William Ernest Carter

William Ernest Carter was a wealthy American businessman and Titanic survivor who gained notoriety for his controversial escape from the sinking ship and subsequent divorce. Born on June 19, 1875, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Carter was 36 (thirty-six) years old when he boarded the Titanic as a first-class passenger with his family.

Early Life and Background

What was William Carter’s family background?

William Ernest Carter came from a privileged background. His father, William Thornton Carter (1827-1893), was an English-born coal and iron baron who amassed a considerable fortune through his mining operations in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Carter’s mother, Cordelia “Nellie” Miranda Redington (1846-1934), hailed from Vermont.

Some key points about Carter’s early life:

• Born into wealth and high society
• Inherited a large fortune upon his father’s death in 1893
• Attended the University of Pennsylvania but dropped out to pursue sports
• Known as a keen sportsman, particularly interested in polo and hunting

Marriage and Social Status

In 1896, at the age of 21 (twenty-one), William Carter married Lucile Stewart Polk, described as one of Baltimore’s most beautiful young women. The wedding was a grand affair, with the Philadelphia Times reporting:

The Bride wore a handsome Princess gown of heavy white satin with train, a Marie Antoinette point lace collar and tulle veil, and carried a bouquet of white orchids.

The Carters had two children:

• Lucile Polk Carter, born in 1898
• William Thornton II Carter, born in 1900

As a couple, William and Lucile quickly became part of the elite social circles in Newport, Baltimore, New York, Washington, and Philadelphia. They owned multiple residences, including:

1. A home at 1910 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
2. “Gwedna,” their country estate in Bryn Mawr
3. “Quatrefoil,” a cottage in Newport, Rhode Island

Titanic Journey

Why did the Carters board the Titanic?

In March 1912, the Carter family decided to return to America after spending time in England. They initially booked passage on the Olympic but changed their plans at the last minute, securing cabins on the Titanic instead.

Titanic Boarding Details:

• Class: First Class
• Ticket Number: 113760
• Cabin: B-96 and 98
• Fare: £120
• Port of Embarkation: Southampton

The Carters traveled with an entourage, including:

• Augusta Serrepla, Mrs. Carter’s maid
• Alexander Cairns, Mr. Carter’s manservant
• Augustus Aldworth, Carter’s chauffeur (traveling second class)
• Two family pets: an Airedale terrier and a Pekinese spaniel

Interestingly, Carter’s 25 horsepower Renault automobile was also aboard, stored in the ship’s forward hold.

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, the Carters attended an exclusive dinner party in honor of Captain Smith in the à la carte restaurant. After the ladies retired, William Carter joined other men in the smoking room for cards and conversation.

What happened to the Carter family when the Titanic struck the iceberg?

When the ship struck the iceberg, Mr. Carter woke his wife and told her to dress herself and their children. According to Mrs. Carter’s later testimony, this was the last she saw of her husband until after their rescue.

The fate of the Carter family unfolded as follows:

1. Mrs. Carter and the children were placed in lifeboat 4
2. William Carter ended up in collapsible lifeboat C, along with J. Bruce Ismay
3. The family’s pets and automobile were lost in the sinking

Aftermath and Controversy

Upon reaching New York, Carter faced criticism for surviving as a male passenger. He defended himself and J. Bruce Ismay, stating:

Mr Ismay and myself and several officers walked up and down the deck, crying ‘are there any more women?’ We called for several minutes, and there was no answer… Mr Ismay called again, and getting no reply, we embarked… I can only say that Mr Ismay entered the boat only after he saw that there were no more women on deck.

How did the Titanic disaster affect the Carters’ marriage?

The Titanic disaster had a profound impact on the Carters’ relationship. In June 1914, just two years after the sinking, Lucile Carter filed for divorce. The reasons cited included:

• Desertion aboard the Titanic
• Unpredictable behavior
• Physical and mental abuse

Mrs. Carter provided shocking testimony about her husband’s behavior, including an incident where he allegedly horsewhipped her after she protested his cruel treatment of a grasshopper.

Later Life and Legacy

Following his divorce, William Carter:

• Lived at Ivy Cottage in Rosemont, Pennsylvania
• Continued working in banking with Cassatt & Company in Philadelphia
• Traveled frequently to Europe on business
• Never remarried

In his later years, Carter spent much of his time at his farm in Unionville, Pennsylvania, where he raised prize-winning Black Horn Angus cattle.

When and how did William Carter die?

William Ernest Carter died on March 20, 1940, at the age of 65 (sixty-five). He passed away while on vacation in Palm Beach, Florida, due to empyema of the gallbladder. Carter was buried in the Ashland section (plot 30) of West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, alongside his parents.

William Ernest Carter’s life was marked by privilege, controversy, and the indelible impact of surviving one of history’s most famous maritime disasters. His story serves as a complex footnote in the Titanic’s legacy, highlighting the often-complicated fates of those who survived that fateful night.