Mr Walter Chamberlain Porter

Who was Walter Chamberlain Porter?

Walter Chamberlain Porter was a 46 (forty-six) year-old American businessman and first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on May 13, 1865, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Porter was a prominent figure in the shoe last manufacturing industry and met a tragic end during the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Business Career

What was Porter’s background?

Walter C. Porter was born into a family deeply rooted in the shoe manufacturing industry. His father, Samuel Porter, owned the Samuel Porter Last Manufacturing Company in Worcester, Massachusetts. Porter’s early life was shaped by this family business, which specialized in producing wooden shoe lasts - molds used in the shoemaking process.

How did Porter’s career progress?

Porter’s career trajectory in the family business was marked by several key milestones:

• Joined his father’s company at a young age
• Learned the intricacies of last making
• Became sales manager of the firm
• Partnered with his father in 1897
• Bought out the business with Walter E. Bigelow on August 1, 1903

Under Porter’s leadership, the company saw significant growth, expanding its sales territory across North America and Europe.

A Youthful Adventure

“While a young man of 21 years of age, Mr. Porter secured a leave of absence from his work and cruised from Boston through the West Indies to South American waters aboard a large sloop-rigged pleasure yacht with friends.”

This early adventure nearly ended in disaster when the yacht encountered a hurricane. Porter’s narrow escape from shipwreck foreshadowed his eventual fate on the Titanic.

European Business Tour

In February 1912, Porter embarked on his first foreign business trip to strengthen relationships with European customers. He sailed from Boston on the Megantic, another White Star liner, on February 20, 1912, accompanied by two business associates:

• George Quincy Clifford
• John Edward Maguire

The trio visited trade centers in England, Germany, France, Austria, and other European countries.

Titanic Journey

Why was Porter on the Titanic?

Porter boarded the Titanic in Southampton as a first-class passenger, eager to return home after his successful European tour. His ticket (no. 110465) cost £52, and he occupied cabin C-110.

What were Porter’s last words before the voyage?

In his final letter home, dated March 31, 1912, Porter wrote to his business partner Walter E. Bigelow:

“The coal strike is serious, but the officers of the White Star line assure us that the Titanic will sail April 10 on schedule time. I have had a fine trip, enjoyed every minute of it, and have found business prospects quite bright, but how do I wish it was today instead of the 10th of April that I was going to sail for home.”

Fate During the Disaster

Walter C. Porter did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, listed as body number 207. The detailed description of his recovered belongings paints a poignant picture of a well-to-do businessman of the era:

Legacy and Remembrance

How is Porter remembered today?

1. Family Heirloom: The diamond from Porter’s recovered stickpin is now worn as an engagement ring by a descendant.
2. Media Recognition: In 1997, the TV show “EXTRA” featured this diamond, dubbing it “the real Titanic diamond.”
3. Business Legacy: The Samuel Porter Last Manufacturing Company’s former location at 25 Union St., Worcester, MA, is now Maxwell Silverman’s Toolhouse Restaurant and Club Maxines, preserving a piece of industrial history.

Walter C. Porter’s life and tragic death on the Titanic serve as a poignant reminder of the many successful businessmen who perished in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. His story intertwines personal ambition, industrial progress, and the cruel twist of fate that befell the passengers of the “unsinkable” ship.