René Pernot: A Titanic Victim’s Tale

René Pernot was a French chauffeur who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. At 39 (thirty-nine) years old, Pernot was employed by the wealthy American businessman Benjamin Guggenheim, and his story provides a unique perspective on the disaster from the viewpoint of a second-class passenger.

Early Life and Family Background

Born on September 7, 1872, in Brotte-lès-Ray, Haute-Saône, France, René Pernot came from a working-class family. His parents were:

• François Pernot (1839-1907): A wheelwright by trade
• Célestine Royer (b. 1837)

René had two known siblings:

• Adelphine Augustine (1863-1921): Later married Emilien Taponnot
• Charles (b. circa 1865)

Marriage and Children

On September 20, 1894, René Pernot married Marie Émilie Mantrand, who was born around 1872. The couple had two sons:

1. René Félix (b. 1895)
2. Raymond Émile (b. 1897)

Career and Connection to the Guggenheims

How did René Pernot become associated with Benjamin Guggenheim?

While the exact details of how and when René Pernot began working for Benjamin Guggenheim are unclear, we know that he was employed as a chauffeur for the wealthy American businessman. This position likely provided Pernot with opportunities beyond what was typical for a working-class Frenchman of his time.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding and Accommodations

René Pernot boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France, on April 10, 1912. Despite his connection to the Guggenheim family, Pernot traveled in second-class, while his employer and Guggenheim’s mistress, Leontine Aubart, enjoyed the luxuries of first-class accommodations.

Ticket and Fare Details

The Sinking and Pernot’s Fate

What happened to René Pernot during the Titanic’s final hours?

The details of René Pernot’s experience during the sinking of the Titanic are largely unknown. It appears that he did not cross paths with his employer during the disaster, as Henry Samuel Etches, the steward who attended to Mr. Guggenheim, did not mention Pernot in any of his interviews.

“Daniel Guggenheim told a reporter for The Times last night that his brother had had a chauffeur aboard named Rene Pernot. The chauffeur, he said, had travelled second class and had not been heard from.” - The New York Times, April 20, 1912

Tragically, René Pernot did not survive the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

Despite the limited information about his final moments, René Pernot’s memory lives on. He is commemorated on a family grave in Haute-Saône, France, with the following inscription:

“En mémoire de René Pernot, naufragé du Titanic le 14 Avril 1912, à l’âge de 40 ans. Priez pour lui”

(Translation: In memory of René Pernot, shipwrecked on the Titanic on April 14, 1912, at the age of 40 years. Pray for him)

The Impact of Pernot’s Story

René Pernot’s tale serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse backgrounds of the Titanic’s victims. While much attention is often given to the famous and wealthy passengers, Pernot’s story highlights the tragedy that befell individuals from all walks of life, including those who served the elite.

His journey from a small French town to working for one of America’s wealthiest families, only to meet a tragic end on the Titanic, encapsulates the complex social dynamics and cruel twists of fate that made the Titanic disaster so compelling and heartbreaking.