Ernest Portage Tomlin

Who was Ernest Portage Tomlin?

Ernest Portage Tomlin was a 21-year-old Canadian scholar and aspiring minister who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Tomlin was a dedicated student at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, pursuing his dream of entering the ministry before his untimely death.

Early Life and Family

Ernest Portage Tomlin was born on September 29, 1890, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. He was the son of English parents, Edwin Tomlin and Harriet Levinia Statham, who had married in Kensington, London in 1878. His father was a baker who later established his own business in Notting Hill, London.

Tomlin was one of ten children, with seven surviving infancy. His known siblings were:

• William (b. 1879)
• Edwin (b. November 14, 1883)
• Lillie (b. 1887)
• Grace (b. 1891)
• Albert (b. 1895)
• Mary (b. 1896)

Interestingly, Ernest was the only one of his siblings born in Canada, and the reasons for his family’s presence there at the time remain uncertain.

Education and Early Career

On January 11, 1897, Tomlin was enrolled in the St Clement’s Road School in west London, which his other siblings also attended. The 1901 census shows the family residing at 39 St Ann’s Road, Notting Hill, alongside several of his father’s employees.

In August 1907, at the age of 16 (sixteen), Tomlin embarked on a life-changing journey. Accompanied by his friend Harry Cook, he left British shores aboard the Majestic, bound for the United States. Upon arrival in New York, he was described as a clerk standing 5'7" tall, with brown hair, grey eyes, and a fair complexion.

What led Ernest Tomlin to Drake University?

Tomlin’s destination was Des Moines, Iowa, where he planned to stay with a friend, Reverend J. N. Williams. With aspirations of entering the ministry, Tomlin enrolled at The Bible College of Drake University. He quickly proved himself to be an exceptional student, tackling challenging courses such as:

• Advanced arithmetic
• Physics
• Botany
• Hebrew history
• Latin

His academic prowess and dedication to his studies set him apart as an A-grade student.

Travels and Return to England

In January 1910, Tomlin made a return visit to England, traveling aboard the New York. Interestingly, this very ship would narrowly avoid a collision with the Titanic two years later. When Tomlin returned to the USA on April 7, 1910, aboard the St Louis, records noted that he had grown three inches since his last entry into the country, now standing at 6 feet tall.

Tragedy struck the Tomlin family when Ernest’s father passed away on January 20, 1911, at their home in Notting Hill. There are conflicting reports about whether Ernest returned to Britain for his father’s funeral or if he came back later due to his own health issues. The latter scenario seems more likely, as Ernest does not appear on the 1911 census with his family.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

By early 1912, Tomlin had decided to return to Drake University to complete his degree. He purchased a third-class passage on the Titanic (ticket number 364499, which cost £8, 1s) and was traveling alone.

What were Ernest Tomlin’s last known communications?

The Des Moines Register (April 17, 1912) revealed that Tomlin had written two letters to friends in England shortly before his departure:

1. To Will Mander from Birmingham:

   “I received a letter from Ernest last week, stating that he was sailing for America on April 10, from Southampton,” said Mr Mander. “We find that the Titanic was the only boat that left Southampton on that date and have every reason to believe that he was one of the passengers. I believe that he travelled third class.”

2. To A. H. “Harry” Cook:

   “I came over from England with Mr Tomlin four years ago to study at Drake University,” said Mr Cook. “He attended school at Drake for more than two years and left for home last year on account of sickness. We have every reason to believe that he was a passenger on the Titanic.”

The Tragic Discovery

As hopes faded for Tomlin’s survival, confirmation of his fate came on April 21, 1912, when his body was discovered floating near the scene of the tragedy by the ship Mackay-Bennett. His body was the fiftieth recovered and was buried at sea on the same day.

The Webster City Freeman (April 23, 1912) reported:

“The body of Ernest Tomlin, the Drake Student who was drowned on the ill-fated Titanic, was among the first to be recovered by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett yesterday. Tomlin left Southampton last week to return to the local institution to complete his work for graduation this spring…”

Legacy and Remembrance

Ernest Portage Tomlin’s body and effects were described as follows:

• Body No.: 50
• Estimated Age: 30
• Hair: Fair
• Clothing: Black coat; no vest, blue striped flannel shirt
• Effects: Two pocket books; silver watch; pencil; papers, diary, fountain pen; comb; $87 in notes; £1 10s. in gold; and 2s. 9d.
• Third Class Ticket No.: 364424

A memorial service was held for Tomlin on May 1, 1912, at the University Place Church in Des Moines, where he was remembered fondly by his peers and professors.

In a touching final connection to his family, Tomlin had sent a postcard from the Titanic to his sister Lilly. This poignant artifact was later sold by the Tomlin family for £2,400 in 1992.

Ernest Portage Tomlin’s life, though cut tragically short, serves as a testament to the pursuit of education and spiritual growth. His story remains a poignant reminder of the many lives lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.