Escott Robert Phillips

Who was Escott Robert Phillips?

Escott Robert Phillips was a 43-year-old (forty-three) Welsh passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on November 24, 1868, in Cardiff, Wales, Phillips was a widower and father who had embarked on a journey to start a new life in America with his daughter, Alice Frances Louisa. Tragically, he perished in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912, after ensuring his daughter’s safety on a lifeboat.

Early Life and Family

Welsh Roots and Family Background

Escott Robert Phillips was born into a family with both Welsh and English connections. His parents were:

• Father: James Page Phillips (1830-1883), a police constable originally from Barnstaple, Devonshire
• Mother: Charlotte Phillips (b. 1841), from Ilfracombe, Devonshire

The couple married in early 1866 in Ilfracombe before settling in Cardiff, where Escott was born. He had three siblings:

• William (b. 1867)
• James (b. 1871)
• Frances (b. 1876)

Childhood and Relocations

The Phillips family’s early years were marked by several moves:

1. 1871: The family resided at 2 Windsor Road, St Mary, Cardiff.
2. 1881: They relocated to Ilfracombe, Devon, where Escott’s father was described as a naval pensioner.

Career and Personal Life

Professional Journey

Escott Phillips demonstrated versatility in his career, taking on various roles in the hospitality industry:

• Shop porter
• Hotel porter
• Cellarman
• Barman at the Royal Clarence Hotel

Marriage and Family

In 1890, at the age of 22 (twenty-two), Escott married Hannah Maria Knight (b. 1868), also from Cardiff. The couple had one child:

• Alice Frances Louisa, born on January 26, 1891

The family’s residences over the years included:

• 1891: 85 High Street, Ilfracombe
• 1901: 9 Belvedere, Ilfracombe
• 1911: 23 Westbourne Grove, Ilfracombe

From 1904, Hannah ran a boarding house at their Westbourne Grove address.

The Decision to Emigrate

Tragedy and New Beginnings

In 1911, tragedy struck the Phillips family:

• Hannah fell ill with tuberculosis
• She passed away in August of that year

Following this loss, Escott made the decision to emigrate to America with his daughter. His reasons for choosing America included:

1. His brother William had already settled there in 1892
2. William lived in New Brighton near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his family
3. Escott had secured a position as a factory foreman in the area

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Titanic

The Phillips’ journey to America took an unexpected turn:

1. They initially booked passage on the American Line’s Philadelphia
2. Due to a coal strike, their booking was transferred to the Titanic
3. On April 9, 1912, Escott and Alice left Ilfracombe by train for Southampton
4. They embarked on the Titanic on April 10, 1912

Titanic Experience

Escott and Alice’s Titanic experience was documented through letters and postcards:

• Ticket Details:

  • Ticket number: 2
  • Cost: £21
  • Class: Second Class

• On-board Experience:

  • They made friends with a family of four who shared their dining table
  • Escott and Alice were assigned to different cabins

Final Communications

Escott sent two notable communications during the voyage:

1. A letter to his mother in Ilfracombe, mentioning their stop at Cherbourg and upcoming call at Queenstown
2. A postcard to his friend Bill Squires, dated April 11, 1912, which is now an exhibit at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

The Sinking and Escott’s Fate

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic was sinking:

1. Escott went to his daughter’s cabin to fetch her
2. They likely went to the deck, returned for lifebelts, then went back to the boat deck
3. Escott ensured Alice’s safety by helping her into a lifeboat
4. He remained behind on the ship and was lost in the disaster

Escott Robert Phillips, at the age of 43 (forty-three), perished in the Titanic disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving a poignant legacy of paternal sacrifice in one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies.