Edward Arthur Dorkings - Titanic Universe

Who was Edward Arthur Dorkings?

Edward Arthur Dorkings was a young English groom who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on June 18, 1893 in Stamford Hill, Middlesex, England, Dorkings was just 18 (eighteen) years old when he boarded the ill-fated ship as a third-class passenger. His survival and subsequent detailed account of the disaster made him a notable figure in the aftermath of the Titanic tragedy.

Early Life and Family

Edward was born into a working-class family in England. His parents were:

Father: Edward Arthur Dorkings Sr. (b. 1867), a policeman
Mother: Florence Derby (b. 1876)

He had two sisters:

Edith May (b. 1892)
Dorothy “Dolly” (1894-1989)

Tragedy struck early in Edward’s life when his father passed away in Worcestershire in 1904. His mother remarried in late 1907 to Johnnie Charles Baker, an officer’s mess waiter.

Journey on the Titanic

Boarding and Ticket Details

Embarked: Southampton
Class: Third Class
Ticket Number: 10482
Ticket Cost: £8, 1s
Destination: Oglesby, Illinois, to stay with his uncle and aunt Fred and Violet Cook

A Near Miss

Interestingly, Dorkings was almost denied boarding due to bloodshot eyes, which he attributed to traveling all night to reach the terminal. This minor detail highlights the strict health checks passengers underwent before boarding, even for third-class travelers.

The Fateful Night

Dorkings provided a vivid account of the night of April 14, 1912, when the Titanic struck the iceberg. He recalled:

“It was at ten minutes to midnight on the 14th that we struck the iceberg. I was in the music room playing cards with several companions. When the boat collided with the berg, we were thrown from the bench on which we were sitting.”

His eyewitness account offers a chilling perspective on the unfolding disaster:

Initial collision and confusion
Gradual realization of the severity of the situation
The chaotic evacuation process
His decision to jump from the ship
His rescue by an overturned lifeboat

Survival and Aftermath

Edward Dorkings survived the sinking, possibly on Collapsible B. Upon arrival in New York aboard the Carpathia, he was described as a 19-year-old unmarried laborer.

Vaudeville Career

In the months following the disaster, Dorkings capitalized on his survivor status:

Booked appearances at theaters, including the Princeton Theatre
Traveled extensively, giving lectures about his Titanic experience
Described his profession as “Vaudeville” when re-entering the USA in September 1912

Later Life and Challenges

Dorkings’ life after the Titanic was marked by both adventure and hardship:

Enlisted in the US Army in May 1917
Began a career as a seaman, traveling to places like Shanghai and Honolulu
Applied for US citizenship in 1928
Suffered from various ailments, including arthritis, by age 40
Openly gay, which was challenging in that era
Struggled with alcoholism

Final Years and Legacy

Edward Arthur Dorkings’ later years were marked by decline:

Became estranged from his family
Spent his final days incarcerated on Terminal Island, San Pedro, California
Died on April 12, 1954, at the age of 60 (sixty)
Cremated and buried in an unmarked grave in Los Angeles

Despite the challenges he faced, Dorkings’ detailed account of the Titanic disaster remains a valuable historical record, offering insights into one of the most infamous maritime tragedies of the 20th century.