Who was Miss Alice Herman?

Miss Alice Herman was a 24-year-old English woman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on December 6, 1887, in Galhampton, Somerset, England, Alice was a second-class passenger on the ill-fated ship’s maiden voyage. Her story is one of survival, resilience, and a new life in America following the tragic events of April 1912.

Early Life and Family

Alice Herman was born into a family with an intriguing background. Her father, Samuel Herman (born 1862), was a butcher from Somerset, while her mother, Jane Laver (born 1861), had been born in India to British parents. Alice had only one sibling, her twin sister Kate, making them the only two children in the Herman family.

Childhood in Somerset

The Herman family’s early years were spent in Castle Cary, Somerset. Records show that in 1891, they were living at 4 Abbey Cottages, and they remained at this address until at least 1901. Later, the family moved to Smallways, still within Castle Cary, where Alice continued to reside with her parents as shown in the 1911 census.

The Decision to Emigrate

For several years, Samuel Herman had been the proprietor of the Britannia Hotel in Castle Cary, suggesting the family had been financially comfortable. However, their fortunes took a downturn in the year leading up to their fateful journey. This change in circumstances led to the family’s decision to emigrate to America.

Booking Passage on the Titanic

Initially, the Herman family had booked passage on a different ship. However, they canceled this booking to allow more time for preparation. Eventually, they secured tickets for the RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage. Alice, along with her parents, sister, and her father’s young employee George Sweet (whom they considered a surrogate son), boarded the Titanic at Southampton as second-class passengers.

The Titanic Journey

Their journey on the Titanic was meant to be the beginning of a new life in America. Here are some key details about their voyage:

• Ticket Number: 220845
• Ticket Cost: £65
• Class: Second Class
• Point of Embarkation: Southampton

The family was bound for Bernardsville, New Jersey, where Alice’s uncle, Arthur Laver, worked as a steward at the Somerset Hill Country Club.

The Night of the Sinking

What happened to Alice during the Titanic’s final hours?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Alice, her mother, and her sister were in bed when the Titanic struck the iceberg. They reported feeling only a slight shock. Her father, who had been on deck, returned to their cabin with reassuring words, telling them to stay in bed due to the bitter cold outside.

After investigating further, Samuel Herman returned to the cabin and instructed his wife and daughters to dress. The family then made their way to the boat deck. Alice, her mother, and her sister are believed to have been placed in one of the aft lifeboats, ensuring their survival.

Tragically, Alice’s father, Samuel Herman, and George Sweet did not survive the sinking. Their [bodies]https://titanicuniverse.com/ship/wreck/bodies), if recovered, were never identified.

Life After the Titanic

How did Alice rebuild her life after the tragedy?

Upon arriving in New York, Alice and her surviving family members were met by her uncle Arthur Laver and his associate, William David Cleland. They traveled to the Somerset Hill Country Club in Bernardsville, where they were interviewed by The Bernardsville News, sharing their harrowing experience.

Marriage and Family

In 1913, Alice married William David Cleland, a Scottish-born horse trainer from Peapack, New Jersey. The couple initially lived in Gladstone, New Jersey, before settling at Larger Cross Roads in Bedminster, New Jersey. There, they ran stables and raised their family.

Alice and William had four children:

1. Muriel (1915-2006, later Mrs. Harry Harris)
2. William “Jack” (born 1916)
3. Norman (born 1918)
4. Basil (1920-1993)

Legacy and Later Years

Alice Herman Cleland lived a quiet life after her Titanic experience. She rarely spoke about the disaster, even to her family members. For a time, she cared for her mother in her final years, demonstrating her strong family ties.

In her later years, Alice developed late-onset diabetes. She passed away from complications related to this condition at Somerset Hospital on March 23, 1947, at the age of 59 (fifty-nine). Alice was laid to rest in St. Bernard’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in Bernardsville.

Her husband, William Cleland, survived her by 14 years, passing away in 1961.

Alice Herman’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s human impact. Her survival, subsequent life in America, and the family she built stand as a testament to the resilience of those who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.