Lucy Noël Martha, Countess of Rothes: A Titanic Survivor’s Tale

Who was Lucy Noël Martha, Countess of Rothes?

Lucy Noël Martha, Countess of Rothes, was a prominent English noblewoman and Titanic survivor who demonstrated remarkable courage and leadership during the ship’s tragic sinking. Born on December 25, 1878, in Kensington, London, she became known for her actions aboard Lifeboat 8 and her subsequent correspondence with crew member Thomas Jones.

Early Life and Background

A Noble Upbringing

Lucy Noël Martha Dyer-Edwards was born into a life of privilege as the daughter of Thomas Dyer Edwardes and Clementina Georgina Lucy Drummond Dyer Edwardes. Her noble connections were further cemented when she married Norman Evelyn Leslie, the 19th Earl of Rothes, on April 19, 1900, in Kensington.

Family Life

The Countess of Rothes’ family grew with the birth of her two sons:

• Malcolm (born 1902)
• John (born 1909)

The Titanic Journey

Why was the Countess aboard the Titanic?

The Countess of Rothes boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, embarking on a journey to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She was accompanied by:

• Her cousin, Gladys Cherry
• Her maid, Roberta Elizabeth Mary Maioni
• Her parents (who were traveling cross-channel only)

Accommodations and Ticket Details

As befitting her status, the Countess traveled in First Class luxury:

The Night of the Disaster

How did the Countess survive the Titanic sinking?

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, the Countess of Rothes, along with her cousin and maid, were evacuated in Lifeboat 8. It was here that her true character shone through the darkness of that fateful night.

Leadership in Crisis

Able seaman Thomas Jones, impressed by the Countess’s composure and capability, put her in charge of steering the lifeboat. He later remarked:

“She had a lot to say, so I put her to steering the boat.”

This was not a sarcastic comment but a testament to her natural leadership abilities. Jones so admired the Countess that he later presented her with the brass number plate from the lifeboat, a poignant memento of their shared ordeal.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience impact the Countess’s later life?

The Countess of Rothes continued to lead a life of significance following her Titanic survival:

• She maintained a correspondence with Thomas Jones for years after the disaster.
• Her first husband, the Earl of Rothes, passed away in March 1927, leaving an estate valued at £2,000.
• On December 22, 1927, she married Colonel Claude Macfie DSO in Chelsea, London, beginning a new chapter in her life.

Legacy and Final Years

Lucy Noël Martha, Countess of Rothes, passed away on September 12, 1956, in Hove, Sussex, at the age of 77 (seventy-seven). Her final resting place reflects the duality of her life experiences:

• Her body was cremated at the Downs Crematorium in Brighton, Sussex.
• Her remains were interred next to her first husband in the Leslie Vault at Christ’s Kirk on the Green Churchyard, Leslie, Fife, Scotland.

The Countess of Rothes’ legacy endures as a testament to the strength and dignity she displayed during one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. Her actions aboard Lifeboat 8 and her subsequent life serve as a reminder of the human capacity for leadership and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.