Mr Victor Francis Sunderland

Victor Francis Sunderland was a 20 (twenty) year-old English farmer who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on March 17, 1892, in Upton Park, Essex, England, Sunderland’s journey on the ill-fated ship would become a defining moment in his life, shaping his future and leaving an indelible mark on history.

Early Life and Background

What was Victor Sunderland’s family like?

Victor Sunderland came from a large family. He was the eldest child of James William Sunderland, a boilermaker and later house decorator from Southampton, and Marie Catherine Foley, who had Irish roots. Victor had several siblings:

• Marion Theresa (aka Daisy)
• James William
• Phillip
• Albert Edward (who died in infancy)
• Mary Teresa

Growing up in Essex, Victor’s early years were spent in a bustling household. By 1901, the family was living at 292 Millen Road in West Ham, Essex. A decade later, they had moved to 19 Marlborough Road, Forest Gate, East Ham, Essex.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Victor Sunderland on the Titanic?

As a resident of London, Victor Sunderland was traveling to Cleveland, Ohio, to stay with his uncle, J.P. Foley. He boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger, holding ticket number SOTON/OQ 392089, which cost £8 1s.

What was Sunderland’s experience on the night of the collision?

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Sunderland was in his bunk in Section G of the Titanic. He and two cabin mates were smoking when, shortly before midnight, they felt a slight jar and heard a noise “similar to that (of) a basket of coal would make if dropped on an iron plate.”

The sequence of events that followed was dramatic:

1. Sunderland and six others went to the main deck but were told by a steward to return to their cabins.
2. They saw ice on the deck but were assured nothing was wrong.
3. After returning to their bunks, water suddenly started pouring in under the door.
4. Realizing the danger, Sunderland and two companions ran back to the main deck.
5. They found their cabin already underwater when they tried to retrieve life preservers.

Fate During the Disaster

How did Victor Sunderland survive the sinking?

Sunderland’s survival story is one of quick thinking and fortune:

1. He made his way to the boat deck, which was crowded with passengers.
2. Unable to find a lifebelt, Sunderland stayed near Second Officer Lightoller and firemen trying to launch Collapsible B.
3. As the ship began to sink rapidly, Sunderland jumped overboard.
4. He swam to Collapsible B, which had been washed overboard.
5. Sunderland and about 27 or 28 other men climbed onto the overturned boat.
6. In the early morning, they were spotted by the Carpathia and transferred to lifeboat 12.

“Someone aboard asked how many Catholics were onboard and the same person began to say the Lord’s Prayer and then the Hail Mary, with the others following.”

This poignant moment highlights the desperation and faith of the survivors clinging to Collapsible B.

Life After the Titanic

What happened to Victor Sunderland after the disaster?

After arriving in New York aboard the Carpathia, Sunderland’s journey continued:

• He was taken to the Salvation Army home and briefly hospitalized at St. Vincent’s Hospital.
• From April 20-24, he attempted to recover lost money from the White Star offices and “saw the sights” of New York.
• On April 26, he surprised his uncle by showing up unexpectedly in Cleveland.

How did the Titanic experience shape Sunderland’s later life?

Victor Sunderland’s life took a new direction after the Titanic:

1. He settled in Toronto, Canada.
2. On June 12, 1914, he married May Annie McNaughton, a Scottish immigrant.
3. They had one son, Kenneth Byron, born on April 23, 1915, who later became a physician.
4. Sunderland worked as a plumber until his retirement.

A 1949 immigration record provides a vivid description of Sunderland:

What was Victor Sunderland’s legacy?

Victor Sunderland’s survival of the Titanic became a defining part of his identity. His experience was recorded and has contributed to our understanding of the disaster from a third-class passenger’s perspective. Sunderland’s story highlights the chaos and confusion during the sinking, as well as the remarkable resilience of survivors.

Victor Sunderland passed away on August 21, 1973, at the age of 81 (eighty-one) in Toronto. He and his wife, who died in December 1978, are buried together in Saint John’s Norway Cemetery, Toronto. Their son Kenneth died on September 30, 1981.

Sunderland’s journey from a young farmer in England to a Titanic survivor and eventually a long-time resident of Toronto exemplifies the life-changing impact of the disaster on its survivors. His story continues to fascinate historians and Titanic enthusiasts, providing a personal narrative to one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.