Michael John Tyrrell had his roots firmly in Co Wicklow. He was born in Arklow on 2 July 1872, son of a Master Mariner. Following family tradition, Michael became a mariner with the issuing of his Ship Pilot’s Licence on 27 September 1900. Michael married Edith Emilie Warley in 1901 in Bray, and moved to Oxford Road, Ranelagh.
On 1 March 1912 Michael became Captain of the SS Adela. The highly experienced Captain was in charge when his ship was torpedoed. Eight crew members managed to get into a lifeboat, but without oars. They spent many hours drifting in rough seas, during which time three men were washed overboard and a further four died of exposure, leaving Captain Michael as the sole survivor. A newspaper report attributed this to him being a ‘typical master mariner, a man of powerful physique’.
This tragic event must have greatly affected Michael; however he resumed duties as Captain, this time of the SS Blackrock another Tedcastle vessel. Michael’s Pilot Licence was renewed annually up to 30 June 1927.
“Captain Michael John Tyrrell of Ranelagh, formerly of British & Irish Steam Packet Co. died 15 June 1939 at Sir Patrick Dunn’s Hospital and following a large funeral, was laid to rest in Mount Jerome Cemetery.”
Below an image of Captain Tyrrell’s pilot licence.