Mrs Vera Dick: A Titanic Survivor’s Tale

Mrs Vera Dick was a 20 (twenty) year-old Canadian first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born Vera Gillespie on June 12, 1891, in Woodstock, Ontario, she embarked on the ill-fated voyage as a newlywed, only to face a harrowing experience that would shape the rest of her life.

Early Life and Family Background

Vera Dick came from a modest Canadian family:

• Father: Frederick William Gillespie (1865-1952), a machinist
• Mother: Annie Eliza Crane (1871-1946)
• Brothers:
  • Wilbur Frederick (1898-1983)
  • Carl Alfred (1900-1905)
  • Verne Albert (1913-1933)

Initially residing in Woodstock, Ontario, the Gillespie family later relocated to Calgary, Alberta, where Vera spent her formative years.

A Fateful Wedding and Titanic Journey

When did Vera Dick board the Titanic?

Vera married Albert Adrian Dick on May 31, 1911 – coincidentally, the same day the Titanic was launched. Less than a year into their marriage, the couple embarked on what was meant to be a grand voyage aboard the world’s most luxurious ocean liner.

“We boarded the Titanic at Southampton as first-class passengers, full of excitement for the journey ahead.” - Vera Dick

Titanic Boarding Details:

• Embarked: Southampton
• Class: First-class
• Cabin: B-20
• Ticket number: 17474
• Fare: £57

The Night of the Disaster

What happened to Vera Dick during the Titanic sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Vera and her husband Albert found themselves in the midst of one of history’s greatest maritime disasters. As the ship struck an iceberg and began to sink, the couple faced a terrifying ordeal.

Vera was rescued in lifeboat 3, wearing only a nightgown and kimono. In the chaos and rush to evacuate, she lost all her jewelry, including a heart-shaped ruby – a detail that some speculate may have inspired the fictional “Heart of the Ocean” in James Cameron’s 1997 film “Titanic.”

Did Vera Dick hear the band’s final performance?

Among the most poignant memories Vera carried from that night was her claim to have heard the ship’s band playing “Nearer, My God, to Thee” as the Titanic slipped beneath the waves. This account aligns with other survivors’ testimonies and has become part of the enduring legend of the Titanic’s final moments.

Life After the Titanic

Vera Dick’s survival of the Titanic disaster marked only the beginning of a long life:

Vera and Albert had one child, Gilda, who passed away in 1992. Vera herself lived to the age of 82 (eighty-two), spending her final years in Banff, Alberta, where she died on October 7, 1973.

Legacy and Impact

Vera Dick’s experience as a Titanic survivor left an indelible mark on her life and contributed to the collective memory of the disaster. Her account of the sinking, particularly her recollection of the band’s final performance, has helped to paint a vivid picture of the Titanic’s last moments.

The loss of her heart-shaped ruby pendant during the evacuation has intrigued Titanic enthusiasts for decades, drawing parallels with fictional accounts and highlighting the personal losses suffered by survivors beyond the tragedy itself.

As one of the first-class survivors, Vera’s story provides insight into the experiences of the Titanic’s more privileged passengers, while also underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the disaster that claimed lives across all classes.

Vera Dick’s survival and subsequent long life serve as a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors, who carried their experiences with them for decades, helping to keep the memory of that fateful night alive for future generations.