Miss Marion Smith

Who was Marion Smith?

Miss Marion Smith was a 49 (forty-nine) year-old English second-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born as Mary Anne Smith on January 10, 1863, in Basingstoke, Hampshire, she survived the tragic sinking of the ship on April 15, 1912. Marion’s life was marked by her work as a servant and nursemaid, her experience on the Titanic, and her subsequent travels around the world.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Marion Smith’s family history?

Marion Smith came from a family with an intriguing background:

• Her grandfather, James Smith (born 1792), guarded Napoleon on St. Helena
• James Smith married Maria Gentah, a native Indian woman from Bengal, in 1814
• Her father, William Smith (1819-1872), worked as a railway porter
• Her mother, Sarah Stevens (born ca. 1832), struggled to raise the children alone after William’s death

Marion’s siblings included:

• Kate (born 1860)
• Harriett (born 1861)
• William (1865-1876)
• Henry John (1867-1950)
• Annie (1870-1940?)

How did Marion’s early life shape her future?

Marion’s childhood was marked by hardship and loss. Her father passed away when she was just 9 (nine) years old, leaving her mother to raise the children alone. Sarah worked as a mangle operator, drying clothes to make ends meet. The family often received charitable assistance from the parish council.

Tragedy struck again in 1876 when Marion’s brother William died at the young age of 11 (eleven). These early experiences likely contributed to Marion’s resilience and work ethic in her later life.

Career and Travel

What was Marion Smith’s profession?

Marion Smith began her working life as a domestic servant. In 1881, at the age of 18 (eighteen), she and her sister Harriett were employed as domestic servants for Robert Wiltshire, a solicitor in Lambeth.

Later, Marion obtained a position as a servant and nursemaid in the household of Epaminondas Leite Chermont, the Secretary to the Brazilian Ambassador in London. Her charge was Jayme Sloan Chermont (1903-1983), who would later become a Brazilian Ambassador himself.

Where did Marion Smith travel?

Marion’s work with the Chermont family allowed her to travel extensively. Her journeys included:

• South America
• Mexico
• The United States
• Europe
• Japan (in 1915, as a governess for Epaminondas Chermont)

The Titanic Journey

Why was Marion Smith on the Titanic?

Marion Smith boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. She was en route to Washington, D.C., where she was to stay at 1243 New Hampshire Avenue. Her ticket (number 31418) cost £13 and was booked through Finlayson, The Cross, Basingstoke.

“Miss Smith who was a lady’s maid and had many times crossed the Atlantic, booked her passage through Mr. C. J. Finlinson, the local agent for the White Star Line, by whose persuasion she fortunately insured her luggage for £50.” - Unidentified Basingstoke Newspaper

Who did Marion Smith travel with on the Titanic?

While Marion boarded the ship alone, she is thought to have shared a cabin with Fanny Maria Kelly and Hilda Slater. This companionship would prove crucial during the disaster.

The Fateful Night

How did Marion Smith survive the Titanic disaster?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Marion Smith managed to escape the doomed vessel. While the exact lifeboat she boarded is unknown, evidence suggests she likely entered one of the port boats aft, possibly in the company of Fanny Kelly.

Hilda Slater, another passenger, reported that Miss Smith and Mrs. Kelly went to the “other side” of the ship from where she herself had boarded Lifeboat 13.

What did Marion Smith save from the Titanic?

Marion was able to save only her money, amounting to $245. She later made a property claim against the White Star Line for $478.

After the Titanic

How did Marion Smith inform her family of her survival?

On April 18, 1912, at 3:51 pm, Marion sent a Marconigram to her mother’s address in Basingstoke:

Smith 12 New Road Basingstoke Hants
Safe Carpathia
Marion

This brief message brought immense relief to her family and friends in Basingstoke.

What did Marion Smith do after the Titanic disaster?

Following her rescue, Marion continued her work with the Chermont family. In 1915, at the age of 52 (fifty-two), she was listed as a governess on a passenger list for a voyage to Japan, where Epaminondas Chermont was taking up a position as a special envoy.

Later Life and Legacy

Where did Marion Smith spend her final years?

The details of Marion’s later life are somewhat uncertain. According to a 2010 article in the Basingstoke Gazette, Marion and her sister Harriett settled in Croydon.

When did Marion Smith pass away?

It has been suggested that Marion Smith passed away on December 13, 1940, at the age of 77 (seventy-seven). She is believed to be buried in an unmarked plot (B575) in the Worting Road Cemetery, Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Marion Smith’s life spanned from the Victorian era through two World Wars, encompassing a remarkable journey that included surviving one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. Her story serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of those who lived through the tumultuous early 20th century.