David Livshin

Who was Mr David Livshin?

Mr David Livshin was a 25 (twenty-five) year old Latvian jeweller who tragically perished in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in 1887 in Liepāja, Kurzeme, Latvia (then part of the Russian Empire), Livshin was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise.

Early Life and Military Service

Russian Army Experience

While details about David’s early life remain somewhat vague, it is known that he served in the Russian Army before making a significant life change. This military experience likely shaped his character and provided him with valuable life skills.

Relocation to England

Around 1911, David Livshin made the bold decision to leave his homeland and settle in England. This move marked a turning point in his life, setting the stage for his future endeavors and, unknowingly, his fateful journey on the Titanic.

Career and Personal Life

Watchmaking Business

Upon arriving in England, David demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by establishing a watchmaking business in Strangeways, Manchester. This choice of profession aligned with his skills as a jeweller and showcased his ambition to build a new life in a foreign land.

Residence in Manchester

David settled at 36 Strong Street, Lower Broughton, Manchester. This address became his home as he worked to establish himself in his new country.

Marriage and Family Plans

In early 1912, David married China Hodes, a young Russian woman. Their union was the beginning of what they hoped would be a promising future together. At the time of David’s Titanic voyage, China was in the early stages of pregnancy, adding a poignant layer to the tragedy that would unfold.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a New Life

David boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as a third-class passenger. His ultimate destination was Montréal, Québec, where he had several siblings. The plan was for David to establish himself in Canada before sending for his pregnant wife to join him.

Mysterious Ticket Purchase

Intriguingly, David purchased his ticket under the name of Abraham Harmer. The reason for this remains a mystery to his family, who speculate that he might have acquired the ticket from a third party. The ticket, numbered 374887, cost £7 5s.

Cabin Arrangements

It is believed that David shared a cabin with Abraham Hyman, another passenger who, unlike David, survived the disaster.

The Sinking and Aftermath

David’s Fate

Tragically, David Livshin did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. The circumstances of his final moments remain unclear, but several accounts provide possible scenarios of his fate.

Burial at Sea

According to Captain Rostron of the Carpathia, Livshin was one of four people buried from the rescue ship. This suggests that his body was recovered from the water but that he had not survived the ordeal.

Conflicting Accounts

There are conflicting reports about the recovery of David’s body:

• He may have been the fourth person picked up by lifeboat 14.
• Alternatively, he could have been the “lifeless body” mentioned by Second Officer Lightoller, transferred from Collapsible B to lifeboat 12 during the night.
• Passenger Algernon Barkworth also mentioned a dead body being transferred between lifeboats.

Legacy and Family

A Son Born to a Widow

On September 3, 1912, nearly five months after the Titanic disaster, China Livshin gave birth to a son. In a touching tribute, she named the boy David, honoring the father he would never know.

The Struggle for Support

China applied to the Liverpool Relief Fund for assistance following her husband’s death. She was granted a monthly payment but requested a reduced sum and an immediate cash payment to facilitate a trip to Russia with her newborn son to visit his grandparents.

War-time Hardships

The outbreak of World War I in 1914 trapped China and young David in Russia, where they endured severe hardships. It wasn’t until 1920 that they were able to return to Manchester.

The Life of David Livshin Jr.

Young David grew up to become a highly respected member of the medical profession. He married Milly Bor in 1948 and had three children: Michael (b. 1949), Naomi (b. 1953), and Deborah (b. 1957). David Jr. passed away in Manchester in 1992 at the age of 79, having lived a full life that his father was tragically denied.

The story of David Livshin serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster, and the enduring impact on the families left behind. His legacy lives on through his descendants, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy.