Helen Loraine Allison

Who was Miss Helen Loraine Allison?

Miss Helen Loraine Allison was a young Canadian passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on June 5, 1909, she was just 2 (two) years old when she tragically perished in the sinking of the great ship. Loraine, as she was known, holds the somber distinction of being the only child from first and second class to lose her life in the disaster.

Early Life and Family

A Privileged Beginning

Helen Loraine Allison was born into a wealthy Canadian family. Her parents were:

• Hudson Joshua Creighton Allison (father)
• Bess Waldo Allison (mother)

Loraine also had a younger brother named Hudson Trevor Allison. The family’s affluence allowed them to travel in first-class accommodations on the Titanic, a testament to their social standing and financial means.

The Fateful Voyage

Embarking on a Tragic Journey

On April 10, 1912, the Allison family boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton, England. They were assigned to cabin C22/26, a spacious first-class accommodation befitting their status. The family’s ticket number was 113781, and they paid a substantial fare of £151 16s (equivalent to £151.80 in decimal currency) for their passage.

A Nursemaid’s Crucial Role

Accompanying the Allisons on their journey was Alice Catherine Cleaver, employed as a nursemaid for young Trevor. Another employee, Sarah Daniels, was also traveling with the family, highlighting their privileged lifestyle.

The Night of April 14, 1912

Chaos and Confusion

When the Titanic struck the iceberg on that fateful night, chaos ensued. In the confusion, Trevor went missing along with his nurse, Alice Cleaver. This turn of events would prove crucial in the family’s fate.

“When the Allisons realized that Alice Cleaver and baby Trevor were unaccounted for, they resolved that they would not leave the Titanic until after Trevor was found, nor would they be parted from little Loraine.”

A Family’s Tragic Decision

The Allisons’ decision to stay together and search for Trevor ultimately sealed their fate. Eyewitness accounts place the family standing together on the promenade deck as the ship sank into the icy Atlantic waters.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Sorrowful Distinction

Loraine Allison’s death at the tender age of 2 (two) years and 10 months stands out in the annals of Titanic history. She was the only child from the first and second-class passengers to perish in the disaster, a stark contrast to the heavy toll among third-class children.

Grim Statistics

The loss of young Loraine highlights the disparity in survival rates among the ship’s classes:

• First and Second Class: 1 child lost (Loraine Allison)
• Third Class: 53 out of 76 children perished

The Search for Closure

Tragically, Loraine’s body was never recovered from the Atlantic, denying her family and loved ones the closure of a proper burial. This absence has contributed to her enduring place in Titanic lore and the ongoing fascination with her family’s story.

Reflections on a Life Cut Short

Helen Loraine Allison’s brief life and tragic death serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. Her story, intertwined with her family’s fateful decision, continues to captivate historians and Titanic enthusiasts more than a century later. In the end, Loraine’s tale is not just about a historic maritime tragedy, but about the bonds of family and the heartbreaking choices made in moments of crisis.