Miss Margaret Madigan

Who was Margaret Madigan?

Miss Margaret Madigan, also known as Maggie, was a 21 (twenty-one) year old Irish passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on August 11, 1890, in Askeaton, Ireland, she embarked on a journey that would change her life forever. As a third-class passenger, Maggie’s story is one of survival, resilience, and the pursuit of a new life in America.

Early Life and Background

What was Maggie’s family like?

Maggie came from a Roman Catholic family in Limerick, Ireland. Her parents were:

• James Madigan (born circa 1849): A general labourer
• Margaret Duggan (born circa 1848)

She had two known siblings:

• Simon (born circa 1878)
• Mary (born October 30, 1885)

Where did Maggie grow up?

The Madigan family lived at 35 Church Street in Askeaton, as recorded in the 1901 census. Tragedy struck when Maggie’s father passed away on May 27, 1908, due to a heart ailment. By the 1911 census, her widowed mother was living with her son Simon and his family at 5 Church Street in Askeaton.

The Journey to America

Why did Maggie decide to leave Ireland?

Maggie’s sister Mary had already emigrated to America in 1904, arriving in New York on May 22 aboard the Arabic. Inspired by her sister’s move, Maggie planned to join her at 338 East 155th Street, Manhattan.

How did Maggie end up on the Titanic?

Maggie boarded the Titanic in Queenstown as a third-class passenger. Her ticket number was 370370, which cost £7 15s. Interestingly, she was originally scheduled to cross on the Cymric but ended up on the Titanic instead.

The Fateful Night

Who was Maggie with during the disaster?

Maggie was traveling with a group from Askeaton, including:

• Patrick Ryan
• Bridget Moran
• Daniel Moran

On the night of April 14, 1912, Maggie and Bridget had retired early to their shared cabin. When the Titanic struck the iceberg, they felt the collision more intensely than passengers on higher decks due to their location deep within the ship.

How did Maggie survive the sinking?

In the chaos that ensued, Maggie and Bridget were joined by Daniel and Patrick. The group managed to make their way to the boat deck, where they encountered Father Thomas R. D. Byles, an English priest who was comforting passengers.

Daniel and Patrick fought to place Maggie and Bertha into lifeboat 15 shortly before it descended from the boat deck.

Maggie’s lifeboat narrowly avoided crushing lifeboat 13 as it was lowered. The overcrowded boat barely stayed afloat during that long, cold night. Tragically, Maggie never saw Daniel and Patrick again.

Life After the Titanic

What happened to Maggie immediately after the disaster?

Upon arrival in New York, Maggie recovered at St. Vincent’s Hospital before joining her sister Mary in Manhattan. She later resided in Troy, New York, at 221 14th Street. From this address, she claimed compensation for lost property valued at over $317, including:

• Clothing
• A gold watch
• A gold ring
• $105 in cash

Did Maggie start a family in America?

Maggie’s life in America was marked by both joy and tragedy:

1. First Marriage:

   • Married Alphonsus Thomas Hardt on December 28, 1913
   • Had one son, Alfred (born September 12, 1914)
   • Lived at 508 West 19th Street, Manhattan

2. Tragic Losses:

   • Lost her son Alfred in a drowning accident on September 4, 1925
   • Her husband Alphonsus passed away in September 1928

3. Second Marriage:

   • Married Thomas F. O’Shea on June 2, 1934
   • Lived at 133 West 15th Street, Manhattan
   • Became a widow again when Thomas died in 1951

Margaret Madigan’s Legacy

How long did Maggie live after the Titanic disaster?

Maggie Madigan O’Shea lived a long life, passing away in New York on December 14, 1968, at the age of 78 (seventy-eight). She was buried in Calvary Cemetery, having survived the Titanic disaster by over 56 years.

What can we learn from Maggie’s story?

Maggie’s life exemplifies the resilience of Titanic survivors. Despite facing numerous tragedies, including the loss of her son and two husbands, she persevered. Her story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the pursuit of a better life in a new land.