Julia Smyth
Julia Smyth was a passenger and survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster.
Background[]
Julia was the daughter of a farmer named Henry Smyth and was born in Pottlebawn, Kilcogy, County Cavan, Ireland on July 4, 1894. Her mother was Mary Cunningham. Both Henry and Mary were from County Covan originally and Roman Catholics. The Smyth family could speak English.
Nearly all of Julia's siblings were older. Mary Anne was the first, born in 1882. A son was born after Mary in 1884: Henry. Another came in 1886: James. Agnes was next in 1889, with Delia following her in 1890. Julia’s younger sister was Margaret. She was conceived in 1900.
Titanic[]
Julia Smyth was only 17 years old when she decided to emigrate to New York City as her brother Henry lived there and thsus booked a steerage ticket, boarding the ill-fated ship on April 11, 1912 in Queenstown (ticket number 335432, £7 14s 8d). She shared a Third Class cabin with three other girls from County Cavan: Mary McGovern, Mary Agatha Glynn, and Kate Connolly.
On the night of April 14, Titanic hit an iceberg. She started sinking as a result and Julia, Mary Glynn, Kate Connelly and Mary McGovern were all praying on their deck when they were found by Martin Gallagher who helped them scramble their way up, where they got onto lifeboat 13. Julia almost didn't make it to the lifeboat which was quickly being lowered, but she jumped and bridged the gap thanks to her long enough legs, as she would describe so proudly.
She wrote a letter to her mother when she was rescued by the Carpathia. While the Carpathia was on her way to New York to bring Titanic’s former passengers there, Julia had developed an illness, possibly scarlatina. Having recovered, she met up with her brother Henry and she could get to work as a domestic servant.
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My Dear Mother I suppose you thought you would never here tell of me again when the ship sank. I suppose youse were in a terribl fret. but if any of you see they site that we all had to go through your faces would never be seen again. I cannot always be explain of it for I am sick and tired of it talking of it all the time. Well mother I am not feeling so lonesome now because I have a good place for the start. I am learning everything. it is so hard to get a first class place but I got it. but there is nothing but work. no matter where you go every one say am the luckeys one that ever struk New York to get in because there is not a job to be got in the office. these people go to the country from the Summer. Nora Glean and me is left in the house for the Summer. we will be do in nothing the holl Summer. I can have a good rest. I hope youse have all the work done home and not last. hope youse have Lary McCoonarty again. tell him for me I will send him what will give him a good wash down for the Summer. I am so very lucky to be on the land of the living atall. every says to me I was not on the Titinice atall I look so good. every say I must get good times in the old Ireland. I suppose I would look if I never got much. I was pretty shuck coming over. I was sick all the time on the ship. I nearly fell into big sea when I was going up they ladder to the carpatin that morning I got wake. I was a few steps up, I fell back again but I said to myself I might as well strive and get in. everyone for themselves that moment life or death. I am sure there is not one in Pottle boys or girls would make the fight I made. there was thousand before me and Katie jumped ought into the boat. only my legs was long I would never made it. everyone seems very nice to me. Bridget Ballasty bought me a nice waist. Bridget the neighbour bought me a lovely present. I saw all from home. James told me that a lot of people went from home. he never told me that a lot of people went from home. he never told me there names. tell him write and tell me. I'm finished cleaning reting all evening. write me soon. pray for me mama. XX Julia I get oatmeal sturboat in the morning to ate. tell the cricket I was asking for him. is the gang in Pottle again. 346 Lexington Ave this is my adres. America is no jock. Ireland is the place for everyone that can stay home. I am sure Henry crys the day he ever left Pottle. |
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Later life[]
Julia's first husband was William Glover. They were issued a marriage license on 30 November 1917 in Manhattan, New York City. They were living in Manhattan, New York City in 1920 according to the federal census. This marriage ended in divorce before 1930 and Julia took a position in the home of Ella Baker Weir in Manhattan. Amy found love again with a Brit, named Thomas Charles White and they wed eachother.
In 1958 she was one of the Titanic survivors who attended the premier of 'A Night to Remember'. This film also had a story about the evacuation of young Irish Third Class girls, which had similarities with what the Covan girls experienced. In 1960 she was back for a while in her native country.
Julia White passed away in New York on April 27, 1977. Her husband survived her.