Master William Rowe Richards

Who was William Rowe Richards?

Master William Rowe Richards was a 3 (three) year-old English boy who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on April 1, 1909, in Penzance, Cornwall, William was one of the youngest second-class passengers aboard the ill-fated ship. His remarkable story of survival and subsequent life make him a notable figure in Titanic history.

Early Life and Family Background

William Rowe Richards was born into a Cornish family with strong ties to the region:

• Parents: James Sibley Richards (1887-1939) and Emily Richards (1887-1972)
• Birthplace: 6 St Mary’s Street, Penzance, Cornwall, England
• Siblings: Sibley George Richards (born 1911)

The Richards family initially lived in a boarding house run by William’s grandmother, Eliza Hocking, before moving to ‘The Meadow’ in Newlyn, Cornwall. William’s early years were marked by significant family changes, including his father and uncle’s emigration to Akron, Ohio.

The Titanic Journey

Why did the Richards family board the Titanic?

The Richards family boarded the Titanic to reunite with William’s father in Akron, Ohio. They embarked at Southampton as second-class passengers, having been transferred from the Oceanic.

Key details of their Titanic journey:

• Ticket number: 29106
• Fare: £18 15s (18 pounds, 15 shillings)
• Traveling companions:
  • Eliza Hocking (grandmother)
  • Ellen Hocking (aunt)
  • Richard George Hocking (uncle)
  • Ellen Wilkes (great-aunt)

The Night of the Disaster

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, young William and his brother were asleep in their cabin with their mother when their grandmother alerted them to the danger. The family’s quick action led to their survival, but tragically, William’s uncle Richard George Hocking was among those lost in the disaster.

How did William survive the sinking?

William’s survival story is both unique and touching:

1. He was hoisted aboard the rescue ship Carpathia in a sack.
2. The same sack was later fashioned into a makeshift garment for him.
3. He was photographed wearing this improvised clothing upon arrival in New York.

Life After the Titanic

William’s life after the Titanic was marked by several significant events:

• 1914: Family returned to England following his grandmother’s death
• 1929: Married Edith Melva Frances Hicks on May 26
• Children: George Hocking (1930-1998), Mavis (b. 1932), and Jeanette (b. 1945)
• World War II: Served in the Royal Navy, participated in the Dunkirk evacuations
• Post-war: Worked as a general manager in a smoked salmon company

How did the Titanic experience impact William’s later life?

Despite having few personal recollections of the Titanic disaster, William was frequently sought out for interviews by local media. This suggests that the experience remained a significant part of his identity throughout his life.

Later Years and Legacy

In his later years, William faced several personal changes:

• Divorced from Melva and later lived with Barbara Grace
• Moved to Carbis Bay, St Ives, Cornwall
• Named his final home “Carpathia Longstone” after the ship that rescued him

William Rowe Richards passed away on January 9, 1988, at the age of 78 (seventy-eight), following a heart attack. He was interred in Longstone Cemetery, Carbis Bay, Cornwall.

What is William Rowe Richards’ place in Titanic history?

As one of the youngest survivors of the Titanic disaster, William Rowe Richards represents a unique link to this historic event. His survival story, particularly the image of him in the makeshift sack-garment, has become an iconic representation of the human impact of the tragedy. His willingness to share his story in later years, despite having limited personal memories, helped keep the history of the Titanic alive for future generations.