Mr.
OWEN HILL KENAN, Saloon Class Passenger
image:
courtesy Tom Kenan
Owen Kenan, 42, was born to James and Annie Kenan in Dupin County,
North Carolina, United States on 23 May 1872. His cousin Mary was
the wife of Henry Flagler of the Flagler Railroad. Kenan was
educated at Horner's Military Academy, Oxford, NC and graduated from
the College of Physician's and Surgeons. An avid collector of
art, he stored in his collections in his various homes in Paris,
France; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Florida.
In the spring of 1915, Kenan needed to close his apartment and escort
his niece Louise back to the United States. He booked the Lusitania
for his sailing and was in cabin B-22.
After the ship was torpedoed on 7 May, Kenan stood with Alfred Vanderbilt on the port side of
the Boat
Deck by the verandah café. When the water came up to meet
them,
Kenan and Vanderbilt's valet, Ronald Denyer jumped overboard.
Kenan went down and down, but an air bubble from the ship sent
him back to the surface.
The
watch Owen Kenan had when he was on the Lusitania.
Tom Kenan collection.
He remained hosptialized for awhile and finally returned home a few
months later.
For his work in France with the Ambulance Corps, Kenan received the
Croix de Guerre. Owen Kenan passed away July 9, 1963.
Contributors:
Tom Kenan
Mike Poirier
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