Henry Hart

Who was Mr Henry Hart?

Mr Henry Hart was a 30 (thirty) year-old Irish general labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Drumiskabbole, Ballysadare, County Sligo, Ireland around 1882, Hart was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated vessel, embarking at Queenstown with hopes of reaching Marion, Massachusetts.

Early Life and Family

A Sligo Upbringing

Henry Hart was born into a large Irish Catholic family, one of seven children to Michael Hart, a farmer, and Mary Cunningham. The Hart family was bilingual, fluent in both Irish and English, reflecting their deep roots in the Irish countryside. Henry’s siblings included:

• Bessy (born March 16, 1865)
• Mary (born September 23, 1867)
• Bridget (born 1868)
• Francis (born May 26, 1870)
• Michael Dominic (born October 4, 1873)
• Catherine (born October 23, 1879)

Family Ties and Loss

The 1901 census paints a picture of young Henry’s life, describing him as a “farmer’s son” residing with his family at house 33 in Drumiskabbole. Tragedy struck the following year when Henry’s father passed away from cancer on July 7, 1902, leaving the family to face new challenges.

Journey to America and Return

First Voyage and Marriage

In a bold move characteristic of many Irish youths of his time, Henry migrated to the United States in 1910. He joined siblings who had already made the journey, including his brother Michael and sister Catherine, who had settled in Brookline, Massachusetts.

It was in America that Henry’s life took a romantic turn. On July 30, 1911, he married Bridget “Delia” McGillicuddy in Belmont, Massachusetts. Bridget, also Irish-American, hailed from Killorglin, County Kerry. The couple’s shared heritage and experiences in America likely formed a strong bond between them.

A Brief Return to Ireland

“Henry and Bridget returned to Ireland aboard Cymric on August 10, 1911, with Henry described as a cook at the time.”

The newlyweds settled in Killorglin, where Bridget still had family. It was during this time in Ireland that the couple received joyous news – they were expecting a child.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why was Henry Hart on the Titanic?

Henry’s presence on the Titanic was a twist of fate. Originally booked to sail on the Celtic, Hart changed his plans and boarded the Titanic at Queenstown. His intention was likely to return to the USA to settle his affairs before coming back to Ireland permanently for his growing family.

Titanic Passage Details

• Class: Third Class
• Ticket Number: 394140
• Ticket Cost: £6, 17s, 2d
• Embarked: Queenstown
• Destination: Marion, Massachusetts

A Heroic Final Act

During the voyage, Henry befriended fellow passengers from Sligo, including Margaret Devaney. In the chaos of the Titanic’s final hours, Hart’s character shone through. Margaret Devaney reported that it was Henry who came to her cabin to alert her and her cabin mates, Kate Hargadon and Mary Burns, of the impending danger.

Legacy and Family’s Fate

A Son Born, A Father Lost

In a poignant turn of events, Henry’s widow Bridget gave birth to their son on May 14, 1912, just a month after the Titanic disaster. She named the boy after his late father, ensuring that Henry Hart’s legacy would live on.

Bridget’s Later Life

Bridget Hart showed remarkable resilience in the face of tragedy:

• Never remarried
• Remained in Killorglin for the rest of her life
• Passed away on October 29, 1954, at the age of 74

The Younger Henry Hart

The son Henry never met grew up to follow in his father’s footsteps as a labourer. On September 5, 1936, he married Bridget Flynn of Bansha, Co Tipperary in Killorglin. The details of his later life remain a mystery, much like the fate of his father’s body, which was never identified among those recovered from the Atlantic.

Henry Hart’s story is a testament to the human cost of the Titanic disaster, reminding us of the individual dreams and families forever altered by that fateful night in April 1912.