The story of a third class passenger who survived the sinking of the Titanic will be told to the public and the residents of Spring Hills Cherry Hill Luxury Assisted Living, 1450 Marlton Pike East in Cherry Hill, on Friday, April 18 at 2 p.m. Mike Madigan will tell the story of his great, great aunt, Titanic survivor Maggie Madigan, on this 102nd anniversary of the ship sinking. Attending this event is free. Registrations can be made by contacting Stacy Gibson at (856) 874–7700 or SGibson@spring-hills.net.
Maggie’s personal story brings the Titanic to life. She was traveling on the Titanic to New York to live with her sister who had emigrated in 1904. She traveled with Daniel and Bridget Bertha Moran and their son Patrick Ryan as third class passengers. Maggie and Bertha were jolted awake by the collision. Confused and frightened, Maggie and Bertha were soon joined by Daniel and Patrick who hustled them to the third class promenade area where they managed to climb to the boat deck with many other steerage passengers. Having ascended to the boat deck at the stern of Titanic, Daniel and Patrick fought to place Maggie and Bertha into the last of the lifeboats, notably numbers 13, 14, 15 and 16. They were able to get into lifeboat 15 shortly before it descended from the boat deck, but they were to never see Daniel and Patrick again.
Stacy Gibson, director of recreational services at Spring Hills, tries to re-create historic events for the residents. “The Titanic is a substantial part of our history,” Gibson said. “I’ve never heard a story about the Titanic told this way by a survivor’s nephew. We welcome all guests to come and learn from Mr. Madigan as we will.”
