Who was Mrs Addie Dart Wells?

Mrs Addie Dart Wells was an English survivor of the Titanic disaster and a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship. Born on January 17, 1883, in Newlyn, Cornwall, England, Addie was 29 (twenty-nine) years old when she embarked on her journey to America with her two young children. Her remarkable story of survival and resilience in the face of tragedy has made her a notable figure in Titanic history.

Early Life and Family

Addie was born into a working-class family in Cornwall. Her father, William John Trevaskis, was a blacksmith who later became a fish packer, while her mother, Ann Barnes Laity (née Kneebone), worked as a milliner and dressmaker. Addie was one of six children, growing up alongside her siblings in the coastal town of Newlyn.

Family Background

Parents: William John Trevaskis (1849-1935) and Ann Barnes Laity (1845-1916)
Siblings:
- William John (b. 1872)
- George Marrack (1873-1874)
- George Marrack (1875-1892)
- Abednego Harvey (1877-1934)
- Henry Kneebone (1879-1945)

Marriage and Children

In the summer of 1907, Addie married Arthur Henry Wells, a railway conductor from London. The couple started their family shortly after:

Joan Wells (born 1908)
Ralph Lester Wells (born 1909)

The Journey to America

Why was Addie traveling on the Titanic?

Addie’s journey on the Titanic was part of a larger plan to reunite with her husband and start a new life in America. Arthur Wells had emigrated to Akron, Ohio in 1910, accompanied by Addie’s brother Abednego. Their address in Akron was 279 Arch Street.

Preparations for the voyage

Before embarking on this life-changing journey, Addie took several significant steps:

She sold most of her household furnishings
Retained only family linens and a few personal possessions
Some of the linens were inherited from her mother and grandmother

Titanic Booking Details

Ticket Number: 29103
Ticket Cost: £23
Class: Second Class
Original Booking: The family was initially booked on the Oceanic but was transferred to the Titanic due to coal strikes

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14, 1912, Addie and her children were asleep when the Titanic struck the iceberg. Her vivid account of that night provides a harrowing glimpse into the chaos and confusion aboard the sinking ship:

Awoken by a tremendous jolt
Heard commotion and was told to dress quickly
Found several familiar passages locked while trying to reach upper decks
Initially thought it was some sort of drill
Put into lifeboat 14 with her children

“An officer was shouting ‘Come on here, lively now, this way, women and children.’” - Addie Wells

Lifeboat Experience

Addie’s experience in the lifeboat was both crowded and traumatic:

Too many people to sit down
Held her children in her skirts to keep them dry
Heard faint cries and shots from the Titanic
Witnessed the ship’s sinking and heard screams of those still trapped onboard

This horrific experience would haunt Addie for years, causing recurring nightmares.

Life After the Titanic

Arrival in New York

Upon reaching New York, the Wells family:

Was met by Arthur Wells and Addie’s brother Abednego
Spent the night at the Star Hotel, 57 Clarkson Street
Spoke to newspaper reporters about her experience

Life in Akron

The family settled in Akron, Ohio, where they:

Lived at 613 Euclid Avenue initially
Were joined by Arthur’s younger brother William
Had two more children: Arthur Lovesy (1918-2008) and Charles Owen (1921-2002)

Later Life and Legacy

Addie remained an active member of her community in Akron:

Lived at 712 Patterson Avenue for many years
Member of the Irelawnee Chapter, Daughters of the British Empire
Member of the Canadian Legion Auxiliary

In her final years, Addie:

Lived at 876 Frederick Boulevard, Akron
Became a widow in 1953
Battled liver cancer

Addie Dart Wells passed away on May 28, 1954, at the age of 71 (seventy-one). She was laid to rest in Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron, leaving behind a legacy of survival and resilience that continues to fascinate Titanic historians and enthusiasts to this day.