Master Michel Marcel Navratil

Who was Michel Marcel Navratil?

Michel Marcel Navratil was one of the youngest survivors of the Titanic disaster. Born on June 12, 1908, in Nice, France, he was just 3 (three) years old when he boarded the ill-fated ship. Michel’s story is one of survival, family drama, and a lifelong connection to one of history’s most famous maritime tragedies.

Early Life and Background

Michel Marcel Navratil was born into a family that would soon be torn apart by marital strife. His father, Michel Navratil Sr., had separated from his mother, Marcelle. In a desperate act, Michel Sr. took Michel Jr. and his brother Edmond from their mother and planned to start a new life in America.

A Family in Turmoil

• Father: Michel Navratil Sr.
• Mother: Marcelle Navratil
• Brother: Edmond Roger Navratil
• Nationality: French

The Titanic Journey

How did the Navratils come to be on the Titanic?

The Navratil family boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. They were traveling under the assumed name of Hoffman, as Mr. Navratil had essentially kidnapped his sons from their mother. The family was booked into second-class accommodations, a decision that would later prove crucial to their survival.

Journey Details:

What was life like aboard the Titanic for young Michel?

Despite the underlying family drama, Michel recalled the voyage fondly. In a later interview, he described the Titanic as “A magnificent ship!” He remembered playing on the forward deck with his brother and enjoying meals in the second-class dining room. Michel stated:

“My brother and I played on the forward deck and were thrilled to be there. One morning, my father, my brother, and I were eating eggs in the second-class dining room. The sea was stunning. My feeling was one of total and utter well-being.”

The Night of the Disaster

How did Michel survive the sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Michel’s father woke the boys and dressed them warmly. In a heart-wrenching moment, Michel Sr. placed his sons in a lifeboat, knowing he would likely never see them again. Michel Jr. later recalled his father’s last words:

“My child, when your mother comes for you, as she surely will, tell her that I loved her dearly and still do. Tell her I expected her to follow us, so that we might all live happily together in the peace and freedom of the New World.”

Remarkably, Michel didn’t recall feeling afraid during the evacuation. He described the experience of entering the lifeboat as a “pleasure,” remembering the sound of “going plop!” into the boat.

The Aftermath and Rescue

What happened to Michel after the Titanic sank?

Michel and his brother became known as the “Orphans of the Titanic” as they were the only children aboard the rescue ship Carpathia who remained unclaimed by an adult. Unable to speak English, the boys were taken in by first-class survivor Miss Margaret Hays, who cared for them at her New York home until their mother could be contacted.

The Reunion

Marcelle Navratil recognized her sons from newspaper stories and was brought to America by the White Star Line. On May 16, 1912, she was finally reunited with Michel and Edmond. The family then returned to France aboard the Oceanic, closing a chapter on their Titanic ordeal.

Michel’s Later Life and Legacy

How did the Titanic experience shape Michel’s life?

Despite his young age at the time of the disaster, the Titanic remained a significant part of Michel’s life:

• He attended university and married a fellow student in 1933
• Earned a doctorate and became a professor of psychology
• In 1987, he returned to the U.S. for the first time since 1912 to mark the 75th anniversary of the sinking
• Lived in Montpellier, near Nice, France
• On August 27, 1996, he visited his father’s grave for the first time in 84 years
• Became known as the last living male survivor of the Titanic

A Life Remembered

Michel Marcel Navratil passed away on January 30, 2001, at the age of 92 (ninety-two). His life spanned nearly a century, bookended by one of the most famous maritime disasters in history and the dawn of the 21st century. As one of the last survivors of the Titanic, Michel’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the tragedy and the resilience of those who lived to tell the tale.