Andrew McCabe was born in Barlow Street, Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, on the 5th April 1888, the son of Andrew and Mary McCabe (née Cross). His father was a cobbler, and Andrew was one of seven children. He was educated at St. John’s Roman Catholic School, Walton.
He grew up to be a tall fair haired man with blue eyes and had an unassuming quiet manner. On completing his education, he became a wood worker.
He married Catherine Jones in Liverpool on the 2nd May 1911, and by 1915 they lived at 34, Lancaster Street, Everton, Liverpool, with Andrew’s younger brother Richard.
He signed on as a fireman in the Engineering Department on board the Lusitania, at Liverpool, on the 12th April 1915. His monthly rate of pay of £6-10s.-0d, (£6.50p.). His previous ship had been the Hesperian. He reported for duty on the morning of the 17th April, before the Lusitania’s left the Mersey for the last time, and he was killed when she was sunk just over three weeks later on her return journey.
His brother Richard McCabe also served as a fireman on the liner and according to family tradition, Richard was on duty in the engine room when the torpedo struck and Andrew, who was off watch, went below to find him. In the event, they were both killed, Andrew McCabe being aged 27 years.
His body was not one of those recovered and identified afterwards and as a result, he is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill, London.
In keeping with all the crew who were killed, The Cunard Steam Ship Company paid him until the 8th May and eventually the balance of wages owing to him, £5, was sent to his widow Catherine. In addition, The Liverpool and London War Risks Insurance Association Limited granted a yearly pension to his widow to compensate her for the loss of her husband which amounted to £23-14s.-1d. (£23.70½p.) which was payable at the rate of £1-19s.-7d. (£1.98p.) per month.
Catherine McCabe later re-married and went to live in Southport, Lancashire, after which the McCabe family lost touch with her.
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Liverpool England Catholic Baptisms 1741 – 1919, 1891 Census of England, 1901 Census of England, 1911 Census of England, Cunard Records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, PRO BT 100/345, UniLiv. PR 13/24, PRO BT 334, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, Graham Maddocks, Catherine Smith, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.
Revised & Updated – 10th November 2024.