Miss Robertha Josephine Watt

Who was Robertha Josephine Watt?

Robertha Josephine Watt, better known as Bertha, was a 12 (twelve) year-old Scottish girl who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 7, 1899, in Aberdeen, Scotland, Bertha’s life would be forever changed by her experience on the ill-fated ship. Her story of survival, resilience, and eventual settlement in Canada offers a unique perspective on one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Background

Bertha Watt was born into a family with aspirations for a new life across the Atlantic. Her parents were:

Father: James Reid Watt (1868-1937), an architect
Mother: Elizabeth Watt (née Inglis Milne) (1871-1951)

As the only child of James and Elizabeth, Bertha spent her early years in Aberdeen, Scotland. The family was active in their local community:

Resided at 45 Holburn Road, St Machar, Aberdeen
Attended Belmont Congregational Church
Bertha received her education at Ashley Road School

The Journey to a New Life

Why did the Watt family decide to leave Scotland?

The Watt family set their sights on Portland, Oregon, hoping for new opportunities in North America. Their journey unfolded in stages:

James Watt departed first, sailing from Glasgow on the Anchor Line’s Caledonia on October 21, 1911.
Elizabeth and Bertha followed months later, booking passage on the RMS Titanic.

Titanic Voyage Details

Class: Second Class
Port of Embarkation: Southampton
Ticket Number: C.A. 33595
Fare: £15 15s (15 pounds, 15 shillings)

During the voyage, Bertha and her mother shared a cabin with two other ladies, Rosa Pinsky and Ellen Mary Toomey. The young Bertha quickly formed friendships aboard the ship, including:

Marion Wright
Kate Buss
William Mellors (on whom Bertha reportedly developed a crush)
Eight-year-old Marjorie Collyer

The Night of the Disaster

What were Bertha’s memories of the Titanic’s sinking?

Bertha’s most vivid recollections of that fateful night paint a harrowing picture:

“We heard many pistol shots, and could see people running hopelessly up and down the decks. Some in the lifeboat were crying. One or two were hysterical. There was nothing anyone could do. We just kept on going.”

Her account, written for her high school newspaper in 1917, provides chilling details:

The lifeboat had only a keg of biscuits, no water or light
An Irishman at the tiller told her about the stars
A minister appeared from under a seat, lamenting his lost sermons
Bertha wore only a nightgown, panties, and house slippers, protected by a fur-lined coat

How did Bertha and her mother survive?

Bertha and her mother were rescued in Lifeboat 9. They didn’t board the Carpathia until about 9 a.m. the following morning. Bertha recalled her mother’s stoic humor during the ordeal:

“Don’t worry honey, you weren’t born to be drowned, you were born to be hanged.”

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience shape Bertha’s life?

Despite the trauma of the Titanic disaster, Bertha went on to live a full and adventurous life:

Reunited with her father in Portland, Oregon
Attended Jefferson High School and Oregon Agricultural College
Became a bookkeeper
Married Leslie Frederick Marshall, a Canadian dentist, in 1923
Moved to Vancouver, Canada, and became a Canadian citizen
Had four children: Frederick James, Robert, Donald, and Jane Elizabeth
Continued her passion for sailing, owning a 45’ yacht with her husband
Member of the Burrard Yacht Club

What challenges did Bertha face later in life?

Bertha’s life was not without further tragedy:

Her husband died on November 30, 1971
Her daughter Jane (46) and grandson Robert Leslie Douglas (16) were killed by a drunk driver on November 24, 1978

Bertha’s Legacy and Final Years

How did Bertha preserve the memory of the Titanic?

While Bertha often shunned publicity associated with being a Titanic survivor, she did contribute to preserving its history:

Granted occasional interviews about her experiences
Attended at least one Titanic Historical Society convention
Possessed a valuable Titanic second-class passenger list (later lost)

What became of Bertha in her final years?

Bertha spent her twilight years at St Vincent’s Arbutus Care Home in Vancouver. She passed away on March 4, 1993, at the age of 93 (ninety-three). Her death marked the end of an era:

Last remaining Titanic survivor living in Canada
Died just one day before Ellen Shine Callaghan, the last living Irish Titanic passenger

Bertha Watt’s grave can be found at Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Section 8, Plot 25.

Bertha Watt’s life spanned nearly a century, from the Victorian era to the dawn of the internet age. Her experiences on the Titanic, while formative, were just one chapter in a life filled with resilience, adventure, and family. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind one of history’s most famous disasters, and the long-lasting impact it had on its survivors.