The Ismay Line by Wilton J. Oldham

Author:Wilton J. Oldham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Titanic, White Star Line, Bruce Ismay, shipping, Cunard
ISBN: 9781909183247
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2013
Published: 2013-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

T H Ismay receiving the Freedom of the City of Belfast, 1899. J Bruce Ismay is standing behind his father

After they returned to Liverpool the attacks continued again and the doctors now thought that he had gall stones, as “the gall duct was considerably enlarged”. He was, however, able to attend a meeting of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company in May and in June he travelled to London again to attend meetings of the LNWR. In July he and his family crossed to Belfast to see the Oceanic nearly completed and for Mr Ismay to receive the Freedom of the City of Belfast. But in August he collapsed again, just as the Oceanic was due to appear in the Mersey. So from his wife’s diaries we have the picture of the founder of the White Star Line lying desperately ill at Dawpool as his latest magnificent vessel sets out on her maiden voyage, on which he had so much wanted to go.

It was decided he was not well enough to go to America in the Oceanic, but on August 26 th he insisted on going aboard her; he stayed three quarters of an hour and was very pleased with her, but the effort took its toll as by August 28 th he was obviously much worse. His wife was so worried that she asked for a specialist of the liver, as this appeared to be the main trouble. They sent for Mr Mayo Robson of Leeds. He arrived at midnight and after examining the patient said that an operation would be necessary, but that it could only be done with cocaine. Mr Ismay agreed to this and the operation was performed on August 31 st at his own home. The surgeon found that a large abscess had formed in the gall-duct, but the operation was considered to be a success. His two elder sons came and stayed in the house until it was all over.

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