John Meehan

Who was Mr John Meehan?

Mr John Meehan was a 22-year-old (twenty-two) Irish general labourer and third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in Curraghbonaun, Achonry, Co Sligo, Ireland around 1890, Meehan was one of the many Irish emigrants seeking a new life in America when he met his tragic end on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Child of Sligo

John Meehan was born into a large, Roman Catholic family in rural Ireland. His parents, Thomas Meehan (born circa 1859) and Honor Cooke (born circa 1851), were Sligo natives who married on February 15, 1876, in Curry, Co Sligo. The Meehan family was deeply rooted in Irish culture, with all members being bilingual in Irish and English.

Siblings and Family Life

John was one of nine children, though sadly three died in infancy. His known siblings were:

• Patrick (born circa 1878)
• Mary (born January 10, 1879)
• Bridget (born July 1, 1886)
• Honor (born January 7, 1892)
• Ellen (born March 15, 1895)
• Thomas (born March 17, 1898)

The Meehan family lived in Curraghbonaun, Achonry West, as evidenced by the 1901 and 1911 census records. These documents provide a glimpse into John’s early life, showing the family residing at house 34 in 1901 and house 9 in 1911.

The Path to America

Following in Familial Footsteps

By 1912, at least three of John’s siblings had already made the journey across the Atlantic:

• Patrick, who married Bridget Moran in Chicago in 1909 but tragically died on December 25, 1911
• Honor and Mary, who were living in Chicago

It was John’s intention to join his sisters in Chicago, a decision that would ultimately lead him to book passage on the Titanic.

The Fateful Journey

John Meehan’s journey to America took an unexpected turn due to the coal strikes of 1912. Originally booked on another ship (possibly the Cymric), his passage was switched to the Titanic. He boarded the ill-fated vessel at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger, holding ticket number AQ/4 3130, which cost £7 15s.

Aboard the Titanic

A Brave Soul in the Face of Disaster

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, John Meehan reportedly displayed remarkable courage. Witnesses recounted that he helped a fellow Irish passenger, Hannah Riordan, into a lifeboat. In a poignant moment, he reassured her not to worry about him, boasting that he was a strong swimmer.

“Don’t worry about me,” John reportedly told Hannah Riordan as he saw her off to safety, “I’m a strong swimmer.”

This act of bravery and self-sacrifice paints a vivid picture of John Meehan’s character in his final moments.

The Aftermath

Confusion and Confirmation

In the chaotic aftermath of the disaster, there was initially some doubt about whether John had actually been aboard the Titanic. His sister Mary reported receiving word from their mother in Ireland that John had not travelled on the ship. However, it soon became tragically clear that John had indeed been a passenger and was among the lost.

Impact on the Meehan Family

The loss of John had a profound impact on the Meehan family:

• His parents received financial assistance following his death
• His mother passed away on January 11, 1927, in Co Sligo
• His father lived until October 19, 1935, though he battled senility in his later years

The Meehan Legacy

John’s tragic story is part of a larger tale of Irish emigration and the Titanic disaster. While he never reached Chicago, his siblings carried on the family’s legacy in America:

• Sisters Mary and Honor remained in Chicago, marrying James Brennan and Patrick Duffy respectively
• Brother Thomas emigrated to Chicago in 1923, joining his sisters
• Only Bridget and Ellen are believed to have remained in Ireland

John Meehan’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the dreams, courage, and sacrifices of the many Irish emigrants who sought a better life across the Atlantic, only to have their journeys cut short by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.