Augusta Jeanne Serreplaà

Who was Augusta Jeanne Serreplaà?

Augusta Jeanne Serreplaà was a French personal maid who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born in 1881, she worked as a lady’s maid for wealthy American families and was employed by Mrs. William Ernest Carter at the time of the Titanic disaster. Serreplaà’s survival story and her experiences as a first-class servant aboard the ill-fated ship make her an intriguing figure in Titanic history.

Early Life and Family

Augusta Jeanne Serreplaà was born on July 8, 1881, in Lalinde, Dordogne, Aquitaine, France. She was 30 (thirty) years old at the time of the Titanic disaster. Her parents were:

Father: Jean Serreplaà (born 1854)
Mother: Marie Roquejoffre (born 1860)

Unfortunately, details about Augusta’s early life and upbringing in France remain largely unknown, leaving a gap in our understanding of her formative years.

Journey to America and Early Career

When did Augusta first arrive in the United States?

Augusta Serreplaà first set foot on American soil on November 28, 1908. She arrived aboard the ship La Lorraine, with the intention of finding work as a lady’s maid. This move would prove to be a significant turning point in her life, setting her on a path that would eventually lead her to the Titanic.

Early Employment in New York

By 1910, Augusta had successfully established herself in her chosen profession. The census of that year provides us with a glimpse into her life:

Employer: Mrs. Ada Kerner, wife of a wealthy broker
Residence: 26 West 39th Street, Manhattan
Occupation: Lady’s maid

This position with the Kerner family laid the foundation for Augusta’s career in service to wealthy American families.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Titanic

Augusta Serreplaà boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger. She was traveling as part of the entourage of Mrs. William Ernest Carter, her employer at the time. Key details of her Titanic journey include:

Ticket number: 113798
Ticket cost: £31
Class: First Class
Cabin: C138 (shared with Berthe Leroy, French maid of Mrs. Mahala Douglas)

Who was Augusta’s traveling companion?

Augusta was not the only servant in the Carter party. She traveled on the same ticket as Alexander Cairns, the Carters’ Scottish manservant. This arrangement was common for wealthy passengers who brought their domestic staff on voyages.

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Augusta Serreplaà faced a life-threatening situation. Fortunately, she managed to survive the disaster, escaping in lifeboat 4 along with her employer, Mrs. Carter.

Life After the Titanic

What happened to Augusta after the Titanic disaster?

The years following the Titanic sinking are somewhat obscure in Augusta’s life story. We know that:

She survived and disembarked in New York City
The Carters later divorced, and Mrs. Carter remarried
Augusta apparently did not remain in Mrs. Carter’s service after the divorce
By 1925, she was listed as a boarder at an address in Manhattan

Despite these fragments of information, many details about her employment and life post-Titanic remain unclear.

Personal Life and Final Years

Augusta Serreplaà never married, choosing to remain single throughout her life. This decision was not uncommon for women in domestic service during that era, as their careers often precluded marriage and family life.

When did Augusta Serreplaà die?

Augusta Serreplaà passed away in Manhattan on October 25, 1928. She was 47 (forty-seven) years old at the time of her death, although her death record incorrectly stated her age as 43.

Legacy

Although Augusta Serreplaà’s life was not marked by grand achievements or public recognition, her story provides a valuable glimpse into the lives of domestic servants in the early 20th century. As a Titanic survivor, she became part of a select group of individuals who lived through one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.

Her experiences aboard the Titanic and her survival serve as a reminder of the often-overlooked stories of service staff who were present during this tragic event. Augusta Serreplaà’s life, from her birth in rural France to her work in New York’s high society and her brush with history on the Titanic, encapsulates the remarkable journeys undertaken by many immigrants seeking a new life in America during that era.