Mr Richard Frasar White

Who was Richard Frasar White?

Richard Frasar White was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old American passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on December 26, 1890, in Winchendon Springs, Massachusetts, he was a recent graduate of Bowdoin College traveling in first-class accommodation with his father, Percival Wayland White, a prominent cotton manufacturer.

Early Life and Education

A Privileged Upbringing

Richard Frasar White was born into a family of means, with his father being a successful businessman in the cotton industry. He had an older brother named Percival Jr., and the family initially resided in Winchendon Springs, Massachusetts, before relocating to Brunswick, Maine, a few years prior to the Titanic voyage.

Academic Achievement at Bowdoin College

White’s academic prowess was evident in his early completion of undergraduate studies at Bowdoin College in December 1911. Despite finishing ahead of schedule, he chose to delay his official graduation until June 1912 to participate in the commencement ceremony with his peers.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Reward for Academic Success

As a celebration of Richard’s academic achievements, his father, Percival, took him on a month-long European trip. Their transatlantic crossing to Europe was made on the RMS Olympic, the Titanic’s sister ship.

Booking Passage on the Titanic

Impressed by their experience on the Olympic, Percival White decided to book first-class passage on the Titanic’s maiden voyage for their return trip. The Whites embarked at Southampton, occupying cabin D26, with a ticket numbered 35281. The fare for their luxurious accommodation was £77 5s 0d.

Friendships Formed Aboard

During the voyage, the Whites befriended fellow passengers Mrs Elizabeth Lines and her daughter Mary, whose cabins were in close proximity to their own.

The Night of the Disaster

A Fateful Warning

On the night of April 14, 1912, it was Mr. White who alerted Mrs. Lines and her daughter to the impending danger, knocking on their cabin door to inform them of the situation.

The Final Moments

An unidentified survivor later recounted to Mrs. White that her husband and son were last seen:

“removing their shoes in preparation for their leaps into the sea.”

Both father and son reportedly jumped into the frigid North Atlantic waters together, facing their fate with bravery.

Recovery and Identification

Body Retrieved

A week after the sinking, the body of Richard Frasar White was recovered by the Mackay Bennett. He was designated as body number 169.

Discrepancy in Age Estimation

Curiously, the initial body description recorded an estimated age of 37, significantly older than Richard’s actual age of 21. The report noted:

NO. 169. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 37. - HAIR, VERY FAIR.
CLOTHING- Brown suit; white shoes.
EFFECTS- Keys; match box; gold watch; blood stone ring.
NAME - FRASER WHITE.
The Pines, Brunswick, Me.

Positive Identification

Richard’s brother, Percival Jr., later positively identified the body, confirming it was indeed the young Richard Frasar White.

Final Journey Home

A Solemn Return

Richard’s body was transported to Brunswick, Maine, via Boston, under the care of F. A. Smith. An impressive funeral service was held, attended by faculty and fellow students from Bowdoin College.

A Posthumous Honor

In a touching gesture, Mrs. White was presented with Richard’s diploma during the funeral service, acknowledging his academic accomplishments.

Final Resting Place

Following the funeral, Richard’s body was laid to rest in the family plot at the town cemetery in Winchendon Springs, Massachusetts, bringing him back to his birthplace for eternity.

Legacy of a Young Life Cut Short

Richard Frasar White’s story is a poignant reminder of the many promising lives lost in the Titanic disaster. At just 21 years old, he was part of the first-class passengers who perished, demonstrating that wealth and status offered no guarantee of survival on that fateful night.

His academic achievements and the circumstances of his European trip showcase a young man on the cusp of a bright future, tragically cut short. The discrepancy in the age estimation of his recovered body adds a mysterious element to his story, highlighting the chaos and confusion in the aftermath of the sinking.

Today, Richard Frasar White is remembered not only as a victim of the Titanic, but as a symbol of the lost potential and unfulfilled dreams that perished along with the great ship on April 15, 1912.