Mr William Baird Silvey

Who was William Baird Silvey?

William Baird Silvey was a 51 (fifty-one) year-old American businessman who tragically perished in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. A first-class passenger, Silvey was traveling with his wife Alice after a European trip, leaving behind a legacy that intertwines with one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Military Heritage

A Family Steeped in Military Tradition

Born in February 1861 in Washington, DC, William Baird Silvey came from a family with deep military roots. His father, Major William Silvey, served as a lieutenant colonel in the First United States Artillery. This military background would shape young William’s early years and instill in him a sense of discipline and duty.

Siblings and Education

William grew up alongside two sisters:

• Isabella (born 1863 in Rhode Island)
• Frances “Fanny” (1866-1944, later Mrs. Fred Deshler, born in Connecticut)

After completing his early education, William went on to graduate from Brown University, setting the stage for his future business endeavors.

Business Career and Family Life

Settling in Duluth

In 1889, William Silvey made a significant move to Duluth, Minnesota, where he would establish himself as a prominent businessman and community leader. His decision to settle in this bustling port city on Lake Superior would shape the rest of his life.

Marriage and Family

On June 28, 1893, William married Alice Gray Munger, a native of Duluth from a well-known family. The couple had one child:

• Alice Melville (born March 1894)

Business Ventures and Community Involvement

William Silvey was actively involved in both business and public affairs in Duluth:

• Member of the public affairs committee of the Duluth Commercial Club
• Interests in the West Duluth Land Company
• Held the lease on the West Superior Hotel
• Previously held the lease on the Spalding Hotel, where the family lived for a time

His diverse business interests and community engagement made him a respected figure in Duluth society.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Transatlantic Voyage

In the spring of 1912, William and Alice Silvey embarked on a European trip, leaving their daughter Alice behind to study in Farmington, Connecticut. Their return journey would be aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Titanic Boarding Details

The Night of the Disaster

A Husband’s Final Act of Love

On the night of April 14, 1912, as the Titanic struck the iceberg, William Silvey demonstrated remarkable composure and care for his wife. He:

1. Instructed her to dress warmly
2. Cautioned her to follow all officers’ orders
3. Advised her to remain calm, believing there was no grave danger

The Final Farewell

As Alice Gray Silvey was ordered into Lifeboat 11, the couple shared a brief, poignant embrace - their last moment together. William Silvey, like many first-class male passengers, adhered to the “women and children first” protocol, sacrificing his life in the process.

Legacy and Aftermath

The Fate of William Silvey

William Silvey did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his final resting place as the cold depths of the North Atlantic.

Survivors and Descendants

• Alice Gray Silvey survived the disaster and later remarried, passing away in 1959.
• Their daughter, Alice Melville Silvey, never married and lived many years in New York before returning to Minnesota, where she died on October 24, 1975.

Remembering William Baird Silvey

William Baird Silvey’s life, cut short at 51 (fifty-one) years old, was one of accomplishment and civic duty. From his military family background to his business success in Duluth, Silvey exemplified the American spirit of his time. His final act of ensuring his wife’s survival on the Titanic stands as a testament to his character, forever linking him to one of the most famous maritime tragedies in history.