James Farrell (b. 1886 - April 15th, 1912) was a Third Class passenger of the Titanic. He died in the sinking, but managed to save a few girls' lives.
He boarded the Titanic at Queenstown as a third class passenger (ticket number 367232 which cost £7, 15s) and he was travelling to an address in New York City. Whilst aboard it appears he was acquainted with several others from Co Longford: Katie Gilnagh, Kate Mullin, the Kiernan brothers John and Philip, the Murphy sisters Catherine and Margaret and Thomas McCormack. He may also have known the McCoy siblings, also from Co Longford.
On the night of the sinking, James and his Longford compatriots stayed together during the evacuation. When the women in the group were attempting to cross a barrier to a higher deck a crew member prevented them from doing so. James intervened, shouting "For God's sake man, let the girls past to the boats, at least!" The threat of an altercation from the burly Irishman made the crew member comply and the group passed through, James giving his cap to Kate Gilnagh. Kate never forgot the actions of James Farrell and later referred to him as her guardian angel.
James died in the disaster. His body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett (#68) and he was buried at sea on April 24th, 1912.
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NO. 68. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 40. - HAIR, DARK; MOUSTACHE, LIGHT CLOTHING - Dark suit; black boots; grey socks. EFFECTS - Silver watch; two purses (one empty), the other with $10.00, 3s. 2 1/2d., and 10 kronor; two studs; cameo; beads, left on body. NAME ON THIRD TICKET NO. B67233. JAMES FARRELL, Longford |
Portrayals[]
A Night to Remember (1958)[]
Patrick McAlinney as James Farrell in A Night to Remember (1958)
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With words going around that women and children are taken to the boats! |
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—James Farrell to a steward | ||
James Farrell was portayed by actor Patrick McAlinney in A Night to Remember. It should be noted that Farrell's portrayal in this film is somewhat fictional, as he is portrayed as an older, married man. James Farrell isn't married in real life.
He first appeared while preparing to head to Queenstown to board the Titanic, along with his wife, Patrick Murphy, Martin Gallagher and Kate, where they parted ways with their family and church members. A pastor then asked Farrell how their horse-drawn carriage would be, to which Farrell replied that he would sell it in Queenstown.
James Farrell with Mrs. Farrell, Kate Gilnagh and Martin Gallagher in the Third Class General Room
On board the Titanic, during the April 14 evening party in the Third Class General Room, James Farrell and the other passengers sang the song "Off to Philadelphia", which was led by Patrick Murphy. The passengers then danced, Farrell danced with his wife.
When the Titanic sank, Farrell, Mrs. Farrell and Kate head into the General Room, while Murphy and Gallagher head out to investigate the upper deck. When they returned, Murphy and Gallagher warned them to immediately go to the boat deck, knowing the ship was sinking.
"You can't got through here, this is not the way to the steerage boat deck, i told ya!"
Farrell, Mrs. Farrell, Patrick Murphy, Martin Gallagher, Kate, plus Polish Girl (Murphy's love interest), along with her mother looking for a way to sneak off to the boat deck. When they went to one of the gates that led to the first class area, they were instead ordered away by two of the crew, saying that it was not the way to the steerage boat deck area, even though Farrell had told them that women and children should be allowed to go to the boat.
The group retreated, but found another path to the upper deck, via a second-class staircase, but they were immediately stopped by a steward. Gallagher threatened the steward, so he left immediately. Farrell suggested hurrying to avoid being reprimanded by others.
The group met Chief Baker Charles Joughin, who was drunk, and asked him the way to the boat. Joughin doesn't answer clearly, confuses them and leaves. They then arrived at the First Class Dining Saloon, where they had admired first-class luxury, but were immediately rushed when they found out that Titanic was getting tilted.
Through the second class entrance, they made it to the boat deck near lifeboat 16. They saw a woman almost fell into the sea due to hysteria, making them cringe. Fifth Officer Harold Lowe called the women into the boat, so they parted with the men.
James Farrell, Martin Gallagher and Patrick Murphy on the stern
As the Titanic began to sink rapidly, Farrell, Murphy and Gallagher along with many other passengers went to the stern, and watched in horror as the water drew nearer to them. Murphy then advised the passengers to pray, until finally the Titanic completely gone.
While Murphy and Gallagher survived the sinking by straddling the overturned Collapsible B, James Farrell were not. His grieving wife and other passengers then prayed on the RMS Carpathia.
S.O.S. Titanic (1979)[]
Robert Pugh as James Farrell in S.O.S. Titanic (1979)
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I'm Farrell, James, Jim. We're from Longford. |
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—James Farrell to Martin Gallagher and Daniel Buckley | ||
In S.O.S. Titanic, James Farrell was portrayed by actor Robert Pugh. Farrell's portrayal is much more accurate in this film, when compared to his portayal in the previous film.
He first appeared during boarding in Queenstown, where he and David Charters quickly became acquainted with two fellow Irish girls, Kate Gilnagh and Kate Mullins.
He and David then met their cabinmates, and happened to be fellow Irishmen, Martin Gallagher and Daniel Buckley. The four of them then went to the General Room that night, where Farrell brought them drinks. When Daniel Buckley fails to get a woman to dance, Farrell, David and Gallagher laugh.
The men got to know several other people, including Bridget Bradley and Mary Agatha Glynn who were cabinmates with Kate Gilnagh and Kate Mullins, and a Norwegian passenger Olaus Abelseth.
James Farrell comforting Kate Gilnagh
When Kate Gilnagh is seasick, Farrell and David visit her, while David offers her some fruit, which Kate refuses. Farrell then encouraged Kate so that she could feel better.
That night, in the General Room, Farrell advised Gallagher not to give up in approaching Irish Beauty, so Gallagher this time could invite Irish Beauty to dance.
On the night of April 14th, the men and girls all go to the General Room, where the passengers sing together "Isn't it Grand Boys?" and dance together, until the party is chaotic with rats running around. Farrell and David intended to catch the mouse, sarcastically commenting; "fresh meat for tomorrow".
When the Titanic hit the iceberg, the shock was so violent that Farrell was thrown from his bunk. He and David then went to the upper deck and saw many small pieces of ice on the forward well deck, and with the other passengers playing and throwing the ice.
Daniel Buckley then came to warn them that their cabin was starting to submerge in water. After that, they went to pick up the girls and head to the General Room, where steward John Hart and stewardess Violet Jessop announced that they were taking a small group to the boat deck. Farrell thought it would take some time, so decided to go sneak onto the boat deck with a small group of his own. This time the group was added by Karen Marie, Peter Søholt and Sigurd Moen.
James Farrell in the First Class Dining Saloon
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For God's sake mister, let the women through at least! |
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—James Farrell to Thomas King | ||
The group is faced with several obstacles, Olaus Abelseth has to break down a gate and they then get lost in the First Class Dining Saloon, where they are stopped by Master at-arms Thomas King who thinks they are going to steal something. They dismissed the accusation and said they were only looking for a way to the lifeboats. Farrell then begged King to at least let the women through. King then relented, and the women parted ways with the men.
The women managed to find their way to Collapsible D, and somehow Farrell, Gallagher and David got separated from Daniel Buckley, Olaus Abelseth, Peter Søholt and Sigurd Moen.
James Farrell and the other passengers praying with Father Thomas Byles
As the water started to reach the boat deck, Farrell, Gallagher and David prayed with the other passengers led by Father Thomas Byles, before they were all swept away by the water and drowned.