Mr Percival Sharp

Who was Percival Sharp?

Mr Percival Sharp was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on December 18, 1882, in Camberwell, Surrey, England, Sharp’s life was marked by tragedy from an early age. He embarked on the Titanic’s maiden voyage as a second-class passenger, only to meet his untimely demise in the disaster.

Early Life and Background

A Childhood Marred by Loss

Percival Sharp’s early years were shaped by personal hardships:

Born to Granville Sharp (b. 1854) and Emily Mylius (b. 1857)
One older brother, Granville (b. 1880)
Father died in 1887 when Percival was just 5 years old
Mother passed away in 1891

By 1891, young Percival and his brother found themselves in St Mary’s Orphanage in North Hyde, Middlesex, likely due to their mother’s inability to care for them financially after their father’s death.

Struggles in Adulthood

Percival’s adult life was marked by challenges:

Suffered from psychiatric problems
1911 census records show him as an inmate at London County Lunatic Asylum in Norwood, Middlesex
Described as an unmarried labourer at 29 years of age

In contrast, his brother Granville found success as a brewery manager in Nottinghamshire and later settled with a family in Hertfordshire.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Percival Sharp on the Titanic?

The reasons for Percival Sharp’s journey on the Titanic remain a mystery. He boarded the ship at Southampton as a second-class passenger, traveling alongside Henry James Beauchamp. Their joint ticket, number 244358, cost £26.

Key Details:
Embarked: Southampton
Class: Second
Ticket Number: 244358
Fare: £26

A Mysterious Companion

Percival’s connection to Henry James Beauchamp is intriguing. How these two men became acquainted and decided to travel together is unknown, adding an element of mystery to Sharp’s final journey.

Fate During the Disaster

What Happened to Percival Sharp?

Tragically, Percival Sharp did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. He became one of the many victims of the disaster, losing his life on April 15, 1912, at the age of 29 (twenty-nine).

Detail	Information
Survival Status	Did not survive
Body Recovery	Not identified, if recovered
Date of Death	April 15, 1912

The circumstances of Sharp’s final moments aboard the Titanic are unknown. Given his second-class status and the “women and children first” protocol, it’s likely he had limited access to lifeboats.

Legacy and Reflection

A Life Cut Short

Percival Sharp’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives tragically cut short by the Titanic disaster. His journey from a childhood marked by loss to his untimely death on the Titanic paints a picture of a life filled with challenges.

Unanswered Questions

Many aspects of Percival Sharp’s life and his reasons for boarding the Titanic remain shrouded in mystery:

What were his plans in America?
How did he come to travel with Henry James Beauchamp?
What impact did his psychiatric struggles have on his decision to embark on this journey?

These unanswered questions add to the intrigue surrounding his story and highlight the personal tragedies behind the broader narrative of the Titanic disaster.

Percival Sharp’s tale serves as a somber reminder of the many individual stories of loss and unfulfilled potential that make up the larger tragedy of the Titanic. His life, marked by early hardship and ending in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, exemplifies the diverse and often heartbreaking backgrounds of the Titanic’s passengers.