Charles Emil Henry Stengel

Who was Charles Emil Henry Stengel?

Charles Emil Henry Stengel was a prominent American businessman and Titanic survivor who lived from 1857 to 1914. He was a first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship and gained notoriety for his survival in the controversial Lifeboat 1, nicknamed “the money boat.”

Early Life and Family

Born on November 19, 1857, in Newark, New Jersey, Charles Emil Henry Stengel came from a German-American family. His father, Jacob Stengel, was a German immigrant from Hesse who worked as a patent leather manufacturer. His mother, Mary Elizabeth Stumpf, was of German descent but born in New York.

Stengel grew up with five siblings:

• Anna Elisabeth (b. 1855)
• Catharina Elisabeth “Lillie” (b. 1860)
• Charles (b. 1866)
• Mary (b. 1871)
• Alfred (b. 1874)

Business Career and Marriage

Following in his father’s footsteps, Charles entered the leather manufacturing industry at a young age. By 23, he was working as a leather splitter in his father’s business. After his father’s death in 1898, Stengel inherited the company and became a senior partner in the firm Stengel & Rothschild.

Around 1888, Stengel married Annie May Morris, a woman from Brooklyn. The couple had three children:

1. Inez (b. November 3, 1888)
2. Henry Ivan (b. October 3, 1891)
3. Karl Raymond (b. July 9, 1895)

The Titanic Journey

In March 1912, Charles and Annie Stengel embarked on a European trip. For their return to the United States, they boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg as first-class passengers. Their ticket (number 11778) cost £55, 8s, 10d, and they occupied cabin C116.

What happened to the Stengels on the night of the Titanic’s sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, the Stengels were in their cabin when the ship struck the iceberg. After initial confusion, they made their way to the boat deck. Mrs. Stengel was placed in Lifeboat 5, while Mr. Stengel found his way into the infamous Lifeboat 1.

Controversy and Aftermath

Why was Lifeboat 1 controversial?

Lifeboat 1, dubbed “the money boat” or “the captain’s dinghy,” became the center of controversy due to several factors:

1. It was launched with only 12 people aboard, despite having a capacity for 40.
2. The majority of its occupants were crew members.
3. Accusations surfaced that wealthy passengers had bribed the crew not to return for more survivors.

Stengel vehemently denied these allegations, instead accusing the crew of inappropriate behavior during the disaster. He claimed that crew members were joking and smoking cigarettes instead of properly manning the oars.

Later Life and Death

Following the Titanic disaster, the Stengels attempted to return to normal life in Newark. However, Charles Stengel’s health began to decline. Almost exactly two years after the sinking, on April 13, 1914, he fell ill. His condition worsened rapidly, and he passed away on April 19, 1914, at the age of 56 (fifty-six).

Stengel’s widow attributed his death to delayed shock from the Titanic disaster. He was one of the first Titanic survivors to die after the event. Charles Emil Henry Stengel was laid to rest in a large private mausoleum at Fairmount Cemetery in Newark, New Jersey.

Legacy

Charles Emil Henry Stengel’s story provides a unique perspective on the Titanic disaster, particularly the controversies surrounding the evacuation process and the behavior of passengers and crew in the lifeboats. His accounts and subsequent defense against accusations highlight the complex human dynamics at play during one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.