Ethel Flora Fortune

Who was Miss Ethel Flora Fortune?

Miss Ethel Flora Fortune was a 28 (twenty-eight) year-old Canadian first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 22, 1883, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she was known for her strong personality and was described by her grandson as “one of those headstrong women who sets their own goals and then pursues them vigorously.”

Early Life and Family

Ethel Flora Fortune was born into the prominent Fortune family of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her parents were Mark and Mary Fortune, and she had three younger siblings: Mabel, Alice, and Charles. Growing up in a wealthy Canadian family, Ethel enjoyed the privileges of upper-class society in the early 20th century.

A Grand Tour and Postponed Wedding

Why did Ethel postpone her wedding?

Ethel had already announced her engagement to Crawford Gordon I, a rising Toronto banker, when an exciting opportunity arose. Her parents invited her to join the family on a Grand Tour of Europe, a common practice among wealthy families of the era. Ethel made the decision to postpone her wedding for two primary reasons:

To shop for her trousseau in Europe
To chaperone her younger siblings during the trip

This decision would ultimately lead to her fateful journey on the Titanic.

Fashion and European Adventures

During her time in Europe, Ethel indulged in the latest fashions. In Paris, she purchased gowns from the leading fashion house, Worth, demonstrating her refined taste and the family’s affluence. This shopping spree was part of her preparation for her upcoming nuptials and showcased the luxury available to first-class passengers of the era.

The Titanic Journey

Titanic Boarding and Accommodations

Ethel boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger, accompanied by her parents and siblings. The Fortune family occupied cabins C-23-25-27, some of the most luxurious accommodations on the ship. Their ticket, number 19950, came at a steep price of £263, equivalent to over $30,000 in today’s currency.

A Near Miss with Disaster

Ethel’s survival story is one of narrow escapes and haunting memories. Initially, she didn’t take the evacuation seriously:

She thought getting into a lifeboat was a waste of time
She left her two sisters on deck to return to her cabin
A steward informed her that her mother had gone on deck
She was escorted to Lifeboat 10 just as it was being lowered

In a dramatic moment, Ethel had to jump into the lifeboat. “The people in the boat caught me,” she later recounted.

Traumatic Memories

As the Titanic sank, Ethel experienced a traumatic vision that would haunt her for the rest of her life. She believed she saw her brother Charles “in the water, life jacket on, struggling to stay afloat.” However, this was likely a product of her distressed state, as it would have been too dark to see clearly, and the lifeboat was a mile away from the sinking site by that time.

Life After the Titanic

Marriage and Relocation

Ethel’s life after the Titanic disaster took several interesting turns:

1913: Married Crawford Gordon
1920: Moved to Jamaica
Later: Relocated to London, England when her husband became manager of the Bank of Commerce in the U.K.

Legacy Through Her Son

Ethel’s firstborn son, Crawford Gordon II, achieved significant success in the aviation industry:

Became head of the Canadian aircraft manufacturing plant A. V. Roe
In the 1950s, was responsible for producing the prototype of the Avro Arrow aircraft
The Avro Arrow was considered the world’s most advanced military aircraft at the time

Final Years and Resting Place

Ethel Flora Gordon (née Fortune) passed away on March 22, 1961, in Toronto at the age of 77 (seventy-seven). She is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Section 29, Lot 664, where her remarkable life story and connection to one of history’s most famous maritime disasters is remembered.

Ethel’s life, from her luxurious upbringing to her harrowing Titanic experience and subsequent achievements, exemplifies the resilience and strength of Titanic survivors. Her story continues to fascinate historians and Titanic enthusiasts, offering a personal glimpse into the lives affected by this monumental historical event.