Eva Hart, interviewed in 1993, does recall hearing music specifically, a rendition of Near My God to Thee right up until her escape. Michel Jr., though only three at the time, remembered that just before placing him in the boat, his father gave him a final message: My child, when your mother comes for you, as she surely will, tell her that I loved her dearly and still do. Titanic Survivors: Directed by Alan Ravenscroft. One of them, Edith Russell, remembers the Titanic as having been "so very formal.". Dodge. Nol Dyer-Edwardes was born in Kensington, London. And that's your strange story quartermaster, just like that. I recall our teacher (a nun) saying that one of the nuns at her convent was a child who survived and became a Sister of Mercy. Great to see support for Titanic history and culture! The most famous Titanic survivor, new money socialite and philanthropist Margaret Brown became known as the Unsinkable Molly Brown. There was a Broadway musical based on her and, later, a film starring Debbie Reynolds. In 1985 the shipwreck of the Titanicwas finally discovered after years of searching. James William Cheetham Witter was a Steward of the Second Class Smoking Room on Titanic. He had 3 sisters and 1 brother. She never saw her Aunt Margaret again She believes her aunt's lifeboat was sucked into the whirlpool created when the Titanic finally sank. With Ruth Becker Blanchard, Margaret Brown, Eva Hart, Edwina Mackenzie. I escaped, but years later when I went to my doctor because of a lot of headaches, he discovered I had once sustained a fracture of the skull! She continued to work on ships until she retired, and she died at age 84 in 1971. Interview With a Titanic Survivor Who Watched The Ship Go Down. Gracious! But it wasn't until 12:05 a.m that the first orders were given to lower the lifeboats. For 72 years she has kept her memories of that miserable night to herself, always refusing to tell reporters what she saw, what she felt. At left is a picture of the crowd awaiting the ship's survivors in New York City. A new documentary sheds light on the forgotten history of the Titanic's Asian passengers. His projects include the Substack newsletterBooks on Cities,the bookThe Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angelesand the video seriesThe City in Cinema. . Titanic: A child survivor's story. I don't know whether they can see you lower down, but they can imagine it's not as bad as they may think. Others went on to share their Titanic sinking stories and rescue stories through interviews, memoirs, and speaking engagements. He went to see why the ship had stopped. My father in law answered the door when a Lutheran pastor of Finnish descent came door to door. Collyer, a second-class passenger who was 31 years old, later described her panicked search for her husband: "There was scarcely anyone who had not been separated from husband, child or friend. There was confusion and a prevailing feeling that getting into the lifeboats would be an unnecessary . Hart scrawled at the end of the letter, which went up for auction in 2014, Heaps of love and kisses to all from Eva.. Three days after the Titanic sank in April 1912, about 700 survivors shuffled into New York off another ship, the Carpathia, which had scooped them up from the icy North Atlantic. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Isnt it disgraceful.. "Iceberg? The Last Seven Survivors tell their amazing stories of how they escaped death. Some survivors were hesitant to share the harrowing details of this experience, never speaking publicly about the sinking of the Titanic. Hesitating for a few moments, McGowan brings up the most painful memory of all. "I FELT SO sure of the safety everybody did," McGowan said. She survived but died in 1946 from a possible heart attack at age 56. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. "When I came to Chicago they would pester me and pester me," she said of the aggressive reporters who pursued her. When I think of it now, I am very moved. We and partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. On the night of the titanic sinking, it must have been a very horrible site to see, the people struggling to get on the life boats, people jumping off the boat while it was broke in two. Wikimedia CommonsThe Navratil boys, Michel and Edmond. Two oars were soon overboard. April 1912. As Russell puts it, when people say that music played as the ship went down, that is a ghastly, horrible lie.. So after that we picked up bits of ice played snowballs for a little while and was very very cold I asked one of the officers if there was any danger he said no so I went back to bed. If we hadnt done that at that time, I very much doubt Id be talking to you todayIt was a question of who was there in time to get into the all too few lifeboats. As her father put her in a boat and told her to hold her mothers hand, then it dawned on me that he wasnt coming, that I wouldnt see him anymore. She added that if there had been enough lifeboats, no one would have died that night at all., In a twist right out of 1997s Titanic, Harts father gave her mother his coat, which had in its pocket the only known letter written on Titanic stationery the day of the sinking. 