Chief Engineer: Lieutenant-Commander Joseph Bell, RNR, MN.

(1861-1912)

Joseph Bell was born in Maryport, Cumberland in May 1861 and educated in Carlisle.

He was apprenticeship served at Robert Stephenson & Co., Newcastle upon Tyne and commenced seagoing career in 1883 with the Lamport & Holt Line of Liverpool.

He Joined White Star Line in 1885 and served on many vessels trading on the company`s New Zealand and New York services. Promoted to Chief Engineer on the Coptic at the age of 30 years, he served aboard the Olympic before being transferred to the Titanic and stood-by the ship during building in Belfast.

Bell was a member of the Institute of Marine Engineers and a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve. He Lived at 1 Belvidere Road, Great Crosby, Liverpool but had a temporary address in Southampton.

He left a widow (Maud) and four children, two boys and two girls; the eldest boy, 16.5 years old, had recently commenced an apprenticeship at Harland & Wolff and accompanied his father aboard Titanic when the ship moved from Belfast to Southampton. His estate at death was worth £6,457 2s 10d {£6,457 14p}. There is a memorial plaque to Joseph Bell in Saint Faith`s church, Great Crosby, where he worshipped with his family.



Senior Second Engineer: Lieutenant W.E. Farquharson, RNR, MN.

(1873-1912)

Farquharson was born in 1873. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Higginson of Liverpool and then joined the Anglo-American Tool Company.

He went to sea at the age of 22 years initially with Johnson & Co. Ltd and then aboard ships owned by John Markwood of Liverpool.

Farquharson joined White Star in 1900 as assistant second engineer aboard the RMS Teutonic later transferring to the RMS Seuvic where he served for over three years before moving to the Majestic as junior second engineer.

Later held the rank of senior second engineer aboard the Teutonic and the Oceanic. Stood-by the Titanic during the latter stages of her construction, and held the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Reserve.

He lived at 90 Wilton Avenue, Southampton and left a widow (Martha) and three children. His estate was valued at £428 7s.


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