Nothing is known about John Hussey except that he joined the Mercantile Marine as a fireman on steam ships.
He engaged as a fireman in the Engineering Department on board the Lusitania, at Liverpool, at a monthly rate of pay of £6-10s.-0d. (£6.50p.) and joined the liner on the morning of the 17th April before she made what would be her final voyage out of Liverpool, across the Atlantic to New York.
On the afternoon of the 7th May, while the Lusitania was six days into her return voyage to Liverpool, the liner was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-20. At that time, the Lusitania was within sight of the coast of southern Ireland and only about fourteen hours steaming time away from the safety of her home port.
Fireman Hussey was fortunate enough to be counted amongst the survivors, and having been landed at Queenstown, he presumably returned home to his family and friends.
Cunard Records, UniLiv.D92/1/6, PRO BT 100/345, Graham Maddocks, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.
Revised & Updated – 19th January 2024.