Mr Thomas James Everett

Who was Thomas James Everett?

Thomas James Everett was a 37 (thirty-seven) year-old English crane operator who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in 1874 in Bedminster, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Everett was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated vessel, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Thomas Everett’s family history?

Thomas Everett came from a family with strong ties to the maritime industry. His father, Thomas Everett (1846-1931), was a mariner, and his mother was Sarah Margrate (b. 1854). Both parents hailed from Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, and married in early 1874. Tragically, Thomas’s mother is believed to have passed away in 1879, leading to his father’s remarriage to Maria Vickery (1843-1924) two years later.

How did Thomas Everett’s early years shape his career?

Growing up in a family of mariners, Thomas was exposed to seafaring life from a young age:

In 1881, he lived with his grandmother, Elizabeth Everett, in Westbury-on-Severn
His grandfather, Joseph Everett, was a barge master who employed several of his sons
By age 16, Thomas was working as an ordinary seaman under his father’s command
Later, he transitioned to working as a dock laborer before becoming a crane operator

Marriage and Family Life

Thomas Everett married Fanny Louisa Chandler on April 3, 1899, in St Agnes’ Church, Bristol. The couple had one son, Harry Albert Charles, born on March 7, 1901. Sadly, they also lost another child during infancy. The family’s residences over the years included:

39 James Street, Bristol (1901)
38 Magdalene Place, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol (1911)
7 Treefield Place, Mina Road, Bristol (1912)

The Titanic Journey

Why did Thomas Everett board the Titanic?

Thomas Everett boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger with his friend Frederick Blainey Shellard. Their destination was Troy, New York, where Everett was to work for Shellard. Originally, they had planned to travel on the Philadelphia, but due to coal strikes, their booking was changed to the Titanic.

“Their destination was Troy, New York and he gave his occupation as a craneman.”

What were the details of Everett’s Titanic ticket?

Detail	Information
Ticket Number	6212
Class	3rd Class
Cost	£15 2s
Embarked	Southampton

Fate During the Disaster

Thomas Everett and his friend Frederick Shellard both perished in the sinking of the Titanic. Everett’s body was recovered on April 23, 1912, by the cable-laying vessel Mackay-Bennett. He was identified as body No. 187 and described as follows:

Estimated Age: 40
Hair Color: Brown
Clothing: Black suit; red and white cholera belt
Personal Effects:
- Tobacco box
- Knife
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Purse with 4 shillings
- Bill case containing $23.00

Everett was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia, on May 10, 1912.

Legacy and Family After the Disaster

How did the Titanic disaster affect Everett’s family?

The loss of Thomas Everett had a profound impact on his family:

His widow, Fanny, remarried in 1919 to Albert Joseph Collings, a ship’s stoker
Fanny had no further children and passed away in Bristol in 1930
Thomas’s son, Harry, married Florence Emily Hatcher in 1926 and raised a family
Harry lived until 1970, carrying on the Everett family legacy

A Lasting Memorial

Thomas James Everett’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives lost in the Titanic disaster. His grave in Fairview Cemetery stands as a lasting memorial to his life and the tragic events of April 15, 1912. As one of the victims of the Titanic, Everett’s tale continues to be told, ensuring that the memory of those who perished lives on.