The sinking of the magnificent RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, was a defining event of the first half of the 20th century and continues to fascinate the world.
Out of over 2,200 passengers on board, approximately 700 people lived to talk about the fatal end of the ship. Though numerous survivors vanished into obscurity or were hesitant to discuss their experience, others were willing to share their stories of the wreck. Here is a list of five survivors, whose stories will startle you.
Elizabeth Shutes
Elizabeth Shutes was on board the Titanic and was 40 years old at that time. She was serving as a family governess on the ship. Shutes was among the passengers who were immediately ordered to the Sun Deck after the ship hit the iceberg. She was on a lifeboat with men who knew nothing about the position of the stars and the situation was very chaotic until they were rescued by Carpathia. Shutes later reflected on "needless luxuries" aboard Titanic, with very little attention on the safety features and lifeboats.
Charlotte Collyer
Only the fortunate passengers were picked up by Carpathia and after arriving in New York City, they began a frantic search for their loved ones. Charlotte Collyer, a 31-year-old second-class passenger was safe with her young daughter but a panicked search for her husband Harvey revealed the news of his death.
Rhoda Abbott
Rhoda Abbott with her two teenage sons was returning to America. When the ship hit the iceberg, the family managed to reach the boat deck, but her boys at 13 and 16 would be considered too old for the lifeboats that were taking in women and children only. Rhoda stepped back to stay with her sons but at the time the lifeboats were being lowered, they jumped off the deck. She managed to get into Collapsible A, but her beloved sons were lost. Rhoda could never recover from the loss of her sons and died in 1946, poor and alone.
Eva Hart
Eva Hart was a 7-year-old kid at the time of the Titanic disaster. She was a second-class passenger with her parents, and in the tragedy, she lost her father. Eva went on to live a vibrant life and often spoke about her quivering experience.
Jack Thayer
Jack Thayer belonged to an upper-class family and was a first-class passenger of the Titanic. He was 17 years old and was returning with his parents from a trip to Paris. Thayer got separated from his parents during the confusion following the collision of the ship with the iceberg. Thayer had jumped off the rail and fell in the icy water. He was able to climb on top of Collapsible B, a lifeboat that had ended up in the water upside down. Thayer was rescued by Carpathia, where he was reunited with his mother but his father could not be saved.
Who do you think was the luckiest survivor of the wreck?
