Gertrude Isabelle Hippach

Who was Miss Gertrude Isabelle Hippach?

Miss Gertrude Isabelle Hippach, better known as Jean, was a 17-year-old American first-class passenger and survivor of the Titanic disaster. Born on October 1, 1894 in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Louis Albert Hippach and Ida Sophia Fischer. Jean’s life was marked by tragedy, triumph, and a restless spirit that saw her traverse the globe in the years following her brush with death aboard the ill-fated liner.

Early Life and Family Tragedy

Jean grew up in a prominent Chicago family, her father being the co-owner of plate glass dealers Tyler & Hippach Co. She had three brothers: Robert Louis, Albert Archibald, and Howard Henry. However, tragedy struck the Hippach family on December 30, 1903, when Jean’s two elder brothers, Robert and Archibald, perished in the infamous Iroquois Theatre fire in Chicago. This devastating event claimed the lives of an estimated 575 people and left an indelible mark on the Hippach family.

A Fateful Journey: The Titanic Voyage

In January 1912, Jean and her mother embarked on a European tour. For their return journey to America, they boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg as first-class passengers. Their ticket (number 111361) cost £57, 19s, 7d, and they occupied cabin B18.

Jean’s experience on the Titanic was harrowing yet miraculous:

She slept through the initial impact with the iceberg
Jean and her mother initially thought they would be safer on the Titanic than in lifeboats
They were eventually persuaded to board Lifeboat 4 by Colonel John Jacob Astor
From their lifeboat, they witnessed the Titanic’s final moments and heard the cries of those in the water
They were rescued by the Carpathia and arrived in New York on April 18, 1912

Life After the Titanic

Further Tragedy and Travel

Undaunted by her brush with death, Jean continued to travel extensively. However, tragedy struck again in 1914 when her younger brother Howard was killed in a road accident. Despite these personal losses, Jean’s wanderlust persisted throughout her life.

Marriages and Family

On January 3, 1920, Jean married Hjalmar Egil Unander-Scharin in Chicago
The couple had three children: Howard Hjalmar, Jean, and Louise Diana
Jean divorced Unander-Scharin in 1930, citing infidelity
She remarried on January 25, 1942, to Dr. Budd Clarke Corbus Jr.
Her second marriage lasted just over a year, ending in divorce in 1943

Later Years and Legacy

Jean’s later life was characterized by:

Continued world travel, appearing on passenger lists of numerous ocean liners
A reluctance to discuss the Titanic disaster, though she occasionally opened up to close friends and family
A love of dogs and a reputation for being an inept driver
Relocation to Osterville, Massachusetts in her final years

Jean Hippach passed away on November 14, 1974, at the age of 80 in Wianno, Massachusetts. She was laid to rest in Rosehill Cemetery in her native Chicago, alongside her parents and siblings.

Jean Hippach’s Titanic Experience

Detail	Information
Ticket Number	111361
Cabin	B18
Ticket Price	£57, 19s, 7d
Lifeboat	4
Boarding Location	Cherbourg
Class	First Class

Jean Hippach’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy. From the loss of her brothers to her survival of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters, Jean’s life was marked by both sorrow and adventure. Her legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s enduring impact on its survivors and their families.