Pierre Maréchal

Pierre Maréchal was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old French aviator who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. As a first-class passenger, he experienced the tragic events firsthand and later recounted his harrowing escape from the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Background

Born on January 18, 1883, in Paris, France, Pierre Marie Georges Maréchal came from a distinguished family. His father, Eugène Albert Maréchal (1840-1904), served as the Vice Admiral of the French Navy, while his mother was Marie Anne Sydonie Alexandrine Deguerry.

What was Pierre Maréchal’s profession?

Pierre Maréchal was a well-known aviator and representative of the Paris-based Louis Paulhan & Compagnie, an aviation company. His expertise in the field of aviation would play a significant role in his journey to America aboard the Titanic.

Titanic Journey

Why was Maréchal traveling to America?

In April 1912, Maréchal embarked on his first-ever trip to the United States. His mission was to finalize a contract with the Curtiss Aviation Company of Hammondsport, New York. The agreement would allow the Paulhan company to:

• Manufacture and sell Curtiss motors
• Sell other Curtiss aviation devices
• Distribute products under royalty in all European territories (except Russia, Germany, and Italy)

Titanic Boarding Details

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, Maréchal was engaged in a card game in his stateroom with fellow passengers Paul Chevré, Alfred Omont, and Lucien Smith. As they played, the Titanic struck an iceberg, setting in motion the events that would lead to its sinking.

How did Maréchal react to the collision?

According to his own account:

He [Maréchal] said in substance that he was in his stateroom with four companions engaged in a game of whist, when the ship collided with the ice. The shock, which was slight, was yet apparent to each man about the card table.

Initially, Maréchal and his companions were not alarmed. They returned to their game after a brief investigation of the decks. However, as the situation worsened, Maréchal made his way to the bridge near Captain Smith.

Maréchal’s Escape

As the gravity of the situation became clear, Maréchal:

1. Returned to his stateroom
2. Donned a heavy coat and lifebelt
3. Made his way to the deck
4. Jumped into lifeboat 7 as it was being lowered

Maréchal was one of the first passengers to leave the Titanic, escaping in lifeboat 7 along with his French friends Chevré and Omont.

Witnessing the Sinking

From the safety of the lifeboat, Maréchal observed the Titanic’s final moments. He later described the scene:

“When three-quarters of a mile away we stopped. The spectacle before our eyes was in its way magnificent. In a very calm sea, beneath a sky moonless but sown with millions of stars, the enormous Titanic lay on the water, illuminated from the water line to the boat deck. The bow was slowly sinking into the black water.”

Maréchal’s account of the sinking provides a vivid and haunting description of the tragedy:

“By 2 o’clock the stern alone was visible. Suddenly every light went out… What was happening on her after deck at that moment must have been heartrending, for we heard for more than a half hour unceasing cries which to describe would pass the power of language. A cry still more terrible and long was heard, and the Titanic disappeared forever.”

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Maréchal’s plans?

Following his rescue by the Carpathia, Maréchal continued his business trip to Hammondsport, successfully concluding negotiations with the Curtiss Aviation Company. However, the traumatic experience led him to cut short his planned month-long stay in the USA.

On April 25, 1912, just days after the disaster, Maréchal boarded the Savoie of the French Line to return to France.

Family Life

After the Titanic disaster, Maréchal settled in London, where he began a relationship with Elizabeth Marie Castelli, known as Lily. Although never officially married, they had a son, Jean Pierre, born on October 4, 1915.

Later Years and Legacy

Pierre Maréchal returned to Paris in the mid-1930s and passed away on February 22, 1942, at the age of 59 (fifty-nine). He was buried in Cimetière de Bailly Cemetery.

What became of Maréchal’s Titanic mementos?

Interestingly, the playing cards that Maréchal had used during the fateful card game on the Titanic survived the disaster. He and his fellow survivors signed these cards aboard the Carpathia and mailed them to friends and family in France. In 1998, these cards resurfaced and were put up for auction by Maréchal’s grandson, though they failed to meet the reserve price of £25,000.

Pierre Maréchal’s survival story and his vivid accounts of the Titanic’s last moments continue to provide valuable insights into one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. His experience as a first-class passenger and subsequent escape in one of the first lifeboats offer a unique perspective on the tragic events of April 14-15, 1912.