Charles Hallace Romaine

Who was Charles Hallace Romaine?

Charles Hallace Romaine was an American stockbroker and Titanic survivor, born on July 11, 1866, in Kentucky. He gained notoriety as a first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic and was one of the fortunate survivors of the tragic sinking in April 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Kentucky Upbringing

Born into a large family, Charles was the youngest of twelve children. His parents were:

• Father: William H. Romine (1825-1867), a farmer from Virginia
• Mother: Julia “Jailey” Hester Lynam (1826-1911) from Kentucky

Tragically, Charles lost his father at the tender age of one. His mother later remarried Joshua Secrist, a Kentucky farm laborer, bringing step-siblings into Charles’ life.

A Nomadic Childhood

The Romaine family’s early years were marked by several relocations:

1. 1870: Living in Tiffin, Adams County, Ohio
2. 1880: Residing in Oliver, Adams County, Ohio (Charles, age 13, working as a farm laborer)
3. 1892: Moving to Anderson, Madison County, Indiana

This nomadic lifestyle likely shaped young Charles’ adaptability and resourcefulness, traits that would serve him well in his later career and during the Titanic disaster.

Career and Personal Life

From Farm Boy to Stockbroker

How did Charles Romaine transition from a farm laborer to a successful stockbroker? While the exact details of his career progression are unclear, we know that by the turn of the century, Romaine had established himself in the world of finance. His journey from rural Kentucky to the bustling streets of Manhattan is a testament to his ambition and acumen.

Marriage and Manhattan Life

In 1895, at the age of 29, Charles married Eileen Beatrice Doll, born on March 15, 1874. The couple settled in Manhattan, where they lived in various locations over the years:

• 1900: West 112th Street
• 1905: 107th Street
• 1910: West 109th Street
• 1920: West 98th Street

Despite their long marriage, Charles and Eileen never had children.

The Titanic Journey

A Fateful Voyage

In April 1912, Charles Romaine boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger. His ticket, number 111428, cost £26 11s (equivalent to approximately £3,200 or $4,000 in 2023).

Intriguing Details

1. Aliases: Romaine was known to use several aliases, including Harry Romine. For this voyage, he chose “Mr. C. Rolmane.”
2. Gambling: He was remembered as one of several passengers engaged in gambling aboard the ship.
3. Iceberg Warning: Romaine later claimed to have heard passengers say they had seen icebergs near the ship shortly before the collision.

Survival and Rescue

While it’s certain that Romaine survived the sinking, the specific lifeboat in which he was rescued remains unknown. This mystery adds an element of intrigue to his Titanic story.

Life After the Titanic

Professional Endeavors

Following the Titanic disaster, Romaine’s career took several interesting turns:

• 1915: Lived in London, serving as a managing director of Throg-Morton trust company
• Post-Titanic: Managed the Hotel Doxey in Anderson, Indiana
• 1920: Returned to New York, working as a promoter of oil stocks

Physical Description

A 1915 passport provides a vivid description of Romaine:

• Height: 5 feet 11 inches
• Hair: Grey
• Eyes: Brown
• Complexion: Dark

This description helps us visualize the man who survived one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.

Tragic End and Legacy

An Untimely Death

In a cruel twist of fate, Charles Romaine, who had survived the sinking of the Titanic, met his end in a more mundane but equally tragic way. On January 18, 1922, at the age of 55 (fifty-five), he was struck by a taxi cab just a block from his home in Manhattan. This accident cut short the life of a man who had already cheated death once before.

Family Tragedies

Remarkably, Charles’ sister Matilda followed him in death less than five months later, on May 4, 1922. Her cause of death was blood poisoning, believed to have originated from a minor scratch on her fingernail. This series of unfortunate events underscores the fragility of life, even for those who had survived historic calamities.

Remembrance

Charles Hallace Romaine was laid to rest in Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Indiana, bringing his journey full circle to the state where he had spent part of his youth. His widow, Eileen, never remarried and lived a long life, passing away in January 1970 at the age of 95. She was buried alongside Charles, reuniting the couple in death.

Charles Romaine’s life story, from his humble beginnings in Kentucky to his survival of the Titanic and his eventual tragic end in New York, encapsulates the tumultuous nature of the early 20th century. His tale serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of fate and the enduring fascination with those who witnessed and survived one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.