One hundred years ago today, the R.M.S. Titanic set sail from England to begin its journey to New York City on April 15th. On April 14th, at 11:40 PM, Titanic struck an iceberg with the distinction of being one of the worst maritime disasters of all time when the vessel sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada at 2:20 AM, the next morning. Only 705 people survived and over 1500 perished in the icy cold waters.
I attended an exhibit yesterday at Widener University to commemorate the historic event. Upon entering the gallery, you were given a boarding pass of one of the passengers. It wasn’t until the end of the exhibit that each of us was able to find if our passenger survived or perished.
The incredible story behind my passenger, Lucile Carter, aged 14 yrs.old, led me on an journey that I had to see to the end. Listed on the Lucile’s boarding pass, Ticket # 113760, was this passenger fact: “Among her passions was a love for animals. She had taken her dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with her on the family trip.” Actual photo (below) of Lucile’s dog who perished. I couldn’t believe the irony of receiving this boarding pass which was chosen for me.
This wasn’t the only coincidence I came across with Lucile. She traveled with her brother, William, aged 11, who brought his Airedale (who also perished), mother, Lucile and father William. The family traveled in first class.
As part of the exhibit, all 12 dogs were showcased that traveled on the Titanic. Only three survived. From my understanding, the women wrapped them in blankets as they stepped into the life boats.
One story that struck me is of a woman, Anne Elizabeth Isham, who refused to leave the ship without her Great Dane. And she didn’t. She was later found in the icy waters holding onto her Great Dane. Both perished.
In the end, Lucile survived as she, her brother and mother entered lifeboat 4 with the help of their father, William. He, along with George Widener and two other men, saved their families.William made it to collapsible lifeboat C but the other men decided to stay on the liner where they all perished.
The story doesn’t end for me at this point. As I googled Lucile’s name on my android phone, I found out an interesting fact. A fact that has eluded a couple of local newspapers.
If you notice the mother and daughter share the same name as do the father and son. So the information was a bit confusing at first. A “Lucile Carter” is buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Birdsboro, Berks County, PA.
On the way home from this trip, I had to stop and find her grave. Could this be “my passenger”? As I wandered about the cemetery, I wasn’t able to find her grave.
Upon further research, I found it was the mother who was buried at this cemetery. Her name was now Lucile (Polk) Brooke. The mother divorced William and remarried George Brooke. Mr. Brooke is the one who had roots in Berks County.
I paid my respects.
What a twised tale of events I encountered, with the boarding pass of one of the surviving passengers of the Titanic. Not only did “my” passenger have a similar passion for animals, her family has ties to Berks County.
Lucile Carter, the daughter (my passenger), is buried in Valley Forge Memorial Park.
May all of the passengers of the R.M.S. Titanic Rest in Peace.