Miss Mary Conover Lines

Mary Conover Lines was a 16-year-old American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on July 27, 1895, in Mount Vernon, New York, Mary was traveling with her mother to attend her brother’s graduation from Dartmouth College when they boarded the ill-fated ship.

What was Mary’s background?

Mary Conover Lines came from a prominent family. Her father, Dr. Ernest Howard Lines, was the president and medical director of the New York Life Insurance Company. Mary’s mother, Elizabeth Lindsey James, hailed from Burlington, New Jersey. The family had settled in Paris, where Mary received her education, and they frequently traveled across the Atlantic.

Early Life and Education

• Born on July 27, 1895, in Mount Vernon, Westchester, New York
• Only daughter of Dr. Ernest Howard Lines and Elizabeth Lindsey James
• Had one brother, Howard Burchard (1892-1916)
• Lived in Manhattan before settling in Paris
• Educated in Paris

The Titanic Journey

Mary and her mother boarded the Titanic at Southampton as first-class passengers. Their journey details include:

What happened on the day of the sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Mary was dozing off when she and her mother were alarmed by the ship stopping and the sound of steam being vented. Initially pacified by their steward, they were later alerted by a neighboring passenger to get dressed and find their lifebelts.

“We are sending you out as a matter of precaution. We hope you will be back for breakfast.”

These were the words of an officer as he tied their lifebelts on the boat deck.

How did Mary survive the disaster?

Mary and her mother were rescued in lifeboat 9, which Mary described as far from full. When the Titanic sank, Mary claimed she was too far away to hear the cries of those struggling in the water, a fact she considered a blessing.

The Rescue

• Rescued in lifeboat 9
• Witnessed five or six huge icebergs at sunrise
• Described the icebergs as “one of the most beautiful spectacles she has ever seen”
• Faced a terrifying ordeal climbing a rickety rope ladder to board the Carpathia

Life After the Titanic

What did Mary do after surviving the Titanic?

After the Titanic disaster, Mary’s life took several interesting turns:

1. Attended her brother’s graduation at Dartmouth College
2. Returned to Paris
3. Served for four years in a French Hospital as a nurse’s aide during World War I
4. Married Sargent Holbrook Wellman in Paris in 1919
5. Settled in Topsfield, Massachusetts

Family and Community Involvement

Mary and her husband, Sargent, had three children:

• Prudence (1920-1986)
• Howard Lines (1924-2006)
• Bradford (b. 1931)

The couple was active in their local community, with Mary dedicating much of her time to the Girl Scouts. She was one of the founders of the Mid-Essex area council of Girl Scouts and served as a commissioner of Massachusetts Girl Scouts for four years.

What was Mary’s legacy?

Mary Lines left a lasting impact through her various roles and contributions:

• Devoted 30 years to the Herb Society of America, serving as chairman of the New England Unit
• Assisted in translating the “Natural History of Lavenders” from French to English
• Shared her Titanic experiences with local press in her later years

How did Mary handle her Titanic memories?

For many years, Mary never spoke about her experiences on the Titanic. It wasn’t until after her mother’s death that she chose to recount her story. Interestingly, when invited to the New York premiere of “A Night to Remember” in 1958, Mary declined, not wishing to relive her experience.

Mary’s Final Years

Mary Conover Lines Wellman passed away on November 23, 1975, at the age of 80 (eighty) in her home at 103 Salem Road, Massachusetts. She was laid to rest in Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield, leaving behind a legacy of survival, service, and community involvement that spanned two continents and touched countless lives.