Elizabeth Ada Sage

Who was Miss Elizabeth Ada Sage?

Miss Elizabeth Ada Sage was a 10 (ten) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on November 9, 1901, in Wooton, Norfolk, England, she was one of nine children in the Sage family who tragically perished during the ship’s maiden voyage in 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Large and Close-Knit Family

Elizabeth Ada Sage was born into a large family, the daughter of John George Sage and Elizabeth Ann Cazaly. Her parents, who married in 1890, had a total of nine children:

• Stella Anna (b. 1891)
• George John (b. 1892)
• Douglas Bullen (b. 1893)
• Frederick (b. 1895)
• Dorothy Florence (b. 1897)
• Anthony William (b. 1899)
• Elizabeth Ada (b. 1901)
• Constance Gladys (b. 1904)
• Thomas Henry (b. 1907)

Early Years in Norfolk

Elizabeth spent her first years in Norfolk, where her father worked as the publican of the New Inn in Gaywood. This rural setting likely provided a lively and bustling environment for young Elizabeth and her siblings.

Education and Family Relocation

Peterborough and Schooling

By 1911, the Sage family had moved to 246 Gladstone Street in Peterborough, Northamptonshire. The census of that year describes Elizabeth’s father as a baker and Elizabeth herself as a schoolgirl. At just 9 years old, Elizabeth was receiving her primary education in this new urban setting.

The Family’s American Dream

A Father’s Ambition

In April 1911, Elizabeth’s father and elder brother George embarked on a journey that would change the family’s trajectory forever. They traveled to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where both worked as cooks with the Central Pacific Railway.

Florida Bound

After months of hard work, Mr. Sage and his son had saved enough money to pursue a new venture. They purchased a fruit farm in Jacksonville, Florida, with the intention of cultivating pecans. This bold move represented the family’s aspirations for a new life in America.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Change of Plans

Originally, the Sage family was scheduled to travel aboard the Philadelphia. However, a coal strike forced a change of plans, leading them to book passage on the Titanic instead.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, after bidding farewell to well-wishers, the entire Sage family boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers. Their ticket, number 2343, cost £69 11s, a significant sum for a family of their means.

The Tragic Night of April 14-15, 1912

A Family’s Final Moments

As the Titanic struck the iceberg and began to sink, it’s believed that the Sage family managed to reach the deck. Reports suggest that Elizabeth’s sister Stella had initially gotten into a lifeboat but left it when other family members were unable to join her.

A Heartbreaking Loss

In a tragic turn of events, the entire Sage family, including 10-year-old Elizabeth Ada, was lost in the sinking. Out of the eleven family members aboard, only the body of Anthony William was recovered.

Elizabeth Ada Sage’s Legacy

While Elizabeth Ada Sage’s life was cut tragically short, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. The Sage family’s journey, from their humble beginnings in Norfolk to their ill-fated quest for a new life in America, encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of many third-class passengers aboard the Titanic.

Today, Elizabeth Ada Sage is remembered not only as a victim of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters but as a symbol of the innocence and potential lost on that fateful night in April 1912. Her story continues to touch hearts and serves as a powerful testament to the human cost of the Titanic tragedy.