Emily Rugg

Who was Miss Emily Rugg?

Miss Emily Rugg was a 22-year-old (twenty-two) Channel Islander and Titanic survivor who embarked on a life-changing journey from her home in Guernsey to seek new opportunities in the United States. Born on December 19, 1889, in St Sampsons, Guernsey, Emily’s life would be forever marked by her experience aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic and her subsequent survival.

Early Life and Family

A Guernsey Upbringing

Emily Rugg was born into a working-class family in the picturesque island of Guernsey. Her father, William Henry Rugg, worked as a carter, while her mother, Rachel Selina Bougard, tended to their growing family. Emily was one of six children, with siblings:

• Rita May (b. 1887)
• Violet Louisa (b. 1892)
• William James (b. 1894)
• Ernest John (b. 1896)
• Wilfred (b. 1898)

The Rugg family’s modest lifestyle was typical of many Guernsey families at the turn of the 20th century. They resided at Brock Road in St Sampson, as recorded in the 1891 and 1901 censuses, before moving to Bus Road in Vale, Guernsey, by 1911.

Early Career and Ambitions

As a young woman, Emily sought to contribute to her family’s income. The 1911 census reveals that while her family remained in Vale, Emily had secured employment as a servant at Duncreggan Delancey in Guernsey. She worked for Mr. and Mrs. Frank Higgs, who were fruit growers, gaining valuable experience in domestic service.

The Fateful Voyage

A New Opportunity Across the Atlantic

Emily’s life took an exciting turn when she was presented with an opportunity to work in the United States. Her destination was Wilmington, Delaware, where her relatives owned a store. This chance to start anew in America was a dream shared by many young Europeans of her time.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, Emily Rugg boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. Her ticket, number 31026, cost £10 10s (ten pounds, ten shillings), a significant sum that represented her hopes and aspirations. Emily was not alone in her journey; she traveled with a group of fellow Guernsey passengers, including:

• William Douton
• Lillian Bentham
• Peter and Lillian Renouf
• Clifford Jefferys
• Ernest Jefferys
• Albert Denbuoy

The Night of the Sinking

Emily’s account of the Titanic’s sinking provides a vivid glimpse into that tragic night:

“I had been sleeping when the Titanic struck the iceberg. The impact wakened me. Looking out, I saw a mass of ice.”

Emily’s quick thinking and composure during the crisis were remarkable. She:

1. Threw on a coat and headed topside
2. Observed lifeboats being prepared
3. Returned to her cabin to awaken her two cabin mates
4. Made her way back to the deck

Emily found herself bundled into lifeboat 12, which she described as “a third from last lifeboat to be lowered.” Her recollection of an “Italian” jumping from the deck into her lifeboat, landing on a woman holding a baby, adds a dramatic detail to the chaotic scenes of that night.

A Haunting Memory

Despite the terror of the situation, Emily described the sight of the Titanic sinking as “one of the grandest sights she had ever witnessed,” with the ship’s lights still shining bright in the darkness. This poignant observation encapsulates the mix of awe and horror that many survivors experienced.

Life After the Titanic

Arrival in America

Emily arrived in New York aboard the Carpathia and was met by her uncle, Frederick W. Queripel, a Guernsey native who ran a grocery store in Wilmington, Delaware. She settled into life with her uncle and aunt, appearing with them in the 1920 census.

Career and Personal Life

Emily never married. For many years, she worked for Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nowland of Wilmington, as evidenced by the 1940 census. Her life in America was marked by hard work and community involvement.

Returning to Guernsey

Emily’s connection to her homeland remained strong. She made several return visits to Guernsey:

These visits always garnered local media attention, with Emily sharing her Titanic experiences. Interestingly, during her 1948 visit, she claimed that the taxi driver who met her on the Guernsey jetty had been a steward aboard the Titanic, adding an intriguing twist to her story.

Legacy and Final Years

Emily Rugg’s later life was characterized by her involvement in various community organizations:

• Member of Calvary Episcopal Church choir
• Member of the Delaware Chapter Order of the Eastern Star
• Member of the Ladies of St George

Following her aunt’s death in 1944, Emily lived with her cousin, Frederick Oliver, and his family at 1914 Delaware Avenue.

Emily Rugg passed away on July 8, 1958, at the age of 68 (sixty-eight), in the Delaware Hospital. She was laid to rest in Silverbrook Memorial Park, Wilmington, leaving behind a legacy as a Titanic survivor who built a new life in America while never forgetting her Guernsey roots.