Helen Ragnhild Ostby

Who was Helen Ragnhild Ostby?

Helen Ragnhild Ostby was a 22-year-old American first-class passenger and survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster. Born on November 30, 1889, in Providence, Rhode Island, she was the daughter of Engelhart Cornelius Østby and Lizzie May Webster. Helen’s remarkable life was shaped by her experiences on the Titanic and her subsequent adventures during two world wars.

Early Life and Family

Helen was born into a prominent family in Providence, Rhode Island. Her father, Engelhart Cornelius Østby, was a successful businessman in the jewelry industry. Tragically, Helen lost her mother, Lizzie May Webster, in 1899 when she was just 9 years old. This early loss would undoubtedly have had a profound impact on young Helen’s life.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Embarkation and Life Aboard

Helen and her father boarded the Titanic at Southampton, though Helen later recalled embarking at Cherbourg. This discrepancy highlights the confusion and trauma often associated with such momentous events. They were returning to America after an extensive tour of Europe and North Africa.

As first-class passengers, Helen and her father enjoyed luxurious accommodations. Helen occupied cabin B-36, a testament to their social status and wealth. She later reminisced about their time on board:

“Mostly, we just wandered around between meals enjoying the luxury and newness of it all. We always traveled on the White Star Line, so we could compare the Titanic with other ships of the company.”

The Night of the Disaster

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Helen had just fallen asleep when she felt the ship bump against something. Her vivid recollection provides a chilling account of the unfolding disaster:

“I sat up straight in bed, trying to make out what had happened. It seemed completely silent for a minute or two. The engines were cut off. The corridors were quiet until one began to hear doors open and voices speaking.”

Helen’s quick thinking in those crucial moments may have saved her life. She put on minimal clothing, instinctively understanding that too many layers could be a hindrance if she ended up in the water.

Lifeboat 5 and Survival

Helen and her father made their way to the boat deck, where they were separated. Helen was helped into Lifeboat 5, while her father went back to their cabin for warmer clothes. It was the last time she ever saw him.

The lowering of the lifeboat was a harrowing experience. Helen described it as “unpleasant,” noting the difficulty the crew had in keeping the boat level. From the safety of the lifeboat, Helen witnessed the Titanic’s final moments:

“As the ship began to stand on end, we heard a big rumbling, rattling noise as if everything was being torn from its moorings inside the ship. All of a sudden that stopped, and she stood on end very quietly for a minute, then went down like an arrow.”

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath and Return to Providence

After being rescued by the Carpathia, Helen returned to Providence and became involved in the family business, Ostby & Barton. In 1914, she became a joint owner along with her brother Harold and his daughter.

World War I and European Adventures

Helen’s adventurous spirit led her back to Europe in 1914. When World War I broke out, she managed a daring escape through Flanders, arriving in Liège on the same day as the German Army. She eventually made her way back to America via England.

Interwar Years and World War II

In 1930, Helen returned to Europe, living in Brussels for ten years. Her second brush with world-altering events came with the outbreak of World War II. In May 1940, she awoke to German bombs falling on Belgium. After enduring five months of German occupation, Helen fled to Lisbon and eventually returned to America in January 1941.

Legacy and Later Life

Helen never married, despite having many admirers. She remained in Rhode Island for the rest of her life, working as a volunteer at Rhode Island Hospital. Her experiences on the Titanic and during both World Wars shaped her into a resilient and adventurous woman.

Helen Ragnhild Ostby passed away on May 15, 1978, at the age of 88 (eighty-eight). She was laid to rest near her father at Swan Point in Providence, a fitting end to a life marked by both tragedy and perseverance.

Helen’s story serves as a testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure and thrive in the face of unimaginable adversity. Her eyewitness account of the Titanic disaster provides invaluable insights into one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies, while her subsequent life adventures paint a picture of a woman who refused to be defined by a single, albeit momentous, event.