Joseph Casey was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, on the 25th November 1863, the son of William Patrick and Mary Casey (née Roache), both of whom were born in Ireland. His father was a joiner and on completing his education, James became an apprentice plumber before turning to a career in the Mercantile Marine as a ship’s fireman.
On the 26th September 1887, he married Annie Moore, and the couple went on to have nine children. In 1915, the family lived at 43, Webster Street, Litherland, Liverpool.
Joseph Casey engaged for service as a fireman in the Engineering Department, on board the Lusitania at Liverpool on the 12th April 1915 and joined the ship on the morning of the 17th April, for her last ever voyage down the River Mersey. As a fireman, he was paid the monthly rate of £6-10s-0d., (£6.50p.), and £1-0s-0d., of this was advanced to him upon engagement. His previous ship had been the Turcoman.
Having completed her last ever east to west crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, the Lusitania left New York on the early afternoon of the 1st May 1915, for her return voyage to Liverpool. She never made it; however, for on the afternoon of the 7th May, she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine, U-20, off the Old Head of Kinsale, only about twelve to fourteen hours away from the safety of her home port.
Fireman Casey survived this action and having been picked up from the sea, was landed at Queenstown and eventually made his way back to Liverpool. There, at Cunard‘s offices at Water Street, he was officially discharged from the vessel and paid the balance or wages owing to him, which amounted to £4-14s-0d., (£4.70p.).
Despite his ordeal, he returned to the sea after the sinking and continued to serve in the Mercantile Marine for the rest of his working life.
Joseph and his family later moved to 36. Lawler Street, Bootle, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Joseph Casey died at Ormskirk County Hospital on the 29th December 1938, aged 74 years. He was buried in Ford Cemetery.
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Liverpool England Catholic Baptisms 1741 – 1919, Liverpool England Catholic Marriages 1754 – 1933, Liverpool England Catholic Burials 1871 Census of England, 1881 Census of England, 1901 Census of England, 1911 Census of England, 1921 Census of England, Liverpool England Crew Lists 1861 – 1919, Cunard Records, Liverpool Daily Post, PRO BT 100/345, Graham Maddocks, Mary Metcalf, Lawrence Evans, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.
Revised & Updated – 2nd January 2023.