Eric Rice

Who was Master Eric Rice?

Master Eric Rice was a young Canadian passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on August 24, 1905, in Carleton Place, Ontario, Eric was only 6 (six) years old when he perished in the tragic sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was traveling with his mother and four brothers as third-class passengers, embarking on a journey that would sadly become their last.

Early Life and Family

A Multicultural Heritage

Eric Rice was born into a family with diverse roots. His father, William Rice, was an English native from Surrey, born in 1876. His mother, Margaret Norton, hailed from Athlone, Ireland, and was born in 1872. The couple’s union was a result of William’s military service, as he was stationed in Ireland where he met Margaret, who worked in a factory. They married on June 18, 1898, beginning a family that would soon span two continents.

Siblings and Early Tragedy

Eric was one of six sons born to William and Margaret Rice:

William (1898-1898)
Albert (b. 1902)
George (b. 1903)
Eric (1905-1912)
Arthur (b. 1907)
Francis (b. 1909)

Tragically, the family’s first-born son, William, died in infancy after choking on his pacifier, living less than two months. This early loss marked the beginning of a series of challenging events for the Rice family.

The Rice Family’s Transcontinental Journey

From Ireland to Canada

After their marriage, William and Margaret Rice initially lived in London for a short period. Seeking new opportunities, the family embarked on a journey across the Atlantic, settling first in Montréal, Canada, before moving to Ontario, where Eric was born.

A New Life in the United States

In January 1909, when Eric was just 3 (three) years old, the Rice family crossed the border into the United States, making their home in Spokane, Washington. Immigration records from this time describe young Eric as having a dark complexion with brown hair and brown eyes.

Tragedy Strikes Again

The family settled in Hillyard, Spokane, where William found work as a laborer on the Great Northern tracks. However, tragedy struck once more on January 24, 1910, when William was crushed by an engine at work. He later succumbed to his injuries at the Sacred Heart Hospital, leaving Margaret a widow with five young sons to care for.

Return to Ireland and the Fateful Titanic Journey

A Brief Return to Roots

Following William’s death, the 1910 US census shows Eric, his mother, and siblings living at 435 Sheridan Street in Hillyard, Spokane. Soon after, the family decided to return to Ireland, where they had relatives. The 1911 Irish census records them living on Castle Street in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

The Decision to Return to America

It seems the stay in Ireland was not intended to be permanent. The Rice family, along with several others from their locality, made plans to return to Spokane. This decision led them to book passage on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic.

The Titanic Voyage

Embarkation and Fellow Passengers

Eric, his mother Margaret, and his four brothers boarded the Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) as third-class passengers. They traveled under ticket number 382652, which cost £29, 2s, 6d. Among their fellow passengers from the Athlone area were:

Eugene Daly
Bridget Mulvihill
Margaret Daly
Bridget Henry

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, a haunting scene was witnessed by fellow passenger Bridget Mulvihill. She reported seeing Mrs. Rice standing on either the boat deck or A-deck, clutching her youngest son to her breast, with her other boys holding onto her skirts.

The Tragic Outcome

Sadly, Eric Rice, along with his mother and all four of his brothers, perished in the sinking of the Titanic. The entire family was lost to the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. In the aftermath of the disaster, only Mrs. Rice’s body (Body #12) was recovered by the Mackay Bennett and identified.

Eric Rice’s short life, ending at just 6 (six) years old, serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His story, intertwined with those of his family members, reflects the broader narrative of immigration, hope, and tragedy that defines much of the Titanic’s legacy.