Mrs Minnie Coutts

Who was Minnie Coutts?

Mrs Minnie Coutts was a 36 (thirty-six) year-old third-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic who survived the tragic sinking on April 15, 1912. Born on February 2, 1876, in Ireland, Minnie’s journey on the Titanic was part of her family’s emigration to America, where she would reunite with her husband in Brooklyn, New York.

Early Life and Irish Roots

What was Minnie’s background?

Minnie Coutts, née Trainor, was born into a Roman Catholic family in County Monaghan, Ireland. Her parents were:

• Hugh Trainor (born 1836): A farmer
• Mary Trainor (born 1841)

While details of her early life remain somewhat vague, Minnie’s Irish heritage played a significant role in shaping her identity.

Marriage and Family Life

In the spring of 1902, Minnie married William Coutts in Kent, England. William, born on June 20, 1876, was a gold and silver engraver from Haddingtonshire, Scotland, and a former soldier. The couple had two sons:

1. William Loch Coutts (born 1902 in Chatham, Kent)
2. Neville Leslie Coutts (born 1908 in Salisbury, Wiltshire)

By 1911, the Coutts family was residing at 5 Knox Buildings, Caledonian Road, Islington, London.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Minnie board the Titanic?

In early 1912, William Coutts emigrated to America ahead of his family. He later sent enough money for Minnie to book second-class passage for herself and their two sons. However, Minnie made a frugal decision:

She instead purchased third class tickets, hoping to save some money towards setting up their new home in America.

Minnie and her two young sons boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. Their ticket number was C.A. 37671, which cost £15 18s.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Minnie experience the Titanic’s collision?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Minnie was asleep when the Titanic struck the iceberg. The impact, though slight, was enough to wake her. Initially dismissing it, she lay awake for about 15 minutes before deciding to investigate.

Upon leaving her cabin, Minnie observed:

• People rushing about in an orderly fashion
• Talk of lifeboats
• Many passengers carrying all their belongings

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Minnie quickly returned to her cabin to prepare her children for evacuation.

What challenges did Minnie face during the evacuation?

Minnie encountered several obstacles while trying to save herself and her children:

1. She couldn’t find a lifebelt for herself in the cabin
2. The communal areas of steerage were crowded, making it difficult to reach the lifeboats
3. She nearly lost hope of escaping until a seaman guided her to the boat deck

In a remarkable turn of events, an unidentified American man on the boat deck offered Minnie his own lifebelt, saying:

“Take my life preserver, madam.”

This selfless act potentially saved Minnie’s life and allowed her to focus on her children’s safety.

Survival and Rescue

Minnie and her two sons, William Loch Coutts and Neville Leslie, were fortunate to escape the sinking Titanic in lifeboat 2. Minnie described the lifeboat as containing around 17 people. Despite the bitter cold, Minnie noted that she and her sons fared better than some others due to being more warmly dressed.

Life After the Titanic

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

After being reunited with her husband, Minnie and her family settled in Dormont, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Their address in 1930 was 2615 Ocean Avenue. Key events in Minnie’s post-Titanic life include:

• 1956: Minnie was widowed
• Later years: Moved to Maplewood, New Jersey, living at her son Neville’s home (38 South Pierson Road)
• As late as 1957: Still giving interviews about her Titanic experiences

Legacy and Final Years

Minnie Coutts’ survival story became a testament to the human spirit and the kindness of strangers during the Titanic disaster. Her willingness to share her experiences decades after the event helped keep the memory of the tragedy alive for future generations.

Minnie passed away on February 29, 1960, at the age of 84 (eighty-four). She was later cremated, leaving behind a legacy as a Titanic survivor who faced adversity with courage and resilience.