Mr Shadrach Gale

Who was Shadrach Gale?

Shadrach Gale was a 33 (thirty-three) year-old English miner who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Calstock, Cornwall, Gale had established a life in Colorado, USA, before embarking on his fateful journey back to America aboard the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Cornish Roots

A Mining Family Heritage

Born on July 17, 1878, in Calstock, Tavistock, Cornwall, Shadrach Gale came from a family deeply rooted in the mining industry. His father, Elijah Gale, was a tin miner, and this profession would later influence Shadrach’s own career path.

Family and Siblings

Shadrach was one of eight children born to Elijah and Maria Sandercock Gale. His siblings included:

Alice (b. 1872)
Harry (b. 1874)
Rachel (b. 1876)
Enoch Edward (1882-1939)
Rebecca Spry (1883-1943)
George (1886-1886)
Emily Knott (1888-1973)

Childhood and Early Years

Young Shadrach’s early life was marked by close family ties:

In 1881, he lived with his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Rebecca Sandercock, at Rising Sun in Calstock.
By 1891, the family had moved to Harrow Barrow, Calstock.
Later, they settled at 1 School Cottages in Harrow Barrow, where they remained for many years.

Journey to America and Life in Colorado

What led Shadrach to leave Cornwall?

Following in the footsteps of his brothers Harry and Enoch, who had emigrated to Colorado in 1900, Shadrach decided to seek opportunities across the Atlantic. On April 25, 1903, he departed from Southampton aboard the ship New York, marking the beginning of his American adventure.

Establishing a Life in Colorado

Shadrach’s time in America was characterized by:

Settling in Marshall, San Miguel, Colorado
Working as a machinist in a gold mine
Living as a boarder at the Sheridan boarding house (as recorded in the 1910 census)
Later moving to Idaho Springs, Colorado
Becoming a member of Woodmen of the World

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Return to Cornwall and Departure

In 1911, Shadrach and his brother Harry, both bachelors, decided to return to Cornwall to visit their family. They arrived back in Britain aboard the Majestic on June 15, 1911. After their visit, they prepared for their return to Colorado.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, Shadrach and Harry boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as second-class passengers. Their ticket, number 28664, cost £21. It’s believed they may have been traveling with fellow Calstock natives Frederick Pengelly and William Ware.

Tragedy Strikes

Shadrach Gale, like many others, did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on that fateful night of April 15, 1912.

At the age of 33 (thirty-three), Shadrach’s promising life was cut short. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

Memorials and Tributes

The Woodmen of the World erected a memorial to Shadrach in Idaho Springs Cemetery, honoring their fallen member.
Shadrach and Harry are commemorated on their parents’ headstone in St Andrew’s Churchyard in Calstock, Cornwall.

Family Aftermath

Shadrach’s mother, Maria, passed away on May 9, 1922.
His father, Elijah, died on November 1, 1936.
Both parents were laid to rest in St Andrew’s Churchyard, Calstock.

Shadrach Gale’s Place in Titanic History

Shadrach Gale’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives affected by the Titanic disaster. As one of the second-class passengers who did not survive, his journey from the mines of Cornwall to the gold fields of Colorado, and his tragic end on the Titanic, encapsulate the dreams and destinies of many who sailed on that fateful voyage.