Elizabeth Lindsey Lines

Who was Mrs Elizabeth Lindsey Lines?

Mrs Elizabeth Lindsey Lines was a 50-year-old (fifty-year-old) American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on June 15, 1861, in Burlington, New Jersey, she was the wife of Dr. Ernest Howard Lines, a prominent figure in the New York Life Insurance Company. Elizabeth’s remarkable journey on the Titanic and her subsequent survival make her a notable figure in the ship’s history.

Early Life and Family

Elizabeth Lindsey James, as she was born, came from a diverse background:

Father: Benjamin Lloyd James (born 1822), a Canadian-born grain merchant of Welsh descent
Mother: Ann Lindsey Langstrom (born 1829), a native of Pennsylvania
Siblings: Helen K. (born 1862) and Ann L. (born 1863)

Her parents married on August 22, 1860, in Burlington, New Jersey. The 1870 New Jersey census provides the first recorded glimpse of Elizabeth living with her family.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1889, Elizabeth married Dr. Ernest Howard Lines in Pennsylvania. Dr. Lines, born on October 22, 1859, was a New York native who became the president and medical director of the New York Life Insurance Company. The couple’s union brought forth two children:

Howard Burchard (1892-1916)
Mary Conover (1895-1975)

By 1900, the Lines family had established themselves in Manhattan, as evidenced by the census of that year. Their adventurous spirit led them to settle in Paris, France, and they became frequent transatlantic travelers.

The Titanic Journey

Why were Elizabeth and her daughter on the Titanic?

Elizabeth and her daughter Mary were traveling to the United States to attend her son Howard’s graduation from Dartmouth College. This momentous occasion would inadvertently lead them to become part of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Titanic Ticket Details:

Ticket Number: 17592
Class: First Class
Cabin: D28
Cost: £39 8s (equivalent to approximately £4,700 or $6,000 in 2021)

A Fateful Encounter

On Saturday, April 13, 1912, Mrs. Lines and her daughter experienced a notable interaction aboard the Titanic. After finishing lunch in the first-class dining room on D Deck, they stopped for coffee in the adjoining reception room, as was their custom. It was here that Elizabeth witnessed a conversation that would later become a point of historical interest:

Mrs. Lines recognized Mr. Bruce Ismay, whom she had known from their time in New York, sitting at a nearby table with Captain Smith. The two men were discussing the possibility of lighting the last boilers.

This observation provides a rare firsthand account of the ship’s operations and the interactions between key figures aboard the Titanic.

The Night of the Sinking

How did Elizabeth and Mary react to the Titanic’s collision?

When the Titanic struck the iceberg, Elizabeth and her daughter initially remained calm:

They were alarmed by the ship’s sudden stop and the noise of venting steam.
Their steward reassured them, advising them to stay in their cabin.
After some time, with the steward not returning, they became concerned.
A man from a neighboring cabin (possibly Percival White or his son Richard) alerted them to get dressed and helped them find their lifebelts.

The Rescue

Elizabeth and Mary’s escape from the sinking Titanic was dramatic:

They left their cabin half-dressed and made their way to the boat deck.
An officer tied their lifebelts, saying, “We are sending you out as a matter of precaution. We hope you will be back for breakfast.”
They were rescued in lifeboat 9.

Aboard the rescue ship Carpathia, Mrs. Lines was given a bunk, while her daughter slept on the floor with another girl of similar age.

Life After the Titanic

Despite their harrowing experience, Elizabeth and Mary managed to attend Howard’s graduation as planned before returning to Paris. However, tragedy would strike the family again:

During World War I, Elizabeth’s son Howard joined the Ambulance Service.
Howard was sent to the frontline at La Grange aux Bois.
On December 23, 1916, Howard died from pneumonia complicated by meningitis.
He was buried in Suresnes’ American Cemetery.

Later Years and Legacy

Elizabeth Lines continued to lead an active life after the Titanic disaster:

She and her husband traveled extensively around the globe.
In 1936, Elizabeth was widowed when Dr. Ernest Howard Lines passed away.
On December 17, 1942, at the age of 81 (eighty-one), Elizabeth died from pneumonia at her daughter Mary Wellman’s home in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
She was laid to rest alongside her husband in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Lindsey Lines’ story serves as a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors and provides valuable insights into the experiences of first-class passengers during one of history’s most famous maritime disasters. Her eyewitness account of the interactions between Captain Smith and Bruce Ismay adds a unique perspective to our understanding of the events leading up to the Titanic’s fateful collision.