Ethel Garside

Who was Miss Ethel Garside?

Miss Ethel Garside was an English nurse and Titanic survivor who demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout her life. Born on March 13, 1873, in Liverpool, Lancashire, she survived the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 and continued her adventurous spirit by traveling across the Atlantic multiple times in the following decades.

Early Life and Family

Ethel Garside was born into a family deeply rooted in Lancashire. Her parents were:

• Father: Joseph Frederick Garside (1846-1920), an engineer
• Mother: Mary Ellen Farrimond (1847-1922)

As the second eldest of six children, Ethel grew up in a bustling household. Her siblings included:

1. Eveline (b. 1871)
2. Edmund (b. 1875-1923)
3. Nellie (b. 1879)
4. Joseph Frederick (b. 1887-1922)
5. Marjory (b. 1889)

Where did the Garside family live?

The Garside family moved several times throughout Ethel’s childhood and early adulthood:

1. 1881: 22 Donigo Vale Street, Everton
   • Her father was described as an engineer with 75 employees
2. 1891: 21 Green Street, Waterloo
3. 1901: 88 Catford Hill, Lewisham, London
4. 1911: Oldshields, Burnt Heath, Ardleigh, Essex (Ethel’s parents)

Career and Titanic Journey

Ethel pursued a career in nursing, which led her to travel across the Atlantic several times. In April 1912, she was returning to New York after visiting her parents in Essex when she boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. Her ticket (number 243880) cost £13.

Titanic Survival

Miss Garside survived the sinking of the Titanic, possibly rescued by lifeboat 12 and picked up by the RMS Carpathia. While aboard the Carpathia, she attempted to send a telegram to her father, which unfortunately was never transmitted due to the overwhelming workload of the telegraphist:

Garside “Oldshields, Ardleigh, Essex, England Safe Ethel.

Post-Titanic Life

Immediate Aftermath

Upon arriving in New York, Ethel:

1. Received assistance from the Red Cross
   • They noted her loss of clothing, including uniforms
   • She suffered severely from shock and exposure, requiring hospital care
   • Received $400 in aid
2. Made a claim against the White Star Line for $502.46
   • This included the loss of 14 nurses’ dresses and a fitted surgical bag
3. Initially stayed at the St. Regis Hotel
4. Later resided with her cousin, Mrs. Charles Ellison (Dora Ashcroft), at 522 75th Street, Brooklyn, New York

Continued Travels

Undeterred by her harrowing experience on the Titanic, Ethel continued to travel extensively throughout the 1910s and 1920s. She sailed on several notable ships, including:

• Aquitania
• Mauretania
• Lapland
• Saxonia
• Adriatic

Later Life and Legacy

Ethel Garside never married. In her later years, she returned to England, settling on the Wirral near Birkenhead, Cheshire. Her final residence was at Moor Ridge, Gorse Lane, West Kirby, Cheshire.

Miss Garside passed away on March 25, 1953, at the age of 80 (eighty) in the Red Rocks Nursing Home in Hoylake, Cheshire. Her final arrangements included:

• Cremation at Landican Crematorium on March 28, 1953
• Ashes scattered in the Memorial Garden
• No entry in the Book of Remembrance

Her estate, valued at £7,805, 15s, 10d, was left to her unmarried sister Marjory.

Ethel Garside’s life stands as a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Despite experiencing one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history, she continued to cross the Atlantic numerous times, embodying resilience and a passion for her nursing career. Her story serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked individual tales of survival and perseverance in the wake of the Titanic tragedy.