Mrs Olive Earnshaw

Who was Olive Earnshaw?

Olive Earnshaw was a 23 (twenty-three) year-old American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 9, 1888, in Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania, she was traveling with her mother, Lily Potter, and friend Margaret Hays when she boarded the ill-fated ship at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912.

Early Life and Background

Olive was born into a wealthy family, the daughter of Thomas Potter Jr. and Lily Alexenia Potter. Growing up in Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania, she enjoyed a privileged upbringing and received her education at the prestigious Briarcliff School in New York, where she formed a close friendship with Margaret Bechstein Hays.

What led to Olive’s Titanic voyage?

In December 1911, Olive’s mother, Lily Potter, decided to take her daughter on a European vacation. This decision was prompted by the crumbling marriage between Olive and her husband, Boulton Earnshaw. As Olive had filed for divorce, the trip was intended to take her mind off the proceedings.

The Titanic Journey

Embarkation: Cherbourg
Class: 1st Class
Ticket Number: 11767
Cabin: C54
Fare: £83 3s 2d

Olive boarded the Titanic with her mother and friend Margaret Hays on the evening of April 10, 1912. They were assigned to cabin C54, which Olive shared with Margaret. Despite the luxurious surroundings of the first-class accommodations, Olive’s mind was likely preoccupied with her impending divorce.

Fate During the Disaster

“Olive, her mother, Margaret Hays (and her dog) and their self-appointed ’escort’, Gilbert Milligan Tucker, Jr. boarded lifeboat 7 which was lowered away at 12:45 a.m.”

As a first-class survivor, Olive was fortunate to secure a place on lifeboat 7, one of the first to be launched from the sinking ship. The lifeboat was lowered at 12:45 a.m., carrying Olive, her mother, Margaret Hays (along with her dog), and Gilbert Milligan Tucker, Jr., who had appointed himself as their escort.

What happened after the rescue?

When the rescue ship Carpathia arrived in New York, Boulton Earnshaw, Olive’s soon-to-be ex-husband, traveled to Pier 54 to meet her. The Potter party, including Olive, then returned to Philadelphia later that night.

Life After the Titanic

Olive’s life took several significant turns following her survival of the Titanic disaster:

She finalized her divorce from Boulton Earnshaw
Like her mother, she volunteered for the American Red Cross
In 1920, she remarried to Allen P. Crolius
The couple had two sons, Thomas and Allen
Sadly, Mr. Crolius passed away in 1936

Did the Titanic experience affect Olive’s love for travel?

Surprisingly, Olive never gave up her passion for travel, despite her harrowing experience on the Titanic. She continued to embark on journeys, including:

Trips to Spain with her husband and sons in the mid and late 1920s
Several sailings to Bermuda

Legacy and Final Years

Olive Crolius (née Earnshaw) dedicated much of her life to volunteer work with the American Red Cross, a commitment she maintained until her final days. Her resilience in the face of personal challenges and historical tragedy serves as a testament to her character.

On April 21, 1958, at the age of 69 (sixty-nine), Olive Crolius passed away due to cancer. She was laid to rest alongside her mother at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA, bringing her remarkable life journey to a close.

Olive Earnshaw’s story remains a poignant reminder of the human experiences behind the Titanic disaster, showcasing both the tragedy of the event and the resilience of its survivors.