Dean Road and Manor Road Cemetery Titanic Trail
James Moody was born at 17 Granville Road Scarborough on 21/8/1887, youngest son of John Henry Moody, a solicitor, and Evelyn Louise Lammin. James went to Roseberry House School, Scarborough, and left at the age of 14 to embark on his naval
career, joining the nautical training ship HMS Conway, moored on the River Mersey at Birkenhead.
In 1904 he joined the sailing vessel Boudicea. In a letter he wrote “I shall never forget the first time I went up with the second voyage apprentice and about ten men to take in the main sail. Oilskin and heavy boots on as well, and the mast swaying till the end nearly touched the water” In April 1911 at the age of 23 he passed his masters examinations at King Edward V11 Nautical College, London.
Moody’s first posting was to the RMS Oceanic II, part of the White Star line. On 26th March 1912 he was ordered to go to Belfast to board the Titanic and sail with her to Southampton where passengers would board for her maiden voyage. Sixth Officer Moody was given his own very small, cupboard-like cabin. Four days into the crossing, Moody was on duty on the bridge of the Titanic with 2nd Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller. At 11.35 pm lookout Frederick Fleet called the bridge. Moody answered the call and Fleet reported “Iceberg right ahead!” Moody relayed the message to First Officer William McAllister Murdoch. The collision occurred at 11.40 pm.
James Moody was placed in charge of loading lifeboats 13, 14 and 16, and helped many people to get into the lifeboats, including many children. Moody’s final actions were recalled by Geoffrey Marcus in The Maiden Voyage. “Chief Officer Wilde’s efforts to avert panic, maintain order and discipline and get the last of the boats loaded and lowered to the water were valiantly supported by the youngest of the officers, James Moody” James Moody stayed on the Titanic to the end, and was lost at sea.
A memorial to James Moody can be found in Manor Road Cemetery. Go through the tunnel from Dean Road cemetery, bear left, and at the rubbish bin, carry on for about 20 yards towards the iron bridge. The inscription is on the front of the Moody headstone, which is on the right, against the bushes.
Thank you very much to Councillor Norman Murphy for the use of his essay,
“Scarborough’s Titanic Connections.”