George Achilles Harder

Who was George Achilles Harder?

George Achilles Harder was an American businessman and Titanic survivor who gained notoriety for his eyewitness account of the ship’s sinking and his subsequent life as a survivor. Born on October 22, 1886, in Brooklyn, New York, Harder was 25 years old when he boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic as a first-class passenger with his newlywed wife, Dorothy.

Early Life and Family

George Achilles Harder was born into a family with French roots. His father, Victor Achilles Harder (1847-1914), was a manufacturer of plumbing materials, while his mother was Minnie Mehl (1853-1934), originally from Alsace. George had one full sibling, Hortense (1890-1980), and two half-siblings from his father’s previous marriage: Victor Achilles (1869-1941) and Emelia Julia (1872-1924).

Education and Career

As a young man, George pursued his education with vigor:

• Attended college (as noted in the 1905 census)
• Graduated from the Pratt Institute
• Joined Essex Foundry in 1909, where his father was President
• Later became chairman of Central Foundry until 1938

By 1910, George had established himself as a realtor, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding and Accommodation

On January 8, 1912, George married Dorothy Annan. The couple embarked on a three-month honeymoon in Europe, which culminated in their fateful decision to book passage on the Titanic. They boarded the ship at Cherbourg as first-class passengers, occupying cabin E-50. Their ticket (number 11765) cost £55, 8s, 10d, a considerable sum at the time.

The Sinking and Rescue

George Harder’s account of the Titanic’s sinking provides a vivid and harrowing picture of that tragic night. He recalled:

“It was not so heavy as to even wake up a great many passengers, and I might say right there that many of them never knew of the collision, and I believe sank while asleep.”

Harder and his wife were among the fortunate few to secure a place on a lifeboat. They were rescued in lifeboat 5, one of the first to be launched from the starboard side of the ship. In a remarkable twist of fate, the couple managed to save three items from their cabin:

1. Mrs. Harder’s fur coat
2. A bottle of brandy
3. A button hook for Mrs. Harder’s shoes

These items remain in the family’s possession to this day, serving as tangible links to that fateful night.

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

Following their rescue, the Harders were photographed aboard the Carpathia by Miss Bernice Palmer, creating an iconic image of Titanic survivors. George participated in honoring the bravery of Captain Rostron and the Carpathia’s crew, and he testified before the US Senate Investigative Committee.

Family Life

George and Dorothy settled in Manhattan and had two daughters:

• Dorothy (1913-1973)
• Jean (1915-1991)

Tragically, Dorothy Harder passed away in 1926 due to kidney ailments. On February 28, 1928, George remarried Elizabeth Peebles Rhodes, with whom he had two sons:

• George Achilles (1930-1989)
• James D. Rhodes (1931-2009)

Later Years and Legacy

Despite the notoriety of being a Titanic survivor, George Harder struggled with the stigma associated with male survivors of the disaster. He rarely spoke of his experiences, only opening up to his daughters in his final years.

George Achilles Harder passed away on May 26, 1959, at the age of 72 (seventy-two) in New York City. He was laid to rest in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, remarkably close to the grave of Wyckoff Van der Hoef, another Titanic passenger who perished in the sinking.

George Harder’s life story serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s lasting impact on its survivors. His eyewitness account continues to provide valuable insights into one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history, while his personal journey highlights the complex emotions and challenges faced by those who lived to tell the tale.