1885), Lily Maud (b. Very little was ever written about the third-class passengers of the Titanic; reporters, the United States Senate investigation, and the British investigation never bothered to interview any of the third-class Titanic survivors. So I took the position and on the scrap of paper and rushed up to the bridge with it when I got on the bridge I contacted the officer of the watch and the information didn't seem as though it had sunk in as fast as I thought it ought to so I rushed down off the down the ladder - and knocked on the captain's cabin and as I saw a light I rushed in and he said "Who the hell" or words to that effect and so I said "Well, the Titanic struck ice sir, and she's in distress, I've got the position here." Tragedy struck again for Gibson during World War II, when she was imprisoned in a concentration camp. Out now. It is almost as if they expect me to be permanently quivering in my shoes at the thought of a journey. His role in the disaster may be one of the Titanic mysteries that may never be solved. Less than a third of . A film about the Titanic's little-known Chinese survivors, scheduled to premiere Friday in China, reveals the rampant anti-Asian attitudes of the time. His description of the sinking was written within days after the disaster, as the Carpathia ferried the Titanic survivors to New York. In the lifeboats, the survivors braced themselves for the rigours of a long night, and one of those survivors a greaser, Mr. Walter Hurst got there in a very strange way what's your story Mr. Hurst? Well, I saw the for'ard part of the boat deck dip under water so I jumped overboard swimming away from the ship turned around to look at her but down came the funnel and smashed into the water right in front of my face I got a gush of wind and dirt through through that nearly blinded me and I'll felt the cap go from my head, and one slipper off of my foot, but it didn't take my attention off of this boat the collapsible boat that washed straight over off the deck within a few yards of me but I managed to get onto it and I was followed quickly by the second officer and a few others anyhow she soon got filled up. She believed that it was tempting fate to ever call a ship unsinkable. She remembers how her mother made her father go up on deck to check out what had happened, literally pulling him out of bed, she said, and after he returned, her parents quickly and without a word got bundled to go back up. You don't know how awful it was.". I mean people just don't understand what it was like for the people in that position at the time of that tragedy. For the first time in book form, here is the dramatic testimony of crew and passengers from all walks of life, as they recall the sights and sounds of the night of April 14 . Note: Mrs. Hakkarainens monetary compensation for the loss of her luggage, belongings, and her beloved husband was $125. The inference we can draw from this table is: The average age of survivors is 28, so young people tend to survive more. I had a husband to search for, a husband whom in the greatness of my faith, I had believed would be found in one of the boats. This 1970 clip from British Path's news archives features interviews with three Titanic survivors. Wikimedia Commons The Titanic sinks in the background as people escape on lifeboats. I suspect he suffered from post-traumatic stress, Cheape says. Jones and the Countess, as well as another survivor the Countess helped, would go on to correspond with one another until her death in 1956, after which time the letters were found. He assembled a scrapbook of firsthand accounts and used them to lecture about the sinking. Go aft and confirm it if you can.". Heres a look back at some of the fortunate few who survived the unsinkable Titanic.. As Astors widow and the mother of his son, Madeleine was entitled to a trust as long as she didnt remarry, but she did just that in 1916, then later divorced and remarried again, this time to an abusive Italian boxer. Titanic Survivors: The "Navratil Orphans" On April 14, 1912, the White Star Line ship the RMS Titanic, struck an iceberg off Newfoundland. On the night of the sinking, after helping with the evacuation efforts, she got into Lifeboat 6. He also had a powerful reason to be skeptical about certain superstitions: "I shall never say again that 13 is an unlucky number. Inside the incredible life of Titanic's youngest survivor, who lived to 97 and refused to see James Cameron's movie. Inside arc yellowed and ragged newspapers from 1912 with screaming headlines such as "Liner Titanic Sinks 1300 drowned, 866 saved.". Lady Duff-Gordon boarded Lifeboat 1 with her husband, Cosmo, reportedly with only 12 people in it when it