Henry Blank

Who was Henry Blank?

Henry Blank was an American jeweller and Titanic survivor who played a significant role in the early days of the American jewellery industry. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 17, 1872, Blank rose from humble beginnings to become a successful businessman and a first-class passenger on the ill-fated RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage in 1912.

Early Life and Career

From Apprentice to Master Craftsman

Henry Blank’s journey in the jewellery trade began in Newark, New Jersey, where he moved as a teenager in search of better opportunities. His natural talent and dedication quickly caught the attention of his employers:

• Started working for a jewellery manufacturer in Newark
• Recognized for his artistic and mechanical abilities
• Apprenticed at the bench to become a goldsmith
• Became a platinumsmith before turning 21

Family Life and Business Ventures

In 1895, at the age of 23, Henry married Phoebe Eve Miller in Newark. Their union would result in a large family:

• Parents to six sons and one daughter
• Tragically lost one son to pneumonia at age 2

Blank’s career took an interesting detour when he briefly left the jewellery business to work as a salesman for the Prudential Life Insurance Company. However, his passion for jewellery-making soon drew him back to the industry. He partnered with Newton E. Whiteside to form a limited partnership in Newark, marking the beginning of a successful business venture.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Unsinkable Ship

In the spring of 1912, Henry Blank embarked on a business trip to Europe, visiting watch movement manufacturers in Switzerland and stone dealers in various European cities. On his return journey, he made a fateful decision:

• Booked passage on the Titanic’s maiden voyage
• Embarked at Cherbourg as a first-class passenger
• Assigned Cabin A-31, with a ticket price of £31

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, Blank’s experience aboard the Titanic took a dramatic turn:

1. Spent the evening in the first-class smoking room playing cards
2. Felt a “slight jar” when the ship struck the iceberg at 11:40 p.m.
3. Initially unconcerned, but later witnessed water entering the ship on F deck
4. Among the first to arrive on the starboard Boat Deck
5. Assisted into Lifeboat 7, the first to be lowered from the sinking Titanic

Survival and Rescue

Blank’s account of the sinking provides a chilling firsthand perspective of the disaster:

“After we were some distance from the ship, I heard revolver shots on board, but I don’t know what part of the ship they came from. I was under the impressions, as were many in my boat, that everyone had escaped. When there arose a roar from the vessel herself and the screams of those passengers and crew still, I was almost overcome by the horror of the situation.”

The survivors in Lifeboat 7 were rescued by the Carpathia the following morning.

Life After the Titanic

Business Success and Personal Life

Following his return from the Titanic disaster, Henry Blank:

• Continued to prosper in his jewellery business
• Rarely discussed the Titanic tragedy
• Kept a White Star Line playing card as his only relic from the disaster
• Faced unfounded rumors about his escape from the ship
• Continued his love for opera and the arts

Legacy and Family

Henry Blank passed away on March 17, 1949, at the age of 76 (seventy-six). His legacy lives on through:

• Five children who lived to maturity (four boys and one girl)
• Descendants who continue to preserve his memory and artifacts
• A unique perspective on one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters

Henry Blank’s story serves as a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the complex legacy of the Titanic’s survivors. From his humble beginnings to his harrowing experience aboard the Titanic and his subsequent success, Blank’s life encapsulates a remarkable chapter in early 20th-century American history.