William Arthur Lobb

William Arthur Lobb was a 31 (thirty-one) year-old English-American engineer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Cornwall, England in 1881, Lobb’s journey from a small mining town to his fateful voyage on the Titanic is a story of immigration, love, and ultimately, sacrifice.

Early Life and Background

Where did William Arthur Lobb come from?

William Arthur Lobb was born in the spring of 1881 in Luxulyan, a small village in Cornwall, England. He was the son of George Lobb, a China clay labourer, and Caroline Stephens (née Clark). William came from a large family, with five siblings:

• Frederick George (1875-1922)
• Thomas Henry (b. 1877)
• Charles Jethro (1879-1962)
• Coleman James (1883-1938)
• Mildred Adeline (b. 1887)

What was Lobb’s early career?

Following in his father’s footsteps, William initially worked as a China clay labourer. This was a common occupation in Cornwall, known for its rich deposits of kaolin, or China clay. However, William’s ambitions would soon take him far from the quarries of his homeland.

Journey to America

When did William Lobb immigrate to the United States?

In the early 1900s, William made the bold decision to emigrate to the United States. He was not alone in this venture, as three of his brothers - Frederick, Charles, and Coleman - had already settled in Salt Lake City, Utah.

How did William’s life change in America?

William chose to make his home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he found work as an engineer on the railroads for the Lackawanna Railroad Company. It was here that he met and fell in love with Cordelia Stanlick, a fellow Cornish immigrant. The couple married on April 21, 1909, and settled into their new life together at 1711 Swetland Street, Scranton.

The Titanic Journey

Why were the Lobbs on the Titanic?

In early 1912, William and Cordelia made a trip back to Cornwall to visit his parents, who were then living in St Austell. For their return journey to America, they booked passage on the RMS Titanic, boarding at Southampton as third-class passengers.

Titanic Ticket Details:

• Ticket Number: 3336
• Fare: £16 2s (16 pounds, 2 shillings)

What was William’s last communication before the disaster?

On the day of departure, William sent a poignant postcard to his parents, featuring an image of the Titanic. The message read:

Dear M & F [mother and father] This is a picture of the largest steamer built. We are both well. Love to both Will & Delia

This simple note would be the last communication William’s parents would receive from their son.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to William and Cordelia Lobb on the night of April 14, 1912?

Both William and Cordelia perished in the sinking of the Titanic. According to survivor accounts, Cordelia made the heartbreaking decision to remain with her husband rather than seek a place in a lifeboat. This act of love and devotion in the face of certain death speaks volumes about their relationship and character.

Was William’s body ever recovered?

Tragically, William’s body was never recovered from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. This lack of closure would have been an additional source of grief for his family on both sides of the Atlantic.

Legacy and Remembrance

How were William and Cordelia Lobb memorialized?

A touching memorial to William and Cordelia stands in Fairlawn Cemetery in Dalton, Pennsylvania. The inscription reads:

IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF
WILLIAM & CORDELIA LOBB
WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
BY THE FOUNDERING OF THE
S. S. TITANIC
APRIL 14, 1912

This memorial serves as a permanent reminder of the couple’s love and the tragedy that befell them, along with so many others, on that fateful night.

What happened to William’s estate?

Letters of Administration were granted to William’s father, George Lobb, on August 3, 1912. William had left effects to the value of £50 in Cornwall, a modest sum that hints at the working-class background of this Titanic victim.

Family After the Tragedy

The loss of William and Cordelia rippled through both sides of the Atlantic:

• William’s parents continued to live in St Austell, Cornwall. His mother passed away in 1929, and his father on October 27, 1943.
• His brothers Fred and Charles remained in the USA, living out their days in Salt Lake City. Fred died in 1922 and Charles in 1962.
• Brother Coleman moved to Los Angeles, where he passed away in 1938.

William Arthur Lobb’s story is one of many that illustrates the human cost of the Titanic disaster. A young engineer seeking a better life in America, his journey was cut tragically short, leaving behind grieving families on both sides of the ocean he tried to cross.