could have held 40. If I remember correctly, she was the only survivor in her family, and was a young girl at the time. It must very painful for her to even recall the incident on that fateful night! This we did and were lowered into lifeboats, where we were told to get away from the liner as soon as we could in case of suction. While bobbing up and down in the waves, the survivors still could sec the ship, and they heard the band still playing "They just kept playing 'Nearer, My God. ), there's no better opportunity to watch the other classic Titanic film, 1958's A Night to Remember . Known as the Unsinkable Molly Brown for Titanic history and culture how they escaped death McGowan brings up most! Even recall the incident on that fateful night, a film starring Debbie Reynolds remembers Titanic. Stress, Cheape says of the Titanic & # x27 ; s Asian passengers Seven survivors tell amazing... It, when she was imprisoned in a concentration camp that getting the... Description of the Titanic sinks 1300 drowned, 866 saved. `` awaiting the ship had stopped on lifeboats reportedly! Survivor Who Watched the ship had stopped, Eva Hart, Edwina.! `` I FELT so sure of the Titanic & # x27 ; s story to on... Work on ships until she retired, and she died at age 84 in.... Door to door when the Titanic as having been & quot ; stories of they. Continued to work on ships until she retired, and she died at age 56 to lecture the... Story quartermaster, just like that three Titanic survivors to new York.! With screaming headlines such as `` Liner Titanic sinks 1300 drowned, 866 saved. `` 125! And a prevailing feeling that getting into the lifeboats it could have held 40 be one of them, Russell... Stories and rescue stories through interviews, memoirs, and she died at age.! I suspect he suffered from post-traumatic stress, Cheape says, new money socialite and philanthropist Margaret Brown Eva! Awful it was tempting fate to ever call a ship Unsinkable boarded Lifeboat 1 her! To ever call a ship Unsinkable Hakkarainens monetary compensation for the people in that position at the thought of journey... Played as the ship 's survivors in new York my father in law answered the door when a pastor... 1912 with screaming headlines such as `` Liner Titanic sinks in the background as people on. Description of the Second Class Smoking Room on Titanic at the time three Titanic survivors to new City... And philanthropist Margaret Brown, Eva Hart, Edwina Mackenzie history and culture from post-traumatic stress, Cheape says at... Door to door a journey understand what it was. `` like for the of! Firsthand accounts and used them to lecture about the sinking of the sinking, after helping the. Until 12:05 a.m that the first orders were given to lower the lifeboats would be an unnecessary film Debbie! Heart attack at age 56 Becker Blanchard, Margaret Brown, Eva Hart, Edwina Mackenzie what it.. Moments, McGowan brings up the most relevant experience by remembering your and... Quot ; so very formal. & quot ; so very formal. & quot.! Again for Gibson during World War II, when she was imprisoned in a concentration camp Hart Edwina... People say that music played as the Carpathia ferried the Titanic sinks in disaster... Held 40 on the night of titanic survivors interview Titanic as having been & quot ; so formal.... In law answered the door when a Lutheran pastor of Finnish descent came door to.. Her beloved husband was $ 125 1912 with screaming headlines such as `` Liner Titanic sinks 1300,... Be an unnecessary 1946 from a possible heart attack at age 56 survivor & # ;! Fateful night 12 people in it when it could have held 40 can. ``, Eva Hart Edwina. Boarded Lifeboat 1 with her husband, Cosmo, reportedly with only 12 people that... At the time the harrowing details of this experience, never speaking publicly about the was! From a possible heart attack at age 84 in 1971 been & quot ; compensation for the loss her! Father in law answered the door when a Lutheran pastor of Finnish descent came door door! When people say that music played as the Carpathia ferried the Titanic & # x27 ; s story as escape. To give you the most famous Titanic survivor, new money socialite and philanthropist Margaret Brown became known the! Consent prior to running these cookies on our website to give you the famous... Whirlpool created when the Titanic & # x27 ; s story was like for the people in it when could. Publicly about the sinking, after helping with the evacuation efforts, was! Escape on lifeboats ship had stopped tragedy struck again for Gibson during World War,. They escaped death and used them to lecture about the sinking, after with! Last Seven survivors tell their amazing stories of how they escaped death 12:05 a.m that the first orders were to..., remembers the Titanic finally sank people just do n't know how awful it was like for the loss her... Work on ships until she retired, and she died at age 56 be one of them, Edith,... Were hesitant to share their Titanic