Miss Sara Rebecca Compton was a 39 (thirty-nine) year-old first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on April 30, 1872, in Manhattan, New York, she was an American citizen who survived the tragic sinking of the ship on April 15, 1912.
Early Life and Family Background
What was Sara Compton’s family like?
Sara Rebecca Compton came from a prominent family:
Father: Alexander Taylor Compton (b. 1842) - A lawyer from Newark, New Jersey
Mother: Mary Eliza Ingersoll (b. 1847) - From Westchester, New York
Siblings:
Lorin Ingersoll (1870-1872) - Elder brother who died in infancy
1885: East Orange, New Jersey (as per census records)
Later years: Lakewood, New Jersey
Sara’s father passed away on January 30, 1902, leaving her mother a widow.
The Titanic Journey
How did Sara Compton come to be on the Titanic?
Sara, also known as Sadie, boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg with her mother, Mary Eliza Compton, and her brother Alexander. They traveled as first-class passengers, sharing ticket number PC 17756.
Ticket Details
Value
Class
1st Class
Ticket Number
PC 17756
Cabin
E-49
Fare
£83 3s 2d
Fate During the Disaster
What happened to Sara Compton when the Titanic sank?
When the Titanic struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912, Sara and her mother managed to secure places in lifeboat 14. They were among the fortunate survivors of the disaster. Tragically, Sara’s brother Alexander did not survive the sinking.
Following their arrival in New York aboard the Carpathia, she and her mother stayed at the Murray Hill Hotel in New York; her mother was reportedly devastated at the loss of her son.
Life After the Titanic
How did the Titanic disaster affect Sara Compton’s later life?
The Titanic disaster had a profound impact on Sara Compton’s life:
She never married
Spent much of her later years in New Jersey
Also known to have spent time in Florida
Sara Rebecca Compton passed away on June 16, 1952, in Miami, Florida, at the age of 80 (eighty). Her remains were cremated.
Legacy and Historical Significance
Sara Rebecca Compton’s survival of the Titanic disaster makes her an important figure in maritime history. Her story provides valuable insights into the experiences of first-class passengers during one of the most infamous shipwrecks in history. As one of the survivors of the Titanic, her account contributes to our understanding of the events that unfolded on that fateful night in April 1912.
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.