Thomas W. McCawley was a gym instructor on the Titanic. He did not survive the sinking.
Biography[]
Mr. Thomas W. McCawley was born in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland around 1876.
He had spent time living in Cape Town, South Africa. He returned to Britain from Durban, South Africa on 13 January 1912 aboard the Saxon of the Union Castle Line and was described as a physical educator.
Some survivor described him as a' ruddy cheeked, spry white man in white flannels'. First Class passenger Father Browne also took a picture of him and the gymnasium.
During the sinking, he kept on his post in the gym while the passengers waited on deck and eventually found their way into his gym.
He told one of the passenger that he would not wear a lifebelt, because it would slow him down as he swam.
Fate[]
He died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.
Portrayals[]
S.O.S. Titanic (1979)[]
Roy Scrammell as Thomas McCawley in S.O.S. Titanic (1979)
Thomas McCawley was portrayed by Roy Scammell in S.O.S. Titanic. He appeared in various scenes at the gymnasium. He is often seen practicing various acrobatic moves to the passengers in his gym.
1997 Film Titanic[]
Brian McDermott as Thomas McCawley in the 1997 film Titanic
In the 1997 film Titanic, he was portrayed by Brian McDermott, which was twice as old as the real McCawley and looked nothing like the real McCawley. However, all of his scenes were cut in the theatrical release and he could only be seen in the deleted scenes.
| “ |
And over here the electric horse, which is very popular. And we even have the electric camel. And this is our new rowing machine... Care to try your hand, Ma'm? |
” |
—Thomas McCawley to Ruth and Rose Dewitt Bukater | ||
In the first deleted scene, he is seen introducing the various tools and machines he has in his gym to Rose DeWitt Bukater, Ruth DeWitt Bukater and several other passengers on their tour with Thomas Andrews. McCawley offered Ruth a chance to try the rowing machine, which she refused.
| “ |
Well, I won't wear one sir! It'll just slow me down. Impede my stroke... |
” |
—Thomas McCawley to William Ernest Carter and John Jacob Astor IV to T.W. McCawley | ||
When the Titanic sank, McCawley remained in his gym and helped the passengers put on their lifebelts. He told William Carter that he would not wear a lifebelts as it would slow him down while he swam. John Jacob Astor commented to him that it would be dangerous as it'll be beat his stroke because the ship was 1130 kilometers away from shore.