George Rice

Who was Master George Rice?

Master George Rice was a young Canadian passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on November 30, 1903, in Montréal, Québec, George was just 8 (eight) years old when he embarked on his final journey. He was one of five surviving sons in the Rice family, traveling with his mother and brothers in third class on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

Early Life and Family

A Multicultural Heritage

George Rice came from a diverse background:

Father: William Rice (born 1876), an English native from Surrey
Mother: Margaret Norton (born 1872), an Irish woman from Athlone
Parents married: June 18, 1898, in Ireland

Siblings and Tragedy

George was one of six sons born to William and Margaret:

William (1898-1898)
Albert (born 1902)
George (1903-1912)
Eric (born 1905)
Arthur (born 1907)
Francis (born 1909)

Tragically, the eldest brother William died at less than two months old, choking on his pacifier. This early loss would foreshadow the later tragedy that would befall the family.

A Life of Movement

From Ireland to Canada

The Rice family’s journey was marked by frequent relocations:

Ireland: Where William and Margaret met and married
London: A brief stay in William’s native country
Montréal, Québec: George’s birthplace
Ontario: The family’s next Canadian home

American Dreams

In January 1909, the Rice family crossed into the United States, settling in Spokane, Washington. George’s migration records describe him as having:

Dark complexion
Brown hair
Brown eyes

Tragedy Strikes Again

The family made their home in Hillyard, Spokane. However, tragedy struck on January 24, 1910, when William Rice, working as a laborer on Great Northern tracks, was crushed by an engine. He later died at the Sacred Heart Hospital, leaving Margaret a widow with five young sons.

Return to Ireland

Following the loss of William, the family returned to Ireland. The 1911 census shows them living at Castle Street in Athlone, Co Westmeath. This return to Margaret’s homeland was likely a move to be closer to family support.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why Did They Board the Titanic?

The Rice family’s stay in Ireland was not intended to be permanent. They made plans to return to Spokane, possibly influenced by others from their locality who were also making the Atlantic crossing aboard the Titanic.

Fellow Passengers from Athlone

The Rice family was not alone in their journey. Other passengers from the Athlone area included:

Eugene Daly
Bridget Mulvihill
Margaret Daly
Bridget Henry

Titanic Ticket Details

Ticket Number: 382652
Cost: £29, 2s, 6d
Class: Third Class
Embarkation Point: Queenstown

The Night of the Sinking

On the tragic night of April 14-15, 1912, Bridget Mulvihill, another passenger from Athlone, reported a heart-wrenching sight. She saw Mrs. Rice standing on either the boat deck or A-deck:

Mrs. Rice stood clutching her youngest son to her breast, with the other boys holding on to her skirts.

This poignant image captures the final moments of the Rice family aboard the Titanic.

The Aftermath

Tragically, the entire Rice family was lost in the sinking. Of the six family members aboard, only Mrs. Margaret Rice’s body (Body #12) was recovered by the Mackay Bennett.

George Rice’s Legacy

Although his life was cut tragically short at just 8 (eight) years old, George Rice’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. His journey, from his birth in Canada to his final voyage across the Atlantic, encapsulates the immigrant experience of the early 20th century and the dreams of a better life that were tragically cut short on that fateful night in April 1912.