Ellen Bird

Who was Miss Ellen Bird?

Miss Ellen Bird was a 31-year-old (thirty-one) English personal maid who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. She gained notoriety for her connection to the wealthy Straus family and her poignant experiences during the disaster.

Early Life and Family

Ellen Bird was born on April 8, 1881, in Old Buckenham, Norfolk, England. She came from a large family, being one of eleven children born to Samuel Bird, a farmer and shepherd, and Mary Ann Clarke. Her childhood was spent in rural Norfolk, where her family had deep roots.

Siblings and Family Life

Ellen’s ten siblings were:

• George (b. 1862)
• Samuel (b. 1864)
• Sarah (b. 1868)
• Emma (b. 1870)
• Anna (b. 1872)
• Eliza (b. 1874)
• Benjamin (b. 1876)
• Mary (b. 1878)
• Abigail (b. 1883)
• William (b. 1885)

Growing up in a large family likely instilled in Ellen the skills of adaptability and hard work that would serve her well in her future career.

Early Career and Path to the Titanic

How did Ellen Bird begin her working life?

Like many young women of her time and social class, Ellen entered domestic service at an early age. By 1901, at just 20 years old, she was working as a general domestic in Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey, far from her rural Norfolk roots.

Employment with the Straus Family

In early 1912, Ellen was living in London when a life-changing opportunity arose. She was hired by Mrs. Ida Straus, wife of Isidor Straus, co-owner of Macy’s Department Store. The Strauses had been in Europe since January and were preparing to return to New York. They had initially sought a French maid but settled on hiring Ellen after their previous British maid left at the last minute.

The Titanic Journey

Ellen boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, accompanying the Straus family. Her accommodation details were as follows:

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic was sinking, Ellen experienced a heart-wrenching moment with Mrs. Straus. As passengers were being loaded into lifeboats, Mrs. Straus made the decision to remain with her husband rather than save herself. In a poignant gesture, she gave Ellen her fur coat, saying she wouldn’t need it anymore.

“Take this, Ellen. I won’t need it anymore.” - Ida Straus to Ellen Bird

Encouraged by the Strauses, Ellen boarded Lifeboat 8 and was saved. Tragically, both Isidor and Ida Straus, along with their manservant John Farthing, perished in the disaster.

Life After the Titanic

What happened to Ellen immediately after the disaster?

After being rescued, Ellen attempted to return Mrs. Straus’ fur coat to the family, specifically to Sara Straus Hess, the Strauses’ eldest daughter. However, Sara insisted that Ellen keep the coat, honoring her mother’s final gift.

Post-Titanic Employment

Following the disaster, Ellen found employment with the Spedden family of Tuxedo Park, New York, who had also survived the Titanic. Interestingly, the Speddens had traveled to Europe on the same ship as the Strauses earlier in 1912.

Marriage and Family Life

On June 3, 1914, Ellen married Julian Edward Beattie, a London-born yacht captain who also worked in the hotel trade. The couple had one daughter, Gwendolyn, born on June 29, 1915. Tragically, Gwendolyn passed away on September 8, 1917, just after her second birthday.

Later Years and Legacy

Ellen and her husband lived in various places, including New Jersey and Boston. She worked for several prominent families in Newport, Rhode Island. On September 11, 1949, at the age of 68 (sixty-eight), Ellen Bird Beattie passed away in a Newport rest home. She was buried in Acushnet Cemetery, Bristol, Massachusetts.

Ellen Bird’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies and moments of human kindness that emerged from the Titanic disaster. Her survival and the touching gesture of Ida Straus giving her the fur coat have become part of the rich tapestry of Titanic lore, ensuring that her name lives on in the annals of maritime history.