Catherine Elizabeth Crosby

Who was Mrs Catherine Elizabeth Crosby?

Mrs Catherine Elizabeth Crosby was a 64 (sixty-four) year-old American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born Catherine Elizabeth Halstead in 1847, she was traveling with her husband, Captain Edward Gifford Crosby, and daughter Harriette when the tragedy struck. Her remarkable survival story and subsequent testimony at the U.S. Senate Hearings provide valuable insights into the events of that fateful night.

Early Life and Family

A New York Native

Catherine Elizabeth Halstead was born on October 26, 1847, in Waterloo, New York. She was the daughter of J. Y. Halstead and his wife (née Cook). This upbringing in the mid-19th century New York would have shaped her early years and experiences.

Marriage and Family

Catherine married Captain Edward Gifford Crosby, with whom she had at least two children:

• Harriette Rebecca Crosby (who accompanied them on the Titanic)
• Fred Crosby (who did not travel with them on the Titanic)

The Titanic Journey

Embarkation and Accommodations

In 1912, the Crosby family resided at 474 Marshall Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They embarked on the Titanic at Southampton, England, for what was supposed to be a momentous journey across the Atlantic. Their travel details were as follows:

Interestingly, while Catherine and her husband shared cabin B-22, their daughter Harriette was accommodated separately in cabin B-26.

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, Catherine’s life changed forever. Here’s a chronology of events based on her account:

1. Catherine was awakened by a sort of ’thump'.
2. Her husband left to gather information about the disturbance.
3. Captain Crosby returned, reporting that the ship was badly damaged.
4. He left again, and tragically, this was the last time Catherine saw him.
5. Catherine and Harriette quickly dressed and made their way to the deck.
6. They boarded a lifeboat on the forward starboard side of the ship.

Survival and Testimony

A Harrowing Experience

Catherine’s survival story is both heartbreaking and illuminating. In her own words:

“My husband did not come back again after he left me and I don’t know what became of him, except that his body was found and brought back to Milwaukee for burial.”

U.S. Senate Hearings Testimony

Catherine later testified at the U.S. Senate Hearings, providing crucial information about the conditions during the evacuation:

• There were no lights or provisions in the lifeboats, only oars.
• After rowing away from the Titanic, she heard explosions and cries from people in the water.
• The moment of the ship’s sinking was marked by the Titanic’s lights going out.
• An officer provided her with a sail for warmth, highlighting the harsh conditions faced by survivors.

What was Catherine Crosby’s legacy?

Catherine Elizabeth Crosby’s legacy lies in her survival and her contribution to the historical record of the Titanic disaster. Her testimony at the U.S. Senate Hearings helped shed light on the conditions faced by survivors and the lack of proper emergency preparations on the ship. Her account continues to be a valuable source for historians and researchers studying the Titanic tragedy.

Final Years and Resting Place

Catherine Elizabeth Crosby (née Halstead) passed away on July 29, 1920, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the age of 72 (seventy-two). Initially, she was buried with her husband in the Fairview Mausoleum, Milwaukee. However, in a touching tribute to the family’s bond, Catherine, her husband, and their daughter Harriette were reinterred together at Graceland Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1997.

This final resting place serves as a poignant reminder of the Crosby family’s story - a tale of tragedy, survival, and the enduring connections that withstood even the most catastrophic of circumstances.