Mr William Gilbert

Who was William Gilbert?

William Gilbert was a 46 (forty-six) year-old English passenger who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on July 26, 1865, in Breage, Cornwall, Gilbert was an inventive and skilled craftsman who had spent much of his adult life working in Butte, Montana, before embarking on his final journey aboard the ill-fated vessel.

Early Life and Cornish Roots

A Family of Miners and Craftsmen

William Gilbert was born into a family with deep ties to Cornwall’s mining industry. His father, Thomas Gilbert, worked as a miner in Butte, Montana, making occasional visits back to Cornwall. William’s early years were shaped by his family’s connection to both Cornwall and the mining communities of the American West.

Parents: Thomas Gilbert (b. 1839) and Elizabeth Williams (b. 1841)
Siblings: Mary (b. 1867) and Thomas (b. 1877)

Apprenticeship and Early Career

By the age of 16, William had begun his professional journey as a wheelwright’s apprentice under the tutelage of a Mr. Joyce. This early training would prove instrumental in developing the skills that would define his later pursuits.

A Life Between Two Continents

Butte, Montana: A Second Home

Following in his father’s footsteps, William sought opportunities in Butte, Montana. He secured employment in a joinery shop and emigrated around 1892. His time in Butte was marked by:

Working as an ore miner
Staying at his sister Mary’s boarding house, known for its Cornish pasties and saffron cake
Maintaining connections with the Cornish community in America

A Man of Many Talents

William Gilbert’s nephew later recounted his uncle’s diverse interests and skills:

“His main interests were electrical engineering and technical drawing. I have heard that he was very clever and had an inventive mind.”

Gilbert’s inventive spirit led him to create various items, including:

A model sailing boat
A violin
Electrical experiments and motors

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did William Gilbert board the Titanic?

William Gilbert boarded the Titanic as a second-class passenger for his return journey to America after a three-month holiday in Cornwall. He had deliberately delayed his return to coincide with the maiden voyage of the grand ship.

Key details of his Titanic journey:

Embarked from: Southampton
Ticket number: 30769
Fare paid: £10 10s
Class: Second Class

The Tragic Fate of William Gilbert

William Gilbert did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. This tragic event cut short the life of a man described as clever, inventive, and full of potential.

Memorials and Remembrances

Family gravestone in Breage parish church cemetery
Memorial window originally placed in Carleen Chapel
His mother, Eliza, received a weekly pension from the Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund

Legacy and Family Impact

A Name Carried On

On May 8, 1912, just 24 days after the Titanic disaster, William’s brother’s wife gave birth to a baby boy. In a poignant tribute, the child was named William in memory of his uncle.

Remembered Inventions and Aspirations

William Gilbert’s legacy lives on through family recollections of his inventive nature and aspirations:

He believed in the possibility of perpetual motion
Hoped to patent one of his inventions in America
Was an amateur photographer, using an old-fashioned wood camera and glass negative plates

The Cornish Connection in New York

During his travels between Cornwall and America, William often stayed at the Cornish Arms Hotel in New York. The proprietor, Sid Blake, wrote to the Butte Tribune on April 21, 1912, expressing his sorrow at the loss of many Cornish people in the Titanic disaster, making special mention of William Gilbert.

William Gilbert’s story is a testament to the spirit of innovation and adventure that characterized many of the Titanic’s passengers. His life, cut short at 46 (forty-six) years old, serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster and the potential lost in its icy waters.