Mr Sidney Clarence Stuart Collett

Who was Sidney Clarence Stuart Collett?

Sidney Clarence Stuart Collett was a 25 (twenty-five) year-old English passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on June 8, 1887, in Hampstead, London, Collett was a second-class passenger traveling to join his family in Port Byron, New York. His remarkable story of survival and subsequent life experiences make him a notable figure in the Titanic’s history.

Early Life and Background

Family Roots

Sidney Collett came from a large and complex family:

• Father: Mawbey Ernest Collett (1851-1922), a coach ironmonger
• Mother: Ann Pinfold, née Casely (1849-1939)
• Six half-siblings from his father’s first marriage
• Four full siblings

His family background reflects the social dynamics of late 19th century England, with his father remarrying after the death of his first wife and blending two families.

Education and Early Career

Collett’s early life was marked by:

• Attendance at Fleet Road School
• Enrollment at Yerbery Road School in Upper Holloway on October 5, 1896
• By 1911, he was described as an “un-denominational Evangelist”

This religious inclination would play a significant role in his later experiences aboard the Titanic and beyond.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Sidney Collett on the Titanic?

Sidney Collett boarded the Titanic to join his parents and siblings who had already migrated to Port Byron, New York. His father had become a pastor for the First Baptist Church there, and Sidney intended to continue his religious studies in America.

Boarding the Ill-Fated Ship

Collett’s journey to the Titanic was marked by several changes:

1. Initially booked passage on the St. Louis but was too late to secure a berth
2. Attempted to sail on the Philadelphia, but the voyage was cancelled due to a coal strike
3. Finally booked on the Titanic as a second-class passenger

He boarded in Southampton on April 10, 1912, with the ticket number 28034, which cost £10 10s.

Memorable Moments Aboard

During his time on the Titanic, Collett:

• Was tasked with looking after Marion Wright, a young lady traveling alone
• Participated in hymn services, even leading the singing
• Enjoyed supper with an unidentified young man from Guernsey on the night of the disaster

The Fateful Night

How did Sidney Collett survive the Titanic disaster?

Sidney Collett’s survival story is both dramatic and fortunate:

I jumped up, put on light clothing and went up on deck. The steam was blowing with a deafening noise. I did not see the iceberg myself. I talked to the officers and the Captain ordered us to get the ladies.

Collett managed to board lifeboat 9, being the last person to enter. He described the sinking:

I cannot describe the sinking in any other way than to say that it was like the noise from a football field, not loud like a shout of victory, but hushed as though there was canvas over it…

His vivid account provides a chilling perspective on one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Life After the Titanic

Educational Pursuits and Challenges

After surviving the Titanic, Collett:

• Attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio
• Planned to enter Rochester Theological Seminary
• Faced a horrific hazing incident in June 1913, where he was branded with silver nitrate, disfiguring him for life

Later Years

Collett’s later life was marked by:

• Working as a film examiner at the Kodak factory in Rochester by 1920
• Appearing on the 1939 UK register as an unmarried salesman in Southend-on-Sea, Essex
• Later being listed as a florist

Sidney Collett’s Final Years

When and how did Sidney Collett die?

Sidney Collett passed away on March 20, 1941, at the age of 54 (fifty-four). He died of prostate cancer at the Archway Hospital in Islington, London. Collett was buried at London Road Cemetery, Reading, Berkshire on March 28, 1941.

Legacy

Sidney Clarence Stuart Collett’s life encapsulates the broader narrative of the Titanic disaster and its long-lasting impact on survivors. His journey from a young, pious evangelist to a Titanic survivor, and then a man who faced both triumph and tragedy in his later years, serves as a poignant reminder of the varied fates of those who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.