Dr William O’ Loughlin from Tralee was the doctor aboard the ill-fated Titanic.
IN the week marking the 103rd anniversary of the Titanic tragedy, it’s worth recalling a significant Tralee connection to the ill-fated ship.
In an article from The Kerryman from a few years ago, Simon Brouder wrote that the ship’s captain on that maiden voyage was a Dr William O’Loughlin from Tralee.
Dr O’Loughlin was born in 1851 and grew up on what would now be Ashe Street, then called Nelson Street.
He would study medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) in Dublin and in 1872 completed his studies at the age of 21.
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His ill-health was a major factor in his decision to pursue a career at sea, one which would last 40 years until his death in the disaster of April 15, 1912.
The intervening years were spent practicing his craft aboard a number of different ships until he eventually found himself employed as the ‘Dean of Medicine’ for the White Star Line which was Titanic’s parent company.
When the Titanic set off on its maiden voyage in 1912, O’Loughlin was 62 years old and beginning to tire of the sea life.
On the voyage he came into contact with the rich and famous on-board, such as the ship’s designer Thomas Andrews, Captain Edward Smith and Bruce Ismay.
On the night of April 14, 1912, just hours before the Titanic sank, William O’Loughlin was dining with some of ship’s most famous passengers in the Titanic’s packed main dining room. He soon became embroiled in a lively discussion about the technical wonder of the ship which led him to lead a mighty toast where he exclaimed “Let us drink to the mighty Titanic!”
Dr William O’Loughlin, who had always said he wished to be buried at sea, never made it off the ship.
To read the full article from The Kerryman, click here.
