Mr Stephen Curnow Jenkin

Who was Stephen Curnow Jenkin?

Stephen Curnow Jenkin was a 32 (thirty-two) year-old English miner who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on November 5, 1879, in Nanjivey, Stennack, St Ives, Cornwall, Jenkin’s life was cut short during his return journey to America, where he had been working as a copper miner.

Early Life and Background

Cornish Roots

Stephen Curnow Jenkin was born into a mining family in Cornwall, England. His parents were:

Father: John Jenkin (1847-1916), a tin miner and later a blacksmith
Mother: Catherine “Kate” Mitchell Curnow (1847-1930)

Stephen was one of seven children, with five surviving to adulthood:

John Curnow (1871-1871)
Annie Jane (b. 1872)
William John (1876-1953)
Etta Thomas (b. 1882)
Katie (1885-1891)
Dorothy Mary (b. 1890)

From Quarryman to Copper Miner

Stephen’s early life was spent in Cornwall, with census records showing:

1881: Living with family at Stennack
1891: Residing at 2 Nanjivey, Trenwith
1901: Working as a quarryman, still living with family in Trenwith

In 1903, at the age of 24, Stephen made a life-changing decision to emigrate to America. He settled in Houghton, Michigan, where he found work as a copper miner. His brother William and family followed two years later, also working in the copper mines.

The Titanic Journey

An Unexpected Change of Plans

Stephen Jenkin’s fateful journey on the Titanic was not his original plan. Consider these key points:

Jenkin had returned to St Ives in the summer of 1911 to visit family
He was not initially booked on the Titanic
Coal strikes led to his second-class reservation being switched to the Titanic
His ticket (number C.A. 33111) cost £10 10s

Premonitions and Precautions

Interestingly, Jenkin seemed to have some misgivings about his journey:

It was later reported that shortly after leaving St Ives for Southampton he had misgivings about the new ship and returned to his parents to leave his valuables (including his watch) with them in case anything should happen to him.

A Postcard from the Ship

During his journey, Stephen sent a postcard to his family, providing a glimpse into his experience:

Dear Father and Mother and Sisters. I am sending another photo of the same ship. This is the 3rd one I sent you. This goes from Queenstown and the last one I sent from Cherbourg, the first one from Southampton. They are three different views of the same ship. I am not sick yet. She is a nice ship to ride on. I’ll write from New York next time.

What Happened to Stephen Jenkin During the Disaster?

Stephen Curnow Jenkin did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a second-class passenger, his chances of survival were lower than those in first class. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

Financial Aftermath

Following Stephen’s death:

He left effects valued at £201 8s 2d to his father
The probate report was dated November 21, 1912, and lodged at Bodmin
His parents were awarded 3s 6d weekly from the Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund

Memorial and Family History

Stephen Jenkin is remembered in several ways:

A family memorial in Barnoon Cemetery, St Ives, Cornwall, alongside his parents
His brother William’s life after the tragedy:
- Had another child in 1913 who died at age 8
- Moved to Detroit and worked in an automobile factory until his death in 1953

How Did Stephen Jenkin’s Story Impact the Titanic Narrative?

Stephen Curnow Jenkin’s story, while one of many tragic losses from the Titanic disaster, provides a personal glimpse into the lives affected by this historic event. His journey from Cornwall to Michigan, and his fateful return trip, illustrates the global nature of the tragedy and the dreams of a better life that were cut short for so many Titanic victims.

His premonitions about the journey and the touching postcard he sent home add a poignant human element to the broader Titanic story, reminding us of the individual lives behind the statistics of this maritime disaster.