Who was Miss Alice Elizabeth Fortune?

Miss Alice Elizabeth Fortune was a 24 (twenty-four) year-old Canadian first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on May 10, 1887, she survived the tragic sinking and went on to lead a fulfilling life, marked by an eerie premonition, a dramatic rescue, and a subsequent marriage to her fiancé.

Early Life and Family

Alice Elizabeth Fortune was born into a prominent Canadian family. She was the daughter of Mark and Mary Fortune, and had three siblings:

Ethel Flora Fortune
Mabel Helen Fortune
Charles Alexander Fortune

At the time of the Titanic voyage, Alice was still living at home with her family, showcasing the close-knit nature of the Fortune clan.

The Grand Tour and a Chilling Prophecy

What led Alice to board the Titanic?

Alice’s parents invited her to join them on the Grand Tour, a traditional trip undertaken by wealthy families of the era. This journey would ultimately lead them to book passage on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

On February 12, 1912, while sitting on the veranda of Sheapheard’s Hotel in Cairo, Alice experienced a chilling encounter that would prove to be eerily prophetic. A fortune teller approached her with a stark warning:

“You are in danger every time you travel on the sea, for I see you adrift in an open boat. You will lose everything but your life.”

This encounter was witnessed by William Sloper, a fellow Titanic passenger, who later recounted the incident in his memoirs. He noted that Alice gave the soothsayer some money before the man disappeared into the crowd.

The Titanic Journey

What were Alice’s travel arrangements on the Titanic?

Alice boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger. Her travel details were as follows:

Ticket Number: 19950
Cabin: C23/25/27
Ticket Price: £263

She was accompanied by her parents, her two sisters, and her brother. The Fortune family occupied a set of adjoining cabins, reflecting their affluent status.

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, Alice’s life changed forever. The Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink. In the chaos that ensued, Alice and the women of her family were separated from her father and brother.

How did Alice survive the Titanic disaster?

Alice, along with her mother and sisters, was rescued, likely aboard lifeboat 10. Tragically, her father Mark and brother Charles Alexander were lost in the sinking, fulfilling part of the fortune teller’s ominous prediction.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Alice’s future?

At the time of the disaster, Alice was engaged to Charles Holden Allen, born on August 28, 1880, in St. John, New Brunswick. Despite the trauma of the Titanic sinking, Alice and Charles proceeded with their wedding plans.

The couple married on June 8, 1912, less than two months after the disaster. This swift union may have been a response to the tragedy, highlighting the preciousness and unpredictability of life.

Career and Family Life

Charles Allen quickly rose to prominence in Canadian business and governmental affairs. His career included:

Practicing law in Fredericton, New Brunswick
Serving as Assistant to the Canadian Manager and Director of National Surety Company in Montreal

Alice and Charles had one daughter, Mary Marjorie Rutherford (née Allen), who also resided in Chester, Nova Scotia.

Later Years and Legacy

The Allens owned a vacation home in Chester, Nova Scotia, which became their retirement residence. Alice lived a long life, passing away on April 7, 1961, at the age of 73 (seventy-three). She was laid to rest in the cemetery in Chester.

Alice Elizabeth Fortune’s life story is a testament to human resilience. From the luxurious cabins of the Titanic to the lifeboats of survival, and through to a life of family and accomplishment, her journey embodies the complex legacy of the Titanic’s passengers. The eerie accuracy of the fortune teller’s prediction adds a layer of mystique to her already remarkable tale, ensuring her place in the annals of Titanic history.