Mr Alfred John Carver: A Seaman’s Tragic Journey on the Titanic

Mr Alfred John Carver was a 27 (twenty-seven) year-old English seaman who tragically lost his life aboard the RMS Titanic. Born in 1884 in Burpham, Sussex, Carver’s life was cut short on April 15, 1912, when the “unsinkable” ship met its fateful end in the North Atlantic.

Early Life and Family

Alfred John Carver was born in the latter months of 1884 to John Carver, an agricultural labourer from Coates, Sussex, and Eliza Ann Vidler (née Smith, formerly Grist) from Hambledon, Hampshire. He was baptized on November 2, 1884, and is believed to have been their only surviving child.

Alfred’s family history was marked by loss and resilience:

His mother, Eliza, had been previously married twice before meeting John Carver
Eliza’s first marriage to Charles Grist in 1868 resulted in three children
After Charles Grist’s death in 1874, Eliza married a Mr. Vidler and had another son
By 1881, Eliza was widowed for the second time

Where did Alfred Carver grow up?

Alfred’s early years were spent in East Preston, Sussex, where the 1891 census recorded him living with his family. Tragedy struck again when his father passed away in 1892 at the young age of 36. This loss prompted Alfred and his mother to relocate to Hampshire, settling in Southsea.

Career and Adult Life

What was Alfred Carver’s profession before becoming a seaman?

The 1901 census provides an interesting glimpse into Alfred’s early career:

Address: 48 Napier Road, Southsea
Age: 19 (nineteen)
Occupation: Billiard maker

This surprising detail shows that Alfred had diverse skills before embarking on his maritime career.

How did Alfred Carver end up on the Titanic?

By 1912, Alfred had been working at sea for several years. A series of unfortunate events led to his presence on the Titanic:

The British coal strike of 1912 caused scheduling problems for ships
The westbound voyage of the SS Philadelphia was cancelled
Carver and several shipmates were forced to travel as passengers on the Titanic
They boarded at Southampton as third-class passengers

The Fateful Voyage

What were the details of Alfred Carver’s Titanic journey?

Ticket Number: 370160
Class: 3rd Class
Embarkation: Southampton
Fare: £7 5s

Alfred Carver boarded the Titanic with his shipmates, including:

Andrew Shannon (also known as Lionel Leonard)
August Johnson
William Cahoone Jr. Johnson
Thomas Storey
William Henry Törnquist

This group of seamen, originally scheduled to work on another vessel, found themselves as passengers on what would become the most infamous maiden voyage in maritime history.

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

Alfred Carver did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified, adding to the heartbreak of his loss.

How did Alfred Carver’s death impact his family?

The tragedy had significant financial implications for Alfred’s mother:

Alfred’s estate was valued at £56, 12s
It was administered to his mother, Eliza
Eliza received a weekly allowance of 5s, 6d from the Titanic Relief Fund

These financial provisions, while modest, would have provided some support to Alfred’s bereaved mother in the wake of this devastating loss.

Legacy

Alfred John Carver’s story is a poignant reminder of the many ordinary lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. As a seaman forced into the role of a passenger, his presence on the ship was a cruel twist of fate. Today, he is remembered not only as a victim of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters but as a representation of the many working-class individuals who perished that night, their stories often overshadowed by those of the ship’s more famous passengers.