Who was Alice Gray Silvey?

Alice Gray Silvey was an American first-class passenger and survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster. Born on October 19, 1872, in Duluth, Minnesota, she was 39 (thirty-nine) years old when she embarked on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Alice’s life was marked by tragedy and resilience, from her experiences on the Titanic to her later years as a prominent member of Duluth society.

Early Life and Family Background

A Privileged Upbringing

Alice Gray Silvey was born into a prominent family in Duluth, Minnesota. Her parents were:

• Father: Roger Sherman Munger (1830-1913)
• Mother: Olive M. Gray (1835-1894)

Roger Sherman Munger was a renowned businessman who played a significant role in the development of Duluth during the Jay Cooke era. His business interests included:

• The city’s first grain elevator
• The first opera house
• The Munger Terrace apartments complex
• The construction of the shipping canal

This background provided Alice with a privileged upbringing and connections that would shape her life.

Siblings and Education

Alice had two known siblings:

• Edward (born 1859)
• Mary Emma (1863-1941, later Mrs. Dwight Woodbridge)

Her education was diverse and reflective of her social status:

1. Initial schooling in Duluth
2. Further education in New York
3. Studies in Neuilly, France

This cosmopolitan education prepared Alice for a life of travel and social engagement.

Marriage and Family Life

First Marriage to William Baird Silvey

On June 28, 1893, Alice married William Baird Silvey, a man with his own impressive credentials:

• Graduate of Brown University
• Interests in the West Duluth Land Company
• Lease holder of the West Superior Hotel
• Former lease holder of the Spalding Hotel (where they lived for a period)

Their union produced one child:

• Alice Melville, born on March 26, 1894

Tragically, Alice’s mother, Olive, passed away just days before her granddaughter’s birth, on March 20, 1894.

The Titanic Journey

Why were the Silveys on the Titanic?

Mr. and Mrs. Silvey had been on a trip to Europe, leaving their daughter Alice behind to study in Farmington, Connecticut. They booked their return journey on the Titanic, embarking at Cherbourg.

Titanic Ticket Details

• Ticket Number: 13507
• Cabin: E44
• Class: 1st Class
• Ticket Price: £55 18s

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Alice’s actions were those of a woman prepared for the worst:

1. She dressed warmly, putting on two heavy coats.
2. Her husband cautioned her to follow the officers’ orders but remain calm.
3. Alice was ordered into lifeboat 11.
4. Before boarding, she briefly embraced her husband for the last time.
5. While entering the lifeboat, she stumbled, reportedly tripping over a stowaway hiding under a seat.

The Aftermath

Alice survived the sinking, but William did not. She later recounted that the full realization of the tragedy didn’t hit her until she was unable to locate her husband on the Carpathia and the ship set sail for New York.

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

Following her arrival in New York aboard the Carpathia, Alice’s actions were:

1. Stayed at the Gotham Hotel in Manhattan for a short while.
2. Traveled to Washington, DC to attend to her late husband’s family.

Further Tragedies and New Beginnings

Alice’s life continued to be marked by loss and renewal:

• March 14, 1913: Her father, Roger Sherman Munger, passed away.
• 1914-1918: She settled in New York.
• 1918: Alice remarried to Richard Steedman Patrick (born July 17, 1880), a Scottish immigrant involved in the mining industry.

Return to Duluth and Community Involvement

After her second marriage, Alice returned to Duluth, where she became an active community member:

• Involved in musical affairs, including the Matinee Musical and the Duluth Symphony Organisation
• Member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
• Charter member of the Liberty chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Final Years

• March 19, 1949: Alice’s second husband, Richard, passed away.
• She lived at 2514 East Superior Street in Duluth.
• May 2, 1958: Alice died in hospital at the age of 85 (eighty-five).
• She was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Duluth.

Legacy

Alice Gray Silvey’s life spanned the turn of the century and was marked by both tragedy and resilience. From her survival of the Titanic disaster to her active involvement in Duluth society, she left a lasting impact on her community. Her daughter, Alice, never married and lived many years in New York before passing away in Minnesota on October 24, 1975, carrying on the family’s legacy.