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Writer's pictureTitanictalksMillie

Titanic Connections: The Sailor's Home, Oxford Street

The Sailor’s Home can be found on Oxford Street in Southampton, the house’s purpose was to serve as a communal space for seamen whilst they were not working, the home was first opened in 1909, the location of the space is quite practical as it is less than a ten-minute walk to the City’s dockside. The Sailor’s Home now is run by the Salvation Army. Seventeen of Titanic’s crew members had lodged here before joining the doomed liner.


Thomas Casey:

Born on the 26th July, 1867 in Liverpool, Thomas Casey was baptised on the same day as his birth at Holy Cross Church, Vauxhall, Liverpool. Casey was the son of Thomas Casey Sr. and Margaret Byrne, both of his parents were Irish immigrants, his siblings, Michael, Mary, Annie and Bridget had been born in his families’ hometown of County Sligo, Ireland. The family’s first residence in Liverpool can be traced to number 18 Lace Street, Liverpool and soon after his older sister, Annie lived at number 66 Ashfield Cottages, Liverpool.


It is unknown when Casey embarked on career at sea, but his last ship that he sailed on before Titanic was the auxiliary cruiser, Saint Paul. By this time Casey was lodging at the Sailor’s Home which is located on Oxford Street, Southampton. he signed onto the Titanic on the 6th, April 1912, Casey served as a coal trimmer, he would receive a wage of £5 and 10 shillings. Unfortunately, Casey was lost in the sinking, he died at the age of 38 and was unmarried but, as he had temporarily lodged with his sister, Annie. After the sinking Casey’s sister was able to receive 12 shillings and 6d from the Titanic Relief Fund.


Thomas McAndrew:

Thomas McAndrew was born on the 11th March, 1874. His mother, Mary Ellen Walker died when Thomas was eight-years old. After his mother’s death Thomas was predominantly brought up by his Aunt and two older siblings. According to Encyclopaedia Titanica, in 1911, McAndrew had spent some time in prison for apparently stealing a woman’s purse. His prison records suggest that he had not worked alone as he and his accomplice, Thomas McKenna, had robbed a young woman in Liverpool. This was not the first time McAndrew had been detained, as in 1893 he was convicted on a similar charge, his penalty was to serve three years, and, once a day he was to be ‘Privately whipped.’


Titanic's Convicted Criminal: Thomas McAndrew (above) was nicknamed the 'Hell-raiser' on board the Titanic.

The Liverpool labourer was no stranger with a shipwreck, Thomas had been aboard the cruiser Pomaron when it collided with the Alleghany on the 2nd, February 1912. Thomas McAndrew signed onto the Titanic on the 6th April, 1912, his last address is listed as the Sailor’s Home, Oxford Street, Southampton. Thomas McAndrews did not survive the sinking and his body was never found.


Some years after the loss of the Titanic, Writer, Mark Morin published The Belly of the Beast, which was a collection of short stories, one of the tales was written from the perspective of Thomas McAndrews and his experience of the sinking of the Titanic.


James Johnstone:

James Johnstone was born in Annan, Scotland on the 31st October 1859. James’ father was a shoemaker and in 1861 the family appear to live on High Street of Annan, presumably they lived above his Father’s workshop. James had worked on a catalogue of ships such as the: Britannia, City of Rome and the Paris. A short while after James married his wife Mary Frances, they were married in Sacred Heart Church, Liverpool. In 1911 the couple moved to 96 Church Road, Liverpool.


James was onboard Titanic at Belfast and made the trip across to Southampton. He officially signed onto the ship on April 4th 1912, he had signed on as a first-class steward, this had also been Johnstone’s position on the RMS Olympic, which was the last ship he sailed on before Titanic. James’ last address is listed as the Sailor’s Home, Oxford Street, Southampton.


On the night of the sinking Johnstone had been helping set the first-class dining saloon for breakfast for the next morning. On the ship’s impact with the iceberg Johnstone, like many of the crew and passengers, thought that the ship had thrown a propeller blade. Throughout the night he crossed paths with figures such as: Albert White, Malmesbury Road resident, Albert Toshack and the ship’s designer, Thomas Andrews who was being followed by Captain Smith. After Johnstone had a grasp that his life was in danger, he ascended to the Boat-Deck, but before doing so, James put four oranges in his coat pocket.


After trying to escape on lifeboat number 2, Chief Officer, Henry Wilde had asked him what boat James should be helping and he replied that he was assigned to number 2, he was soon followed into the boat by fourth-officer Joseph Boxhall, who handed him a light, a tin of biscuits and a loaf of bread. According to Johnstone’s testimony roughly, 8-10 fireman had also been in the boat with him. In total lifeboat number 2 carried 25 passengers, which was not even half the capacity that the boat could take.


After surviving the Titanic James Johnstone carried on serving at sea. Unfortunately, his younger son James Jr. was lost in 1915 after the Cunard Liner Lusitania was torpedoed. James’ last address is listed as 249, Prescot Road, Liverpool, he died in 1945, his headstone can be found in Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool.


As always, I’ll leave a few external links about Titanic’s connection with the Sailor’s Home in Southampton. Please feel free to ask any questions and let me know what you think.

Have a ‘titanic’ week,

Millie.


Official Prison Record of Thomas McAndrews’:

The life of Thomas McAndrew:

The life of Thomas Casey:

https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-victim/t-casey.html

The life of James Johnstone:

https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/james-johnston.html

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