Mr William Angle

Who was William Angle?

William Angle was a 30 (thirty) year-old English tile maker who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. As a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, Angle’s story is one of both ambition and heartbreak, highlighting the human cost of the disaster.

Early Life and Background

A Staffordshire Native

Born on May 8, 1881, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, William Angle came from a family deeply rooted in the pottery industry. His father, George Angle (1847-1904), was a potter and tile maker, while his mother, Ellen Fallows (1851-1929), was also a Staffordshire native.

Family and Siblings

William was one of five children in the Angle family:

• Mary Ann (born 1874)
• Thomas (born 1877)
• George (born 1878)
• William (born 1881)
• Ellen (born 1890)

Following in His Father’s Footsteps

Like his father, William pursued a career in tile making. By 1901, he was living as a lodger in Aston, Birmingham, working as a tile maker and fixer. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Florence Agnes Hughes, a nurse born in 1876.

Journey to America and Return

First Voyage to the United States

“William had previously spent time in the USA and on 16 November 1904 he had left British shores with several other men of his trade aboard the Baltic which was, at the time, commanded by none other than Captain Edward James Smith.”

This early connection to Captain Smith, who would later command the Titanic, adds a poignant layer to William’s story.

Marriage and Emigration

William and Florence married in late 1906 and quickly embarked on a new life together. Just weeks after their wedding, on November 24, 1906, they emigrated to the United States aboard the Campania.

Life in New York

By 1912, the Angles had established their home at 339 West 19th Street, Manhattan. They had no children at the time.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Return to England and Booking Passage

In late 1911, William and Florence returned to England to visit relatives, including William’s elderly mother in Stoke. For their return journey to New York, they booked passage on the Titanic as second-class passengers.

Titanic Details:

• Class: 2nd Class
• Ticket Number: 226875
• Fare: £26
• Port of Embarkation: Southampton

The Night of the Disaster

Florence Angle provided a chilling account of the night of April 14-15, 1912, in an interview given in 1961:

1. William woke Florence after the collision, telling her something had happened.
2. He went to investigate while she fell back asleep.
3. The commotion outside their cabin finally roused Florence.
4. The couple went to the upper decks together.
5. They were separated, and Florence was put into a lifeboat.
6. The last Florence saw of William was him waving from the deck.

What Was William Angle’s Fate?

William Angle did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. This tragic outcome left Florence a young widow, forced to return to England alone.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Widow’s Return

Florence Angle survived the disaster and returned to England, where she lived until her death in 1969. Her survival and William’s loss were reported in the Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser on April 27, 1912:

“THE TITANIC DISASTER–After the publication of our last issue Nurse Hughes, of Mill Street, received a cablegram stating that her sister, Mrs Angle, had been saved and her brother-in-law drowned.”

Remembering the Lost

William Angle’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. As one of the many victims of the Titanic, his tale contributes to the broader narrative of the tragedy, highlighting the personal stories behind the statistics.

William Angle’s life, though ended prematurely at the age of 30 (thirty), was one of ambition and love. From his roots in Staffordshire to his pursuit of opportunity in America, his journey reflects the aspirations of many who boarded the Titanic. While his story ended tragically, it remains an important part of the Titanic’s enduring legacy.