Frederick Sage

Who was Mr Frederick Sage?

Mr Frederick Sage was a 16 (sixteen) year-old English cook and third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on July 6, 1895, in Hackney, London, Frederick was part of the eleven-member Sage family, all of whom tragically perished in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Large and Close-Knit Family

Frederick Sage was born into a large family, the fourth of nine children. His parents were:

• Father: John George Sage (b. 1867), a corn chandler from Hackney
• Mother: Elizabeth Ann Cazaly (b. 1865), originally from Wolverhampton, Staffordshire

The Sage siblings, in order of birth, were:

1. Stella Anna (b. 1891)
2. George John (b. 1892)
3. Douglas Bullen (b. 1893)
4. Frederick Sage (b. 1895)
5. Dorothy Florence (b. 1897)
6. Anthony William (b. 1899)
7. Elizabeth Ada (b. 1901)
8. Constance Gladys (b. 1904)
9. Thomas Henry (b. 1907)

Relocations and Early Years

The Sage family’s life was marked by several relocations:

• Circa 1900: The family moved from London to Norfolk
• 1901: They were living in Gaywood, Norfolk, where John Sage worked as a publican at the New Inn
• 1911: The family resided at 246 Gladstone Street in Peterborough, Northamptonshire

Career and Aspirations

Frederick’s Early Work Experience

By the time of the 1911 census, Frederick, then 15 (fifteen) years old, was described as an assistant labourer. He later found employment as a cook at the Great Northern Hotel in Peterborough, gaining experience that would prove valuable in his future endeavors.

The Family’s American Dream

In April 1911, a pivotal moment occurred for the Sage family:

• Frederick’s father and elder brother George traveled to Winnipeg, Manitoba
• They worked as cooks with the Central Pacific Railway
• After saving money, John Sage purchased a fruit farm in Jacksonville, Florida
• The farm was intended for pecan cultivation

This venture set the stage for the entire family’s planned relocation to America, a dream that would ultimately lead them to book passage on the Titanic.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding the Titanic

The Sage family’s Titanic journey was marked by last-minute changes and poignant farewells:

• Originally booked to sail on the Philadelphia
• A coal strike forced them to change their booking to the Titanic
• They bid farewell to many well-wishers before departing
• Traveled by train to Southampton
• Boarded the Titanic on April 10, 1912, as third-class passengers

Ticket Details

• Ticket Number: 2343
• Cost: £69 11s (69 pounds, 11 shillings)
• Class: Third Class

The Sinking and the Sage Family’s Fate

What Happened to the Sage Family During the Sinking?

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the Sage family managed to reach the deck in the final moments before the Titanic sank. A particularly heart-wrenching report indicates that Stella Sage had initially gotten into a lifeboat but chose to leave when other family members couldn’t join her.

Tragically, all eleven members of the Sage family, including 16-year-old Frederick, perished in the disaster. In a cruel twist of fate, only the body of Anthony William Sage was recovered from the icy Atlantic waters.

Legacy

The story of Frederick Sage and his family serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. Their tragic tale exemplifies the dreams of many third-class passengers seeking a better life in America, dreams that were cruelly cut short on that fateful night of April 15, 1912.

Frederick’s brief life, from his early years in London to his final moments on the Titanic, paints a picture of a young man on the cusp of a new adventure, embarking on a journey that promised a fresh start but instead became part of one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies.