Jeremiah Burke

Who was Jeremiah Burke?

Jeremiah Burke was a young Irish farm labourer who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic at the age of 19 (nineteen). Born on April 15, 1893, in Ballynoe, County Cork, Ireland, Burke was one of the thousands of Irish emigrants seeking a new life in America. His story is particularly poignant due to a message in a bottle, allegedly thrown from the Titanic, which washed ashore near his hometown a year after the disaster.

Early Life and Family

A Large Irish Catholic Family

Jeremiah Burke was born into a large Roman Catholic family in rural Ireland. His parents were:

William Burke (born circa 1856), a farmer
Catherine Hegarty (born circa 1852)

Jeremiah was one of seven surviving children out of nine born to the couple. His siblings included:

Mary (born January 2, 1883)
Hanora (born April 4, 1885)
Catherine “Kitty” (born January 2, 1887)
Ellen “Nellie” (born December 26, 1888)
William (born January 2, 1891)
Laurence (born May 2, 1895)

Life in Ballynoe

Growing up in Ballynoe, Jeremiah lived the life of a typical farmer’s son in early 20th century Ireland. Census records from 1901 and 1911 show him residing with his family in their rural homestead. By 1911, at the age of 18 (eighteen), he was described as a “farmer’s son,” indicating his involvement in the family’s agricultural work.

The Journey to America

Why did Jeremiah decide to emigrate?

Like many young Irish people of his time, Jeremiah Burke saw America as a land of opportunity. Two of his elder sisters had already made the journey across the Atlantic:

His oldest sister Mary had emigrated to Charlestown, Boston around 1905.
Mary had married Michael Burns in the summer of 1911 and was expecting her first child.

Inspired by his sisters’ success and seeking better prospects, Jeremiah decided to join them in America. Mary, now settled in Boston, sent funds to cover his travel expenses.

Boarding the Titanic

Jeremiah Burke boarded the RMS Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger. His ticket details were as follows:

Ticket number: 365222
Cost: £6 15s (6 pounds, 15 shillings)

He was not alone on this journey. Travelling with him was his cousin, Hanora Hegarty, whose father was the brother of Jeremiah’s mother. During their time on board, they reportedly became acquainted with Eugene Daly and other passengers from Cork.

The Fateful Night

What happened to Jeremiah on the night of April 14-15, 1912?

Tragically, both Jeremiah Burke and his cousin Hanora Hegarty perished when the Titanic sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912. Their bodies, if recovered, were never identified. The sinking occurred on Jeremiah’s 19th birthday, adding an extra layer of poignancy to the tragedy.

The Aftermath

The loss of Jeremiah was deeply felt by his family and community. A notice in the Cork Examiner on April 27, 1912, read:

BURKE - April 15th, lost on ss. Titanic disaster, Jeremiah, the beloved son of William and Kate Burke, Upper Glanmire, aged 19 years. Deeply regretted. R.I.P.

His estate, valued at a modest £5, was administered to his father William on December 11, 1912.

The Message in a Bottle

A Remarkable Discovery

One of the most intriguing aspects of Jeremiah Burke’s story is the message in a bottle allegedly thrown from the Titanic. In early summer 1913, about 13 (thirteen) months after the disaster, a bottle was found on a shingle beach near Cork Harbour. Inside was a pencilled message:

13/4/1912 [sic]
from Titanic,
Goodbye all
Burke of Glanmire Cork

The Holy Water Connection

According to Jeremiah’s grand-niece, Brid O’Flynn, there’s a touching story behind this bottle:

Jeremiah’s mother had filled a small bottle with holy water as a good luck charm.
She gave it to him as he left home, driven to Queenstown by his father and uncle in a pony trap.

Ms. O’Flynn stated, “This is unmistakably the bottle that had left thirteen months previously and unmistakably her son’s handwriting.”

Debates and Significance

The discovery of this message has sparked debates among Titanic historians:

Timing: Could Jeremiah have thrown it overboard as the Titanic sailed?
Significance: Brid O’Flynn noted, “A bottle of holy water in those days that your mother gave you was a reverent thing. It wasn’t something you threw out the side as you left Ireland. To me it senses of panic.”

This poignant message, whether thrown during the sinking or earlier in the voyage, has become a cherished family heirloom. It is now preserved and framed on the wall of John Burke’s house in White’s Cross, Cork, serving as a touching memorial to Jeremiah’s life and the tragedy of the Titanic.

Legacy and Family After the Tragedy

The loss of Jeremiah had a profound impact on his family:

His sister Mary gave birth to a daughter, Catherine Ignatius, on June 21, 1912, just two months after the disaster.
Mary went on to have two more daughters: Mary (born 1915) and Helen Frances (born 1917).
His sister Nellie (later Mrs. James Hamilton) also lived in Boston, having a son named James in 1920. She passed away on March 30, 1982.
Jeremiah’s mother, Catherine, died of cancer on December 30, 1913, less than two years after losing her son.
His father, William, lived for almost two more decades, passing away from pneumonia on May 1, 1931.

Jeremiah Burke’s story, particularly the message in a bottle, has become a po