Irish author researching Birkenhead man’s link to Titanic

Nov 4 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

AN Irish author is trying to trace descendants of a Birkenhead man who was at sea the night Titanic went down.

Marine engineer John Charles Evans, who lived at Alderley Avenue, Claughton, was serving aboard Leyland liner Californian, more than 20 miles away, which saw faint traces of distress rockets rising from beyond the horizon.

The Californian's wireless operator was off duty and asleep, missing frantic calls from the White Star liner. The much smaller freighter was also stopped at an icefield for the night, meaning men like Evans had nothing to do.

Evans lived all his life in Birk-enhead with his wife Mary and family, died in the town aged 73 in 1954.

Maritime author Senan Molony, who lives in Dublin, said: “The fact that the family stayed in Birkenhead for half a century means there are certainly connections out there. I would be grateful if they could get in touch, as I have much background detail to impart in reply to whatever they can tell me.”

Mr Molony can be contacted by e-mail on sennbrig@indigo.ie, by calling 353-1-8211447 or by writing to 8 Chesterfield Grove, Castleknock, Dublin 15, Ireland.