Titanic Tales

Father Frank Browne is in many ways central to the story of Titanic and Cobh (Queenstown). Fr. Browne was an avid photographer and his collection of images of his journey in Titanic from Southampton to Queenstown remains the largest collection of pictures taken onboard Titanic. Some of his images appeared on the front pages of the world's press in the days following the sinking. His images have been of major importance to Titanic historians over the years and have appeared in almost all publications on the ship.

Although, Fr. Browne's passage was booked for Queenstown he did have a lucky escape. He was a theology student at the time and his uncle, then Bishop of Cloyne and based in Queenstown, sent him a ticket for the initial leg of Titanic's maiden voyage from Southampton to Cherbourg and then onto Queenstown. While on board '....Frank was befriended by an American millionaire couple who were seated at the same table in the liner's first class dining room. After one of the meals they invited him down to the Marconi room. They had him send a message to his superior in Dublin....asking permission to remain on board for the remainder of the voyage to New York. The American couple would pay his way.' (Father Browne's Titanic Album, E.E. O' Donnell, 2012) On arrival in Queenstown a telegraph from his superiors awaited him which simply read "GET OFF THAT SHIP." Fr. Eddie O' Donnell said the photographer kept the telegram in his wallet for the rest of his life telling people "it was the only time that holy obedience ever saved a man's life."

Discover little nuggets of Titanic history, such as this, on the Titanic Trail, or in the Titanic Experience, or Cobh the Queenstown Story. Visit Cobh and experience the story of Titanic and its visit to Queenstown. The Commodore Hotel is currently offering Titanic packages that will allow you to do just that.