Mr Peter Daniel McKane

Mr Peter Daniel McKane was a 46 (forty-six) year-old quarryman from the Channel Islands who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. As a second-class passenger, McKane’s story offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who perished in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Background

Born on December 20, 1865, in Vale, Guernsey, Peter Daniel McKane came from humble beginnings. His parents, Joseph McKane and Mary Ogier, were both Guernsey natives. Peter grew up in a large family, being one of seven children:

• Joseph Thomas (b. 1856)
• Mary Jane (b. 1857)
• Thomas Arthur (b. 1859)
• Louisa Victoria Ann (b. 1861)
• Henry Nicolas (b. 1863)
• Peter Daniel (b. 1865)
• Betsey Ann (b. 1867)

What was Peter’s early career?

Peter’s working life began at a young age. By the time he was 15 (fifteen), the 1881 census described him as a stone dresser, living with his family at Trafalgar Square, Vale. This early exposure to working with stone would shape his future career path.

Emigration to America

In a bold move that would change the course of his life, Peter emigrated to the United States around 1887. He was accompanied by his friend and colleague, William Joseph Douton. The two men settled in New York, where Peter continued his work as a quarryman in Murray and Rochester.

“Peter had been one of a party of 11 visiting the Channel Islands.”

This trip back to his homeland would prove to be Peter’s last, as fate had other plans for his return journey.

The Titanic Journey

Who accompanied Peter on the Titanic?

Peter boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. He was part of a group of 11 individuals who had been visiting the Channel Islands. His traveling companions included:

• William Joseph Douton
• Lillian Winifred Bentham
• Peter Henry Renouf and Lillian Renouf
• Clifford Thomas Jefferys and Ernest Wilfred Jefferys
• Albert Joseph Denbuoy
• Emily Rugg

What were the details of Peter’s ticket?

Peter and William Douton shared a joint ticket, number 38403, which cost £26. This substantial sum (equivalent to over £3,000 in 2023) reflects the relative comfort and amenities offered to second-class passengers on the Titanic.

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, Peter Daniel McKane did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was 46 (forty-six) years old at the time of his death. Despite extensive recovery efforts, his body was never identified, if it was recovered at all.

Legacy and Remembrance

How is Peter McKane remembered?

While Peter’s life was cut short, his memory lives on through a touching memorial. A stone was erected in Hillside Cemetery, Orleans, New York, dedicated to both Peter McKane and his friend William Douton. The memorial was commissioned by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which Peter was a member.

The inscription reads:

ERECTED IN MEMORY OF WM DOUGHTON & PETER MCKAIN LOST AT SEA WITH S.S. TITANIC APR. 14. 1912 BY HOLLEY LODGE 42 I.O.O.F.

This memorial serves as a lasting tribute to Peter McKane, ensuring that his story continues to be told as part of the broader narrative of the Titanic’s victims.

Peter Daniel McKane’s life, from his humble beginnings in Guernsey to his tragic end aboard the Titanic, exemplifies the dreams and aspirations of many who sought new opportunities across the Atlantic. His story remains a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster and the lives cut short on that fateful night in April 1912.