Who was Albert Adrian Dick?

Mr. Albert Adrian Dick, known as “Bert,” was a prominent Canadian businessman and Titanic survivor. Born on July 29, 1880, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dick became a successful entrepreneur in Alberta, venturing into sawmills, real estate, and hotel management before his fateful journey on the Titanic at the age of 31 (thirty-one).

Early Life and Family

Albert Adrian Dick was born into a family of pioneers and entrepreneurs. His parents were:

• Father: George Dick (1847-1911)
• Mother: Agnes McMillan Morrow (1853-1941)

He had two brothers:

• William Robert Dick (1878-1961)
• George Howard Dick (1884-1969)

Albert was raised in Alberta when it was still a Canadian territory, which likely instilled in him the spirit of frontier entrepreneurship that would define his later business ventures.

Business Ventures and Success

The Sawmill in Ponoka

Albert and one of his brothers started their entrepreneurial journey by establishing a sawmill in Ponoka, Alberta. This initial venture laid the foundation for their future success in the business world.

Real Estate and Commercial Properties

By 1904, the Dick brothers had expanded their business interests into real estate and commercial properties in Calgary. Their success in this field was remarkable, especially considering Albert was only 24 years old at the time.

Notable Achievements

1. Hotel Alexandra: Built on 8th Ave. S.E., Calgary (later demolished and replaced by a theatre)
2. Dick Business Block: Constructed on 9th St. S.E., Calgary (still standing as of the time of this writing)

These projects demonstrated the brothers’ acumen in identifying profitable opportunities in Calgary’s growing urban landscape.

Marriage and Honeymoon

On May 31, 1911 - coincidentally the same day the Titanic was launched - Albert married Vera Gillespie. The couple embarked on an extensive honeymoon that took them to:

• Egypt
• The Holy Land
• Various locations throughout Europe

This grand tour was not just for pleasure; it also served a practical purpose. The Dicks used their time in London to source antiques and furnishings for their new Tudor-style home at 2211-7th St. in Calgary’s affluent Mount Royal District.

The Titanic Journey

Booking and Accommodation

• Class: First Class
• Cabin: B-20
• Ticket Number: 17474
• Fare: £57

The Dicks boarded the Titanic at Southampton, looking forward to their return journey to Canada in luxury.

Experiences Aboard

During their time on the Titanic, the Dicks had several notable experiences:

1. They befriended Thomas Andrews, the ship’s designer.
2. On the last night of the voyage, they shared a dinner table with Andrews.
3. Vera Dick later remarked on the extraordinary clarity of the stars on that fateful night, saying, “Even in Canada where we have clear nights I have never seen such a clear sky or stars so bright.”

The Night of the Sinking

On the night of April 14, 1912, the Dicks’ lives changed forever:

• They were preparing for bed when the ship struck the iceberg.
• Initially, they felt nothing and were unaware of the collision.
• A steward knocked on their door shortly after midnight, instructing them to don their lifejackets.
• Thomas Andrews personally escorted them to Lifeboat 3.
• In a dramatic moment, Albert and Vera were locked in an embrace when Albert was pushed into the lifeboat with his wife.

Life After the Titanic

Return to Calgary and Social Backlash

Upon their return to Calgary, the Dicks faced unexpected challenges:

• Albert was ostracized for having survived the disaster.
• Rumors circulated that he had dressed as a woman to secure a place on a lifeboat.
• These false accusations severely impacted his hotel business.

Business and Personal Developments

Despite the setbacks, the Dicks persevered:

• Albert sold his hotel business but continued to thrive in real estate.
• Vera studied music at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and became a well-known vocalist in Calgary.
• They built an elaborate brick staircase in front of their house, which local gossip incorrectly claimed was modeled after the Titanic’s grand staircase.

Family Life

The Dicks experienced both joy and sorrow in their family life:

• They had a son born on December 6, 1913, who tragically died the same day.
• Their daughter, Gilda Vera (later Mrs. Louis Van Norman), was born in 1915 and lived until 1992.

Legacy and Final Years

Albert Adrian Dick passed away in Calgary, Alberta, on June 2, 1970, at the age of 89 (eighty-nine). His wife Vera survived him by three years, dying in Banff, Alberta, on October 7, 1973. They are both buried in Calgary’s Union Cemetery, Lot 4, Block 1, Section L.

Albert Adrian Dick’s life story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of early 20th century Canada, the tragic events of the Titanic disaster, and the resilience of those who survived to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of one of history’s most famous maritime catastrophes.