Miss Margaret Daly

Who was Margaret Daly?

Miss Margaret Daly, also known as Maggie, was a 33 (thirty-three) year old Irish seamstress who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on July 1, 1878, in Irishtown, Co Westmeath, Ireland, Margaret’s journey on the Titanic was part of her return to the United States after an extended visit to her homeland.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Margaret Daly’s family like?

Margaret Daly came from a Roman Catholic family in Ireland. Her parents were:

• Patrick Daly: A labourer and railway worker
• Bridget Egan: Born around 1848

Margaret had six known siblings:

1. Mary (born November 1, 1870)
2. Bridget (born January 23, 1873)
3. Anne (born August 22, 1874)
4. Joseph (born May 4, 1876)
5. John (born October 12, 1881)
6. Catherine (born August 18, 1883)

Her father passed away before 1901, leaving her mother to raise the family. Margaret’s brother John had emigrated to the United States around 1903, settling in the Bronx where he worked as a policeman.

Previous Life in America

Margaret had lived in the USA before, though the exact timeframe is unclear. There are records of an Athlone-born Margaret Daly of similar age crossing the Atlantic aboard the Cedric in November 1905, but it’s uncertain if this was the same person.

Return to Ireland and Decision to Emigrate Again

Around 1910, Margaret returned to Ireland for an extended visit. The 1911 census shows her living with her mother and sister Mary at 98 Irishtown, where she was listed as an unmarried seamstress.

The Titanic Journey

How did Margaret Daly come to be on the Titanic?

Margaret decided to return to New York and booked passage on the RMS Titanic. She boarded the ship at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger. Her ticket details were:

Margaret wasn’t traveling alone. She was part of a group from the Athlone area, which included:

• Bertha E. Mulvihill
• Eugene Patrick Daly
• Delia Henry
• Michael Connaughton
• The Rice family

What was Margaret’s experience on the Titanic?

Margaret shared a cabin with Bertha Mulvihill near one of the ship’s boiler rooms. This location would prove significant on the night of the disaster.

The Night of the Sinking

“After the collision with the iceberg, Eugene Daly woke the two women and saw them safely into a lifeboat just as it was being lowered.”

Eugene Daly, another passenger from their group, played a crucial role in saving Margaret’s life. He woke both Margaret and Bertha after the ship struck the iceberg and helped them into a lifeboat. While Bertha suffered a broken rib during the boarding process, Margaret made it safely onto the boat.

Arrival in New York

Upon arrival in New York aboard the Carpathia, Margaret was listed as “Marcella Daly.” She was described as an unmarried domestic worker headed to her brother John’s residence at 356 East 157th Street, New York City. John came to meet her at the Cunard Pier.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience impact Margaret’s life?

After the Titanic disaster, Margaret remained in New York, working domestic jobs. She maintained some contact with fellow survivors Bridget Mulvihill and Eugene Daly.

Did Margaret marry after the Titanic?

Yes, on April 15, 1920, exactly eight years after the Titanic sinking, Margaret married Irish-born widower Bartholomew C. Griffin (born circa 1871) in Manhattan, New York.

Later Life and Death

Margaret and Bartholomew lived at 2231 3rd Avenue in New York. Sadly, Bartholomew passed away on April 15, 1934 - again, on the anniversary of the Titanic disaster.

Margaret Daly Griffin died on April 7, 1939, at the age of 60 (sixty). Her last address was recorded as 304 East 162nd Street, New York. She was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery alongside her husband, bringing to a close the remarkable life of a Titanic survivor.