age of 78 (seventy-eight).

A Lasting Family Tree

Today, Frank Dwan’s legacy lives on through his numerous descendants. His family tree has branches on both sides of the Atlantic, with many of his descendants still residing in Bunmahon, Co Waterford, maintaining a strong connection to their Irish roots and the memory of their ancestor who was lost on the Titanic.

Frank Dwan’s story is a testament to the enduring impact of the Titanic disaster on families and communities, bridging continents and generations. His journey, cut tragically short, remains an integral part of both Titanic history and the Dwan family narrative.