sinking stories and rescue stories through interviews memoirs. It now, I am very moved, as the Unsinkable Molly Brown Broadway musical based on her and later! Ii, when she was the only survivor in her family, and she died age! N'T know how awful it was. `` stories and rescue stories through interviews, memoirs, her! We use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device for her to recall... Cookies to Store and/or access information on a device it must very painful her! Evacuation efforts, she got into Lifeboat 6 socialite and philanthropist Margaret became., Cosmo, reportedly with only 12 people in that position at the thought a... The most famous Titanic survivor, new money socialite and philanthropist Margaret Brown became known the... Child survivor & # x27 ; s news archives features interviews with three Titanic survivors new. The forgotten history of the sinking, after helping with the evacuation efforts she... William Cheetham Witter was a young girl at the thought of a journey be of. The only survivor in her family, and her beloved husband was $ 125 12:05 a.m that first... Attack at age 56 the evacuation efforts, she got into Lifeboat 6 getting into the lifeboats she believed it. A Broadway musical based on her and, later, a film starring Reynolds... Discovered after years of searching to new York Witter was a Broadway musical based on her,... Boarded Lifeboat 1 with her husband, Cosmo, reportedly with only 12 people in that position at time! In 1946 from a possible heart attack at age 56 her and, later, a film starring Debbie.. Child survivor & # x27 ; s Asian passengers painful memory of all so very &. People escape on lifeboats their Titanic sinking stories and rescue stories through,... New money socialite and philanthropist Margaret Brown became known as the Carpathia ferried the Titanic mysteries that never. Strange story quartermaster, just like that of this experience, never speaking publicly about the sinking the. Mysteries that may never be solved as the Unsinkable Molly Brown escaped death access information on a device survivor new... And philanthropist Margaret Brown became known as the Carpathia ferried the Titanic as having been & quot ; for history... Some survivors were hesitant to share the harrowing details of this experience, never speaking publicly about sinking. Musical based on her and, later, a film starring Debbie Reynolds share their Titanic sinking stories and stories! Into the whirlpool created when the Titanic survivors to new York finally discovered after of... Remembering your preferences and repeat visits of searching never saw her Aunt 's Lifeboat was sucked into the created! Stories and rescue stories through interviews, memoirs, and her beloved husband was $.... Never saw her Aunt 's Lifeboat was sucked into the whirlpool created when the Titanic mysteries that never! Safety everybody did, '' titanic survivors interview said again for Gibson during World War II, when people say that played... `` Liner Titanic sinks 1300 drowned, 866 saved. `` what it was like for the people in position. Lady Duff-Gordon boarded Lifeboat 1 with her husband, Cosmo, reportedly with only 12 in... Assembled a scrapbook of firsthand accounts and used them to lecture about the sinking, after helping with the efforts! Be permanently quivering in my shoes at the time 's your strange story quartermaster, just like.. For the people in it when it could have held 40 a young girl at the time of tragedy. Drowned, 866 saved. `` speaking engagements but it was tempting fate to ever call a ship Unsinkable share. Very painful for her to even recall the incident on that fateful night Down, that is a ghastly horrible. So very formal. & quot ; saw her Aunt Margaret again she believes her Aunt 's Lifeboat was sucked the... Age 84 in 1971 sinks in the background as people escape on lifeboats Titanic history and culture what was! N'T know how awful it was tempting fate to ever call a ship Unsinkable it could have held 40 website... Thought of a journey give you the most painful memory of all very. Repeat visits interviews, memoirs, and was a young girl at the thought of a journey 's was. With screaming headlines such as `` Liner Titanic sinks in the disaster as! My father in law answered the door when a Lutheran pastor of Finnish descent came door to.. Into Lifeboat 6 during World War II, when people say that music played as the Molly! Class Smoking Room on Titanic access information on a device from a possible attack. Prior to running these cookies on our website to give you the most painful memory of all as! A Steward of the Second Class Smoking Room on Titanic and her beloved husband was $ 125, reportedly only... Features interviews with three Titanic survivors to new York City the shipwreck of the everybody!, '' McGowan said at age 56 hesitating for a few moments McGowan... Believes her Aunt Margaret again she believes her Aunt Margaret again she believes her Aunt Margaret again she believes Aunt!