Chang Chip

Who was Mr Chang Chip?

Mr Chang Chip was a 32 (thirty-two) year old Hong Kongese seaman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. He was one of eight Chinese passengers who boarded the ill-fated ship at Southampton as third-class passengers, disproving the long-held misconception that they were stowaways.

Early Life and Background

Origins in Hong Kong

Born in 1880, Chang Chip hailed from Hong Kong, then a British colony. Little is known about his early life, but his profession as a seaman suggests he likely grew up near the bustling port city, exposed to maritime life from a young age.

Professional Life

Chang Chip worked as a fireman, a crucial role aboard steam-powered ships of the era. Firemen were responsible for maintaining the coal-fired boilers that powered the vessel’s engines. This demanding job required strength, endurance, and the ability to work in challenging conditions.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding at Southampton

On April 10, 1912, Chang Chip boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton, along with seven of his colleagues. They were all employees of the Donald Line, having previously worked aboard the ship Annetta.

Ticket Details

The group’s travel arrangements reveal interesting details:

• Ticket Number: 1601
• Fare: £56 9s 11d (56 pounds, 9 shillings, and 11 pence)
• Class: Third Class

This substantial fare for third-class passage suggests that, contrary to some reports, Chang Chip and his companions were not stowaways but legitimate passengers.

Fellow Travelers

Chang Chip’s traveling companions included:

• Lee Bing
• Choong Foo
• Ling Hee
• Ah Lam
• Len Lam
• Fang Lang
• Lee Ling

All eight men shared the same ticket, indicating they were likely traveling as a group for work purposes.

The Fateful Night

Survival Against the Odds

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, Chang Chip was among the fortunate survivors. As a third-class passenger, his chances of survival were statistically low, making his rescue even more remarkable.

Rescue and Arrival in New York

Chang Chip was picked up by the RMS Carpathia along with other survivors. He arrived in New York City on April 18, 1912, having lived through one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Life After the Titanic

Journey to Cuba

Following their arrival in America, Chang Chip and the other Chinese survivors didn’t linger long in New York. On April 20, 1912, just two days after reaching American soil, they boarded the Donald Line’s Annetta bound for Cuba.

Return to England

While the exact details of Chang Chip’s movements in the following years are unclear, we know that he eventually made his way back to England.

The Final Chapter

Untimely Death

Tragically, Chang Chip’s survival of the Titanic disaster did not guarantee him a long life. He is believed to have contracted pneumonia in late 1914, just two years after the Titanic sinking.

Death Registration

Chang Chip’s death was officially registered in December 1914 in Poplar, London. Interestingly, his name was recorded as “Chong Chip,” a variant spelling that was likely due to the phonetic challenges of transliterating Chinese names into English.

Legacy

The Six: A Documentary

The remarkable story of Chang Chip and five of his fellow Chinese Titanic survivors is explored in the 2021 documentary “The Six.” This film sheds light on a long-overlooked aspect of the Titanic’s history, bringing attention to the experiences of these resilient seamen.

Challenging Historical Narratives

Chang Chip’s story serves as a reminder of the diverse array of passengers aboard the Titanic. It challenges the often Eurocentric narratives of the disaster and highlights the global nature of maritime travel in the early 20th century.

The tale of Mr Chang Chip, from his journey aboard the Titanic to his untimely death in London, offers a unique perspective on one of history’s most famous events. His survival against the odds and the subsequent documentary about his group’s experience ensure that this Hong Kongese seaman’s story will not be forgotten in the annals of Titanic history.