On April 15th 1912 the Titanic hit an iceberg resulting in 1511 deaths - over two thirds of those onboard. Exploring the details of those rescued and lost can provide insight, not only into the disaster itself, but the families and crew caught up in the event, their social class and reasons for traveling.
A disaster across the social classes
Following the tragedy newspapers around the world published lists of those who had been on board. You can read one list published by the Belfast Telegraph here: Full list of those lost on the Titanic
The sailors say we have had a wonderful passage up to now. There has been no tempest. It is very nice weather but awfully windy and cold
Letter from Esther Hart, written aboard the Titanic
One of the first bodies to be recovered was that of Sidney Leslie Goodwin. Sidney was two years old and his true identity was only known for sure in 2007 when new technology allowed a positive identification to take place. The Goodwin family from the UK traveled on a third class ticket. Due to a twist of fate, the family's earlier passage was cancelled and they were transferred to the Titanic hoping to start a new life in New York state when news of employment in a new power station had reached Ferderick, Sidney's father. None of the family survived the disaster.
An Irish Connection - Annaghdown to Philadelphia
Dr. Arthur Jackson (Butler) Brewe was a Galwayman whose family lived in Drumgriffin, Co. Galway. He held a first class ticket (Ticket No. 112379 , 39 pounds and 12 shillings) and was working for a wealthy couple aboard the ship as he was well known for his ability to treat nervous conditions. He had taken a course at Jefferson Medical College and was associated with a Dr. S. Mitchell in the treatment of nervous diseases. He had joined the Titanic from Cherbourg on 10th April, having traveled through Rome, Naples, Florence, and Paris.
Dr. Brewe, believed to be pictured on the right (image published by the Irish Independent in May 1912)
His last letter was posted to his sister, Mrs Glynn, Waterview House, Turloughmore, Co. Galway immediately before he sailed, and according to one newspaper report, 'she little thought as she read his graphic pen-pictures of his tour that he was fast approaching his doom'. Dr. Brewe was lost in the sinking of the ship and his body was never recovered. He was aged 45 at the time of his death. During his Africa trip he was pictured in Egypt where a fellow passenger (either Emma Bucknell or perhaps Margaret Brown, possibly pictured above), was said to have had a premonition about the event, but her concerns were dismissed as those of a nervous traveler.
She said she feared boarding the ship; she had evil forebodings that something might happen. We laughed at her premonitions, and shortly afterwards sought our quarters
It is thought that Arthur was the eldest child of Joseph Butler and Alice Jackson of Winterfield House, Annaghdown, Co. Galway born c.1865 and had a number of siblings including Annisley, Benjamin, Mary, Elizabeth, George, Burton and Rowland. Arthur went to school in Clongowes College between 1881 and 1886 and later attended Trinity College. In July 1898 he was naturlised and married Annie Constance Gregory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. By 1905 Arthur had undertaken a specialism in neurology and was well renowned amongst the wealthy in Philadelphia at that time.
Winterfield House in the 1840s, home of Arthur Jackson Brewe
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