Mr Lawrence Beesley

Who was Lawrence Beesley?

Lawrence Beesley was a 34 (thirty-four) year-old English teacher who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on December 31, 1877, in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, Beesley’s experience on the ill-fated ship would later inspire him to write a successful book about the disaster.

Early Life and Education

What was Beesley’s educational background?

Lawrence Beesley’s academic journey was marked by excellence:

• Attended Derby School on scholarship
• Studied at Caius College, Cambridge as a scholar and prizeman
• Achieved a ‘First Class’ in the National Science Tripos in 1903

His educational achievements set the foundation for his future career as a science teacher.

Career and Personal Life

Before boarding the Titanic, Beesley had established himself as an educator:

• Taught for two years at Wirksworth Grammar School
• Moved to Dulwich College in 1904 as a science master

Tragically, Beesley’s first wife, Gertrude Cecile “Cissie” Macbeth, whom he married in 1901, passed away in 1906 due to a respiratory illness. The couple had one son, Alec Macbeth Beesley, born on October 15, 1903.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Beesley on the Titanic?

According to contemporary reports, Lawrence Beesley had resigned from his teaching position to embark on a holiday in the United States and visit his brother in Toronto. He boarded the Titanic as a second-class passenger at Southampton, holding ticket number 248698, which cost £13.

What were Beesley’s experiences during the Titanic’s final hours?

Beesley’s account of the Titanic’s sinking provides a vivid narrative:

1. He was reading in his cabin (D-56) when the collision occurred
2. Initially, he only noticed a slight change in the ship’s movement
3. After being told by a steward that nothing was wrong, he went to A-Deck
4. He returned to his cabin, noticing an odd sensation while descending the stairs
5. Upon returning to A-Deck, he found the ship’s list had worsened

Survival and Rescue

How did Beesley survive the Titanic disaster?

Lawrence Beesley’s survival story is one of narrow escapes:

• He boarded lifeboat 13, which was lowered at 1:25 AM with 64 people aboard
• The lifeboat nearly flooded due to water discharging from the ship
• They narrowly avoided being crushed by lifeboat 15, which was descending above them
• Beesley witnessed the Titanic’s final moments, watching its lights blink out

“At 4:45 boat 13 tied up alongside the Carpathia and Beesley was soon aboard, relieved to feel a solid deck beneath his feet once again.”

Legacy and Later Life

What impact did the Titanic have on Beesley’s life?

The Titanic disaster profoundly influenced Beesley’s subsequent years:

• He authored a successful book, “The Loss of the SS Titanic,” about his experience
• In 1919, he remarried to Muriel “Mollie” Greenwood and had three more sons
• Later became headmaster of Normandale preparatory school in Bexhill

Interestingly, Lawrence Beesley attended the filming of “A Night to Remember” and famously attempted to remain on the ship during the sinking scenes, showcasing his enduring connection to the Titanic story.

Beesley’s Final Years

Lawrence Beesley lived a long life after his brush with death on the Titanic. He passed away on February 14, 1967, at the age of 89 (eighty-nine), having left an indelible mark on Titanic history through his firsthand account and continued engagement with the ship’s legacy.