William Thornton Carter II

William Thornton Carter II was a young American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born into a wealthy family, his experience aboard the ill-fated ship and subsequent survival left an indelible mark on his life.

Early Life and Background

William Thornton Carter II was born on September 14, 1900, in Narragansett Pier, Washington County, Rhode Island. He was the son of William Ernest Carter and Lucile Stewart Polk, affluent Americans from Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. His family background was one of considerable wealth and privilege:

• Father: William Ernest Carter, a banker and heir to a coal and iron fortune
• Mother: Lucile Stewart Polk, daughter of affluent insurance brokers in Baltimore
• Sister: Lucile Polk Carter, born in 1897

The Carter family resided in Radnor township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, where they enjoyed a life of luxury and social prominence.

The Titanic Journey

Why was the Carter family aboard the Titanic?

The Carter family boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton following a trip to Europe. They traveled as first-class passengers, a testament to their social status and wealth. Their journey details included:

• Ticket number: 113760
• Fare: £120
• Cabin: B96/98
• Servants accompanying them:
  1. Alexander Cairns
  2. Augusta Serreplaà
  3. Augustus Aldworth (traveling in second class)

Interestingly, the family also brought along their pet Airedale dog, adding a personal touch to their voyage.

The Night of the Disaster

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, the Carter family found themselves amidst the chaos of the Titanic’s sinking. Their experience was both harrowing and dramatic:

1. The family was among the first-class passengers designated to board lifeboat 4.
2. There was confusion and delay in loading the lifeboat due to difficulties in opening the windows on A-deck.
3. A poignant moment occurred when young William was forced to leave his beloved dog behind.

Colonel John Jacob Astor reassured the weeping boy that he would look after the animal. The last William saw of his dog was Astor holding its leash.

How did William and his family survive?

William Carter II, along with his mother, sister, father, and their maid Augusta Serreplaà, all survived the sinking. They were among the fortunate first-class survivors who managed to escape the disaster. However, the experience had far-reaching consequences for the family:

• The survival of William’s father allegedly led to marital strife.
• His parents divorced in June 1914, with his mother citing his father’s survival as a factor in their separation.

Life After the Titanic

Education and Travel

In 1919, at the age of 18 (eighteen), William accompanied his father to Europe aboard the Mauretania. His intention was to study in England, France, Switzerland, and Italy. His passport description at the time painted a picture of a young man:

Career and Family Life

Following in his father’s footsteps, William entered the banking world. His personal life was marked by:

• Marriage to Cintra Hutchinson Ellis on May 12, 1925, in Rosemont, Pennsylvania
• Two children: Rudulph Ellis (born 1926) and Cintra Helen (born 1930)
• Residence in the affluent Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
• Extensive travel, appearing on passenger manifests for ships such as France, Homeric, Monarch of Bermuda, Aquitania, and Ile de France

Later in life, William divorced Cintra and remarried Ella de Tréville Snelling, a native of Boston.

Legacy and Final Years

William Thornton Carter II’s life was profoundly shaped by his Titanic experience. Some notable aspects of his later years include:

• He disliked discussing the Titanic and discouraged media inquiries about the event.
• Despite having no direct human loss in the disaster, he remained emotionally affected by the loss of his dog.
• He continued to be an avid animal lover throughout his life.

William Thornton Carter II passed away on January 28, 1985, at the age of 84 (eighty-four). He was laid to rest in the Carter family mausoleum at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

As the last surviving member of the Carter family aboard the Titanic, William’s death marked the end of an era. His passing left only two surviving first-class passengers from the disaster, underscoring the dwindling number of direct links to this historic event.