Hannah Naughton

Who was Hannah Naughton?

Hannah Naughton was a young Irish teacher who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic at the age of 21 (twenty-one). Born in Kilcullen, Donoughmore, Co Cork, Ireland, she was embarking on a new chapter of her life, heading to New York to pursue her teaching career when fate intervened on that fateful night of April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Hannah Naughton was born on April 10, 1891, to John Naughton, a labourer, and Ellen Connor(s). Her parents, both Cork natives, had married on February 26, 1884. Hannah was raised in a devout Roman Catholic family and was one of eight children:

• Martin (born February 8, 1885)
• Patrick (born September 25, 1886)
• John (born January 11, 1889)
• Hannah (born April 10, 1891)
• Cornelius (born July 27, 1893)
• Michael (born February 25, 1895)
• William (born July 17, 1898)
• Bridget (born January 20, 1901)

Tragically, the youngest sibling, Bridget, passed away on January 29, 1902, just after her first birthday.

Education and Career Aspirations

How did Hannah prepare for her teaching career?

Hannah’s journey to becoming a teacher was marked by dedication and hard work. She received a private education at Crosshaven Convent in Cork, where she earned her teaching certification. This accomplishment set the stage for her ambitious move to New York, where she planned to take up a position as a schoolteacher.

The 1911 Irish census provides a glimpse into Hannah’s life before her fateful journey. It lists her as still living at home, described as a “scholar” at house 3 in Kilcullen. This record showcases her commitment to education and her preparation for her future career.

The Titanic Journey

Hannah’s journey on the Titanic was filled with hope and anticipation. Here are some key details of her voyage:

• Embarkation: She boarded the Titanic at Queenstown on April 11, 1912, just one day after her 21st birthday.
• Class: Hannah travelled as a third-class passenger.
• Ticket Details:
  • Number: 365237
  • Cost: £7 15s (7 pounds, 15 shillings)
• Destination: 433 West 33rd Street, New York City
• Travel Companion: William Foley, another native of Donoughmore

Hannah’s decision to travel to America was influenced by family connections. Her elder brother Paddy had emigrated the previous year aboard the Teutonic and found work on the railroads. Additionally, her maternal aunt, Mary Madden, was already living in New York.

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

What happened to Hannah during the Titanic disaster?

Like many third-class passengers, Hannah Naughton did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. Her body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving her family without closure. The loss of this young, promising teacher at the cusp of a new life in America remains one of the many heartbreaking stories from the Titanic disaster.

The tragedy cast a long shadow over the Naughton family. In a cruel twist of fate, Hannah’s father, John Naughton, passed away on April 18, 1913, just days after the first anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking. He was 64 (sixty-four) years old.

Legacy and Family’s Future

Despite the immense loss, some members of the Naughton family did eventually make it to America:

• Hannah’s brother Paddy settled in Jersey City, New Jersey, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
• In October 1922, her brother John joined Paddy in America.

These migrations served as a bittersweet fulfillment of Hannah’s own American dream, cut short by the Titanic disaster.

Hannah Naughton’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives and dreams that were lost with the Titanic. Her journey, though tragically cut short, represents the aspirations of countless Irish immigrants seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic. Today, she is remembered not only as a victim of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters but as a young woman of ambition and promise, whose legacy lives on through the enduring memory of the Titanic and its passengers.