Titanic Survivors: Archibald Gracie IV
Wikimedia CommonsArchibald Gracie, Titanic survivor.
Archibald Gracie IV, a wealthy American passenger who had made himself popular on the Titanic with his anecdotes and friendly manners, was an unsung hero of the disaster.
He felt the ship’s collision with the iceberg and knew something was wrong when he ventured up on deck: the engines were no longer running, and the ship was beginning to lean slightly toward the waterline.
He rushed below deck to grab his life vest, then escorted all the women and children he encountered to the lifeboats, where he brought them blankets for the journey.
He stayed on the sinking Titanic, helping Charles Lightoller fill the boats with women and children until every lifeboat had departed. He then launched the collapsible boats with the remaining crew.
Gracie’s collapsible, however, overturned almost immediately, which meant that he and several other men had to hold onto its slick underside for the entire night lest they slip entirely into the frigid waters. Several men died in that very manner, but Gracie was able to survive.
Unfortunately, his reprieve was brief. His health had not been strong prior to the ship’s sinking, and the long night on Collapsible B resulted in severe hypothermia. He died just eight months after the Titanic went down, leaving behind one of the most complete descriptions of the events of the sinking currently available.
Next, have a look at 28 incredible Titanic photos you’ve never seen before. Then, discover Titanic facts that’ll leave you astounded.
