Alfred Nourney: The Titanic’s Self-Styled Baron

Alfred Nourney was a 20-year-old German passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on February 26, 1892, in Cologne, Germany, Nourney’s journey on the ill-fated ship was marked by his extravagant behavior, dubious claims of nobility, and controversial actions during and after the disaster.

Early Life and Family

Alfred Nourney was born into a prominent merchant family in Cologne. His parents, Johann (also known as Hans) Nourney and Adele (née Büren), married in June 1890. The Nourney family had roots in Cologne, Mörs (Moers), Elberfeld, and Neviges, and were descendants of Henrich Noerneff (1661-1702).

Tragedy struck the family early in Alfred’s life when his father died in May 1908. Johann Nourney fell ill during a voyage back to Germany from New York and passed away in the Harbor Hospital in Hamburg.

Education and Early Adulthood

From 1907 to 1910, Alfred attended the Evangelisches Pädagogium in Bad Godesberg. Interestingly, one of his contemporaries at the school was Rudolf Heß, who would later become Adolf Hitler’s deputy. It remains unknown whether the two had any significant interaction during their school years.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Nourney on the Titanic?

Recent research suggests that Nourney’s family sent him to America after he allegedly impregnated a local girl. This scandal may explain his hasty departure and his intention to start a new career demonstrating high-speed automobiles in the United States.

Upgrading to First Class

Nourney initially boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as a second-class passenger. His ticket (number SC PARIS 2166) cost £13 17s 3d. Dissatisfied with his accommodations, he approached the purser and requested an upgrade to first class. For an additional £38, he was assigned to cabin D-38.

The “Baron” and His Extravagance

During the voyage, Nourney adopted the pseudonym “Baron Alfred von Drachstedt.” This false title may have been an attempt to avoid scandal, secure his upgrade, or impress his wealthy fellow passengers. Newspaper reports claimed he spent an astonishing $2,133 on his wardrobe, which included jewelry, walking sticks, and two sets of toilet articles.

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Nourney was playing cards with William B. Greenfield and Henry Blank in the first-class smoke room when the Titanic struck the iceberg. Despite the gravity of the situation, they briefly continued their game before heading to the lifeboats.

Escape and Controversial Behavior

Nourney was among the first to board Lifeboat No. 7, which was lowered at 12:45 am. Eyewitness accounts paint an unflattering picture of his behavior during the rescue:

“There was a German baron aboard who smoked an obnoxious pipe incessantly and refused to pull an oar.”

• Helen Bishop, Dowagiac Daily News, April 20, 1912

After the rescue, Nourney reportedly fired all the cartridges from a revolver he had brought “to defend himself in the Wild West.”

Rescue and Aftermath

The Carpathia picked up Lifeboat No. 7 at 5:10 am. Onboard the rescue ship, Nourney’s behavior continued to draw negative attention. He was seen lounging on blankets meant for survivors and was publicly shamed when a young woman pulled the blanket from under him, causing him to roll onto the floor.

Return to Europe and Later Life

After his rescue, Nourney traveled extensively before possibly returning to Germany in 1919. In the years that followed, he:

• Raced cars and flew airplanes
• Became a nominal member of the Nazi party and SS in the 1930s (though his denazification file states he was “not politically prominent”)
• Held various jobs, including working as a salesman of motor car parts
• Married twice and had two daughters, Elke and Ute
• Maintained a passion for tennis, becoming a stalwart member of his local club

Legacy and Final Years

In 1960, Nourney was interviewed by German TV (Süddeutscher Rundfunk) about his Titanic experience. He described the haunting sounds of 1,500 people struggling in the water, likening it to a siren.

Alfred Nourney passed away on November 15, 1972, at the age of 80 (eighty). His ashes were interred at Melaten-Friedhof Cemetery in Cologne, Germany (plot 309/310).

Alfred Nourney’s story serves as a fascinating yet controversial footnote in the Titanic’s history, highlighting the complex human drama that unfolded during one of the 20th century’s most infamous maritime disasters.