Esther Hart (Titanic survivor)

Esther Hart

Esther (at the right) with her husband, Benjamin (who disappeared aboard the Titanic) and her daughter Eva
Born (1863-05-13)13 May 1863
Died 7 September 1928(1928-09-07) (aged 65)
Spouse(s) Benjamin Hart
Children Eva Hart

Esther Ada Hart (née Bloomfield) was a survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. She, her husband Benjamin, and their daughter, Eva, decided to immigrate to Canada due to the higher standard of living. The Harts boarded the Titanic on 10 April 1912 on its maiden voyage to New York City. They were second-class passengers.[1]

Esther expressed anxiety towards the ship, claiming that the arrogance surrounding it was "flying in the face of God" and that "something dreadful" would happen which would result in it not arriving at New York. As a result of this premonition, she did not sleep at night. Instead, she stayed up every night fully dressed in anticipation of the "dreadful something" to happen.[2] She slept during the day. Because of this, she was awake when the ship struck the iceberg on the night of 14 April and felt the impact. The Harts went up on deck and Esther and Eva boarded Lifeboat 14, while Benjamin went down with the ship when it sank. Esther and Eva were separated from each other when their boat's occupants were dispersed among several other boats. They were later rescued by the RMS Carpathia.

They stayed briefly in New York before returning to the United Kingdom, all hopes of a new life in Canada having died with Benjamin. They lived in Chadwell Heath, near London, with Esther's parents. She died on 7 September 1928 at age 65. Both she and Eva always maintained that the Titanic broke in half before sinking, a question that would not be solved until the wreck was found in 1985.

On 26 April 2014, a letter written by Esther on that fateful day was sold at an auction for the price of £119,000. It only survived because it had been placed in the husband's jacket and was given to her to keep her warm. It is reported to be the last written communication from the RMS Titanic.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Esther Ada Hart: Titanic Survivor". Encyclopedia Titanica. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  2. ↑ Altner, Sandi (25 March 2012). "Titanic Survivor Esther Bloomfield Hart Recalls Tragic Sinking". Ravenscraig. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Titanic: Last letter sells for £119,000 at auction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-27169197.
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