Helen Alice Wilson

Who was Miss Helen Alice Wilson?

Miss Helen Alice Wilson was a 33-year-old Irish personal maid who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on February 12, 1879, in Clonberne, Co. Galway, Ireland, she served as a maid to the wealthy Frederic Oakley Spedden family and traveled extensively with them before boarding the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Family

Helen Alice Wilson was born into an Irish family in Dunmore, near Tuam in Co Galway. Her parents were Patrick Wilson and Ellenor Feeney. Helen was one of nine known siblings:

Mary (b. 1862)
Patrick (b. 1866)
Bridget (b. 1867)
Mathias (b. 1870)
Thomas (b. 1873)
Ellen (b. 1875)
Peter (b. 1877)
Helen Alice (b. 1879)
Margaret (b. 1882)

Journey to America and Employment

Helen first arrived in the United States between 1904 and 1906, seeking new opportunities in a foreign land. Her life took a significant turn in 1908 when she secured a position as a maid for the affluent Frederic Oakley Spedden family of Tuxedo Park, New York.

Travels with the Speddens

With the Spedden family, Helen embarked on extensive travels that took her across Europe and North Africa. These journeys broadened her horizons and exposed her to diverse cultures and experiences, a rarity for someone of her background in that era.

The Titanic Voyage

How did Helen Wilson come to be on the Titanic?

Following a trip to Egypt with the Speddens, Helen boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912. She was traveling first class with her employers:

Mr. and Mrs. Frederic O. Spedden
Their young son Douglas
Nursemaid Elizabeth Burns

Titanic Journey Details:

Ticket number: 16966
Ticket cost: £134, 10s
Cabin: E39 or E41
Lifeboat: 3

The Fateful Night

Helen Wilson’s account of the Titanic disaster provides a chilling firsthand perspective of that tragic night. She described the scene:

“It was the most beautiful starlight night that I ever saw when we struck the iceberg. This I noticed especially after the lights of the ship had all sunk below the water…”

Her vivid recollection continues:

“I shall never forget the cries of anguish that went up from that ship as the life-boats pulled away. While we were being put into the boat there was a mad rush of some foreigners to get in, and two Italian men were shot dead before my eyes. The sight of floating bodies as we rowed away was horrible.”

Escape and Rescue

Helen and the Spedden family managed to escape in lifeboat 3. She recounted the harrowing experience of their rescue:

“The water was almost to our knees in the boat. We pulled away toward a light which we thought was on a vessel, but after four hours we saw that it was only a star. We feared when the Carpathia came up that we should be swamped by the waves after all our troubles but we were saved.”

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience impact Helen’s life?

The traumatic events of the Titanic sinking left an indelible mark on Helen. In her own words:

“I will never forget the awful experiences of that night. I wish I could sleep and wake up to find it was only a dream, but it was too real.”

Upon reaching New York, Helen stayed with the Speddens at the Hotel Seville. Her brother Peter traveled from Plainfield, New Jersey, to meet her there.

Marriage and Family

Within a few years of the Titanic disaster, Helen left her employment with the Speddens. She married Swedish sea captain Axel Johannes Rosenquist, who was born on November 7, 1877. The couple had two daughters:

Helen (b. 1917)
Esther (1920-1982, later Mrs. John F. Heinz, Jr.)

Later Years

The 1920 and 1930 censuses show the Rosenquist family living at 311 Plymouth Place, Merchantville, Camden, New Jersey. This would remain Helen’s home for the rest of her life.

Helen Wilson’s Legacy

Helen Wilson Rosenquist passed away on December 1, 1939, at the age of 60 (sixty), following a long illness. She was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery, Camden, New Jersey. Her husband Axel survived her by six years, passing away in 1945.

Helen’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human experiences behind the Titanic tragedy. Her journey from an Irish maid to a Titanic survivor and eventually a wife and mother in America encapsulates the social mobility and historical upheavals of her time. Her firsthand account of the disaster continues to provide valuable insights into one of the most infamous maritime tragedies in history.