Charles Alexander Fortune

Who was Charles Alexander Fortune?

Mr. Charles Alexander Fortune was a promising 19 (nineteen) year-old Canadian passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born into a wealthy family, he was a recent graduate of Bishop’s College in Lennoxville, Quebec, where he had excelled both academically and athletically. Charles was returning from a Grand Tour of Europe when he tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Education

A Privileged Upbringing

Charles Alexander Fortune was born on October 13, 1892, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He was the only son of Mark and Mary Fortune, part of a prominent Canadian family. Charles grew up in an environment of privilege, which afforded him excellent educational opportunities.

Academic and Athletic Excellence

Charles’s academic journey led him to Bishop’s College in Lennoxville, Quebec. Here, he distinguished himself as a student of exceptional ability, earning:

• Citations for academic excellence
• Recognition for athletic prowess

His performance at Bishop’s College set the stage for a bright future, with plans to enroll at the prestigious McGill University upon his return from Europe.

The Grand Tour and Titanic Voyage

European Adventure

In the early 20th century, it was common for young men of means to embark on a “Grand Tour” of Europe as a rite of passage. Charles Fortune had just completed such a tour when he boarded the Titanic for his return journey to North America.

Titanic Passage

Charles boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger. He was accompanied by:

• His father, Mark Fortune
• His mother, Mary Fortune
• Three sisters:
  • Ethel Flora Fortune
  • Alice Elizabeth Fortune
  • Mabel Helen Fortune

The Fortune family occupied cabins C-23, C-25, and C-27, some of the most luxurious accommodations on the ship. Their ticket, number 19950, cost a substantial £263, equivalent to over £30,000 in today’s currency.

The Fateful Night

A Family Divided

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, the Fortune family faced a heart-wrenching separation. While the “women and children first” protocol was generally followed, it meant that Charles and his father would be left behind.

Loss and Legacy

Tragically, both Charles Alexander Fortune and his father, Mark, lost their lives in the sinking. Their bodies were never recovered from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. The loss of these two men deeply affected the surviving Fortune women and the wider community in Winnipeg.

Remembering Charles Alexander Fortune

A Life Cut Short

At just 19 (nineteen) years old, Charles Alexander Fortune’s life was tragically cut short. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster, each with their own dreams and potential unfulfilled.

Family Legacy

While Charles and his father perished, the Fortune women - Mary, Ethel, Alice, and Mabel - survived the sinking. Their survival ensured that the Fortune family story, including Charles’s memory, would be passed down through generations.

Charles Alexander Fortune’s brief life, marked by academic and athletic achievement, and his untimely death aboard the Titanic, remains a touching testament to the human cost of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters. His story continues to captivate those who study the Titanic’s history, serving as a window into the lives of the ship’s first-class passengers and the devastating impact of the tragedy on families like the Fortunes.