Mrs Maria Louisa Thorne Drew

Who was Maria Louisa Thorne Drew?

Maria Louisa Thorne Drew, better known as Lulu, was an American passenger and survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster. Born on March 19, 1878, in Greenport, Suffolk, New York, she was 34 (thirty-four) years old when she embarked on the ill-fated voyage. Lulu’s remarkable story of survival and her subsequent life make her a notable figure in the Titanic’s passenger history.

Early Life and Family Background

A New York Upbringing

Lulu was born into a family with deep American roots:

• Father: Henry Paul Christian (1837-1927), a sailmaker
• Mother: Maria Louise Fisher (1849-1920)
• Siblings: Seven in total, including Lillian, Jennie, Harry, Thomas, Fanny, Evelyn, and Irene Myrtis

Her father’s background was particularly notable:

Henry Paul Christian was a Civil War veteran and former member of the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, also known as Duryée’s Zouaves.

Interestingly, one of Lulu’s ancestors served as a Captain in George Washington’s artillery, highlighting the family’s long-standing connection to American history.

Early Adulthood and Marriage

Lulu’s early adult life was marked by significant changes:

1. In 1900, she was still unmarried and without a profession, living in Southold Township, Greenport.
2. She later married James Vivian Drew, born in 1869 in Cornwall, England.
3. James had emigrated to the USA around 1890, joining his brother William John in operating a marble monument business.

The Titanic Journey

Why were the Drews on the Titanic?

The Drews’ presence on the Titanic was a result of a family vacation. In the autumn of 1911, James, Lulu, and their nephew Marshall Brines Drew traveled on the Olympic to visit James’s relatives in Constantine, Cornwall. For their return journey to America, they booked passage on the Titanic.

Titanic Boarding Details

It’s worth noting that they may have traveled with James Veal, another passenger from Constantine, Cornwall.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Lulu survive the Titanic sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, the events unfolded as follows:

1. Lulu and her nephew Marshall were in their cabin while James was on deck.
2. After the iceberg collision, James returned to the cabin, instructing them to dress and put on lifebelts.
3. James escorted Lulu and Marshall to a lifeboat (possibly boat 10 or 11).
4. In a heart-wrenching moment, James bid them goodbye and stepped back into the crowd.

Tragically, this was the last time Lulu saw her husband. James Vivian Drew did not survive the sinking, becoming one of the many victims of the Titanic disaster.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic affect Lulu’s later life?

The Titanic disaster had a profound impact on Lulu:

• Upon arrival in New York, she vowed never to travel across the ocean again, a promise she kept for the rest of her life.
• Before the end of the decade, she remarried Richard Opie (born January 7, 1885), a carpenter from Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island.
• The couple initially settled in Southold with Lulu’s nephew Marshall Brines Drew, before moving to Westerly in 1925.

Lulu’s Later Years

In her later years, Lulu:

• Lived on Old Post Road in Westerly
• Was an active member of the Central Baptist Church
• Participated in various local clubs

Legacy and Final Days

Lulu Drew’s life came to a close on June 2, 1970, at the age of 92 (ninety-two). Her final days were spent in the Watch Hill Nursing Home in Westerly, following the death of her second husband on February 24, 1970. She was laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery in Hopkinton, Rhode Island.

Lulu Drew’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human impact of the Titanic disaster. Her survival, resilience, and long life afterward stand as a testament to the strength of those who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies.