Richard McCabe was born in Barlow Street, Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, on the 19th September 1893, the son of Andrew and Mary McCabe (née Cross). Richard was the second youngest of seven children and his father was a cobbler.
Richard was educated at St. John’s Roman Catholic School, Walton and lived with his brother Andrew and his sister-in-law, Catherine, at 34, Lancaster Street, Everton, Liverpool.
He was an excellent swimmer and had won medals for his prowess in it, before he went to sea as a professional seaman. On the 12th April 1915, he signed on at Liverpool, as a fireman in the Engineering Department on board the Lusitania, at a monthly rate of pay of £6-10s.-0d, (£6.50p.). His previous ship had been the Cunarder Caronia. He reported for duty on the morning of the 17th April, for the Lusitania’s last sailing from England and he was killed when she was sunk.
His brother Andrew 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 his brother, who was off watch, went below to find him. In the event, they both perished. Richard McCabe, whose ability to swim very well didn’t help him at all, was aged 21 years.
His body was not recovered and identified after the sinking and as a result, he is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill, London.
The Cunard Steam Ship Company paid his wages until the 8th May, like all other crew members and eventually the balance of money owing to him, £5, was sent to his surviving relatives.
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Liverpool England Catholic Baptisms 1741 – 1919, 1901 Census of England, 1911 Census of England, Cunard Records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, PRO BT 100/345, PRO BT 334, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, 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.