Mr Walter Donald Douglas

Who was Walter Donald Douglas?

Walter Donald Douglas was a 50 (fifty) year old American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on April 21, 1861, in Waterloo, Iowa, Douglas was a prominent businessman and millionaire who tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Business Success

What was Douglas’ background?

Walter Donald Douglas came from a family of successful entrepreneurs. His father, George B. Douglas, was a Scottish immigrant who co-founded what would later become the Quaker Oats Company. Growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Walter followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a renowned businessman in his own right.

How did Douglas build his fortune?

Douglas’ business acumen led him to amass a considerable fortune:

• Co-founded Douglas and Company Starchworks in 1903
• Expanded into the linseed oil business in Minneapolis
• Accumulated wealth estimated at $4 million (equivalent to over $100 million today)
• Associated with prominent businesses such as:
  • Saskatchewan Valley Land Company
  • Canadian Elevator Company
  • Monarch Lumber Company
  • Executive in Quaker Oat Company

Personal Life

Who were Douglas’ family members?

Walter Donald Douglas was married twice:

1. First wife: Lulu Eliza Camp (married May 19, 1884 - died December 12, 1899)
   • Two sons: George Camp (1885-1925) and Edward Bruce (1887-1946)
2. Second wife: Mahala Benedict, née Dutton (married November 6, 1906)

What was Douglas’ appearance and lifestyle?

According to his 1911 passport, Douglas was described as:

• Height: 5'8"
• Hair color: Grey
• Complexion: Fair
• Eye color: Grey
• Notable feature: Large nose

Douglas and his second wife, Mahala, lived a luxurious lifestyle. They built a mansion overlooking Lake Minnetonka near Minneapolis, which was said to be a copy of a French palace. The couple named their palatial retreat “Walden.”

The Titanic Journey

Why were the Douglases on the Titanic?

Walter Douglas retired on January 1, 1912, and embarked on a three-month tour of Europe with his wife Mahala. The purpose of their trip was to find furnishings for their newly built mansion. For their return to the USA, the Douglas couple boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France.

What were the details of their Titanic voyage?

• Ticket number: 17761
• Fare: £106 8s 6d
• Cabin: C86
• Traveling companions:
  • Mahala Douglas (wife)
  • Berthe Leroy (French maid)

During the voyage, the Douglases became acquainted with other Minnesotan passengers, including:

• Mr and Mrs John Pillsbury Snyder
• Mr and Mrs William Baird Silvey
• Miss Constance Willard

The Night of the Disaster

How did Douglas react to the collision?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas were in their cabin when the Titanic struck the iceberg. The impact was so slight that they initially paid little attention to it. With no immediate instructions to go to the deck, the couple remained in their cabin, with Walter reassuring his wife that there was no danger.

What were Douglas’ final moments?

As the situation became more serious, the Douglases noticed other passengers gathering in the corridors wearing lifebelts. They followed suit and made their way to the boat deck. Walter Douglas saw his wife and maid off in lifeboat 2 but refused to board himself, saying:

It would make me “less than a man” or “No, I must be a gentleman.”

According to eyewitness reports, Walter Douglas, dressed in his finest evening attire, helped lower the last lifeboat of survivors off the Titanic. This act of bravery and selflessness would be his last.

Recovery and Legacy

What happened to Douglas’ body?

Walter Donald Douglas perished in the sinking of the Titanic. His body was later recovered by the cable ship Mackay Bennett, identified as body number 62. The recovery report provided the following details:

How was Douglas remembered?

Upon hearing of the disaster, Walter’s brother George and his wife Irene rushed to New York, arriving on April 18, 1912, the same day the Carpathia docked with the Titanic survivors. Douglas’ body was returned to his hometown of Cedar Rapids, where he was laid to rest in the Douglas family mausoleum at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Walter Donald Douglas’ story is a testament to the bravery and chivalry displayed by many men during the Titanic disaster. His selfless act of ensuring the safety of women and children, including his own wife, at the cost of his own life, remains a poignant reminder of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.