J. B. Ismay  

Joseph Bruce Ismay was born at Enfield House, Great Crosby on December 12th 1862. He was the eldest son of Thomas Henry Ismay and the former Margaret Bruce.  



Joseph BruceIsmay

Thomas Ismay had begun the White Star Line, officially known as the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company Limited in 1867. It was managed by the firm of Ismay, Imrie and Company, and upon his death on 23rd November 1899 its control passed to 36 year old Bruce Ismay.  

1st January 1900: Bruce Ismay decided to appoint Harold Arthur Sanderson as a partner. He was an old friend who had been the company's general manager for the past five years. Under Bruce Ismay's leadership, with Sanderson's support and assistance, the White Star Line flourished.  

Ismay also presided over White Star's sale to the American-controlled International Mercantile Marine. In essence, White Star became an American-owned company on 1st January 1904. At Morgan's request, J. Bruce Ismay assumed the chairmanship of International Mercantile Marine, which he effectively managed along with his own company's operations.

With the company's success after a few years, J. Bruce Ismay decided to retire as I.M.M. chairman, to devote more time to his own company and to personal pursuits. In Autumn 1911, with an exchange of letters, Bruce Ismay and Harold Sanderson reached an understanding that Ismay was to retire at the end of 1912 and that Sanderson would head I.M.M..  

A letter dated 26th February 1912 was sent to J. P. Morgan and Company at New York, citing June 1913 as the date of Ismay's retirement and Sanderson's succession as chairman.   In April 1912, Ismay's presence aboard Titanic was for two reasons: to observe the liner on her maiden voyage and also to visit the I.M.M. office in New York to discuss details of his forthcoming retirement.  

After the sinking of Titanic, Ismay wished to remain chairman of White Star but the Americans blocked his wish. However, he did remain a member of I.M.M.'s British committee until he resigned form this post in 1916.   After leaving I.M.M. and White Star, Ismay continued as an active board member with numerous companies, particularly the London & North Western Railway. When that firm became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, Bruce Ismay was asked repeatedly to be the new system's chairman. But he always refused, never again wanting to be in a position of public prominence.  

Following World War 1 he sold Sandheys, his country home near Liverpool. Nonetheless, he still spent time in the city attending company board meetings.   During the 1920's, J. B. Ismay spent most of his leisure time at his Irish estate, The Lodge at Costelloe, County Galway on Ireland's west coast.  

Although Bruce Ismay did not have an active role in his business, he did not become a recluse. His London home (15 Hill Street, Berkely Square) became a meeting place for family and friends. Before his eyesight began to fail he spent many seasons at a rented lodge near Gleneagles in Scotland where he participated in two of his favourite sports- shooting and fishing.  

When his 3 children - Margaret, Tom and Evelyn - married, Ismay spent some time with his grandchildren. The Lodge at Costelloe was burnt by a mysterious fire and Bruce took an active interest in re-building and re-decorating the premises.  

In 1934 Bruce Ismay retired from active business life. The shipping company his father had founded, and whose fortunes he, himself, had helped to ensure, had merged with its great rival, the Cunard Line.  

Late in 1936, a circulatory illness forced the amputation of Bruce Ismay's right leg. He was confined to a wheelchair, and could only walk with the aid of crutches. He was still able to spend the summer of 1937 at a house in the country, returning to his Hill Street home in early Autumn.  

On 14th October 1937, Bruce Ismay suffered a severe stroke and died three days later.