Miss Lucile Polk Carter

Who was Lucile Polk Carter?

Miss Lucile Polk Carter was a 14 (fourteen) year-old American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on October 20, 1897, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the eldest child of wealthy parents William Ernest Carter and Lucile Stewart Polk. Lucile’s journey on the Titanic and her subsequent survival would shape her life and leave a lasting impact on her family.

Early Life and Background

What was Lucile’s family background?

Lucile Polk Carter came from a privileged background. Her father, William Ernest Carter, was the wealthy heir to a coal and iron baron, while her mother, Lucile Carter, came from an affluent family of insurance brokers in Baltimore. Lucile had one younger sibling, her brother William Thornton II Carter, born in 1900.

The Carter family’s wealth was evident in their lifestyle:

• They lived in Radnor township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
• By 1910, they had moved to a residence on Ithan Avenue in Radnor
• The family employed multiple servants, including a chauffeur

The Titanic Journey

How did Lucile come to be on the Titanic?

Following a trip to Europe, the Carter family boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. Their party included:

• Lucile Polk Carter (14 years old)
• William Ernest Carter (father)
• Lucile Stewart Polk Carter (mother)
• William Thornton Carter II (brother, 11 years old)
• Alexander Cairns (servant)
• Augusta Serreplaà (maid)
• Augustus Aldworth (chauffeur, traveling in second class)

The Carters traveled as first-class passengers, occupying adjoining cabins B96-B98. Their ticket (number 113760) cost £120, equivalent to approximately $16,000 in today’s currency.

Interestingly, the family also brought along their pet Airedale dog for the journey.

The Night of the Disaster

What happened to Lucile during the Titanic’s sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg, the Carter family found themselves among the passengers earmarked for lifeboat 4. The loading process was chaotic and delayed due to difficulties in opening the windows on the A-deck promenade.

Lucile, along with her mother, brother, and their maid Miss Serreplaà, managed to board lifeboat 4. However, they were forced to leave behind their beloved dog, which remained on the ship under the care of Colonel John Jacob Astor.

Survival and Aftermath

How did the Titanic disaster affect Lucile’s family?

The survival of Lucile’s father in another lifeboat had significant repercussions for the family. It appears that the disaster may have exacerbated existing marital problems between her parents. In June 1914, Lucile’s mother filed for divorce, citing her husband’s survival and possible prioritization of his own safety as key factors in their separation.

Following the divorce:

• Lucile’s mother remarried George Clymer Brooke Jr., a banker and steel manufacturer
• Through this union, Lucile gained a half-sister, Elizabeth Muhlenberg (1916-2016)

Lucile’s Life After the Titanic

How did Lucile’s life unfold after surviving the Titanic?

Despite the trauma of the Titanic disaster, Lucile went on to lead a full life:

1. Society Debut: In August 1916, Lucile was presented to society with a lavish dinner dance at her mother’s home in Newport, Rhode Island.
2. Marriage: On October 14, 1922, she married Samuel James Reeves, an iron executive and Yale graduate.
3. Family: The couple had three children:
   • Elise Fisher (1924-1950)
   • David (1926-2011)
   • Lucile (1929-1996)
4. Residence: They lived in Radnor, Delaware, Pennsylvania.
5. Continued Travel: Lucile remained a seasoned traveler, journeying on ships such as the Mauretania, Queen of Bermuda, and Monarch of Bermuda.

What tragedy struck Lucile’s family in 1944?

On February 18, 1944, Lucile’s husband Samuel James Reeves was killed in a car accident. He crashed into the stone wall of a cemetery in Upper Providence, Pennsylvania, while returning from a business trip. It’s believed he either fell asleep at the wheel or became disoriented by heavy fog.

Lucile’s Later Years and Legacy

Lucile never remarried after her husband’s death. She faced further tragedy in 1950 with the loss of her daughter Elise.

On October 19, 1962, Lucile Polk Carter Reeves passed away at the age of 64 (sixty-four). At the time of her death, she was living with her daughter Lucile in Summerville, South Carolina.

What became of Lucile’s children and siblings?

• Her daughter Lucile Trowbridge died on December 14, 1996, in Sedgwick, Maine.
• Her son David passed away on January 13, 2011, in Paoli, Pennsylvania, survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
• Lucile’s half-sister Elizabeth lived to be 100 years old, passing away in 2016.

Lucile Polk Carter’s life, from her dramatic survival of the Titanic disaster to her experiences as a society debutante and mother, serves as a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors. Her story continues to fascinate those interested in the human stories behind one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.