Mr Alfred James Jacob Eagle was born at Ingwell Cottage on Priory Road in St Denys, South Stoneham, Hampshire, England on 11 June 1884.
He was the son of a German father, Jacob Eagle (b. circa 1848), a ship's steward, and Ellen Best (b. circa 1851), a native of Southampton who had married in that city in 1864.
One of a dozen children, Alfred's known siblings were: Lucy Ellen (1864-1868), Jacob Edwin (1866-1868), Edwin William John (1869-1872), Daisy Louise (1873-1928, later Mrs Frank Daniel Rastrick), Ernest Edward (1875-1956), Edgar Charles (1977-1945), Bertram George (1879-1945), Florence Ethel (b. 1881), Frank Edwin (1886-1954) and Nelly Evelyn (b. 1888).
On the 1891 census Alfred and his family were shown living at 57 Priory Road, Southampton when his father was still a ship's steward. By the time of the 1901 census the family had shifted to 79 Lodge Road, Portswood, Southampton and young Alfred is described as a page boy. The 1911 census shows that the family had again relocated, this time to 13 Lyon Street and his mother was by then a widow, Eagle's father Jacob having died in 1906. Alfred was then described as an unmarried seaman.
When Alfred signed on to the Titanic he gave his address as 13 Lyon Street, Southampton. His previous ship had been the Oceanic and as a trimmer he could expect to receive wage of £5, 10s per month.
Alfred Eagle was lost in the Titanic disaster and his body, if recovered, was never identified.
His mother Ellen passed away in Southampton whilst many of his siblings remained in the same area.
Comment and discuss
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On the crew listing there is an A J EAGLE, (trimmer). Can anyone tell me what a trimmer did, and does anyone have any more info regarding this man? Thanks, M
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Hallo, Mark. His name was Alfred James Eagle, born in Surrey. At the time he signed on for Titanic he gave his age as 27 and was living at 13, Lyon Street, Southampton. He died in the sinking and his body was not among those recovered and identified. The Titanic Relief Fund provided a weekly allowance for his mother Ellen, so presumably he was unmarried. Trimmers worked in the boiler rooms, levelling the coal in the bunkers and bringing it to the firemen ready for use. This was very hard work, done in 4-hour shifts.
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Many thanks for your info Bob - very kind of you. And where do you get all of the info re relief fund etc? Thanks, M
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Mark - Here is a bit more: Eagle, A. J. Lived at 13 Lyon Street, St. Marys, Southampton, Occupation - Trimmer. 27 years old. (Born in Surrey). (From the Mansion House Relief Fund Booklet 1913). Number 96. Eagle, Ellen, Mother, received 17/6 per week as class G dependent. (From the Titanic Relief Fund Minute Book number 2, Southampton Area) Date December 22nd 1913. Case number C96. That an application for additional relief for a grandchild be disallowed. (From The Brighton Argus, 20 April, 1912). Sussex and the Disaster Worthing Associations Among the crew of the Titanic was a young man named Crosby (sic) a nephew of Mrs. Sole, of Langleigh, Ham-road, Worthing, who was one of the Turkish bath attendants on the liner. Another member of the crew was Mr. A. D. Eagle, a nephew of Mr. E. Best, of Lyndhurst Road, Worthing. The name of neither of them has so far appeared among the list of survivors. Mrs. Gosling and Mrs. Guy Michell are organising a special matinee performance at...
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