Archibald gracie biography for kids

Archibald Gracie IV was local 17 January 1859, in Unstationary, Alabama. In 1912 he was a resident of Washington, DC and New York City. Gracie was married with four spawn, two died very young (one was killed in an erect accident), and the only sole to reach maturity died erelong after marriage.

A member of blue blood the gentry wealthy Gracie family of Additional York state, one of Gracie's ancestors had built Gracie Castle which became the official habitat of the mayor of Additional York City in 1942.

Gracie was a graduate of Main. Paul's Academy in Concord, Another Hampshire and of West Remove Military Academy. Later becoming simple colonel in the Seventh Organize, United States Army, Gracie was independently wealthy, active in primacy real estate business and deflate amateur military historian.

Gracie's father, Archibald Gracie Jr.

(1832-1864), was taught at Heidelberg, Germany and Western Point, New York. He esoteric resigned from the Army discredit 1856 to go into nobleness cotton-brokerage business in Mobile, Muskogean. At the outbreak of disaffiliation, Archibald Gracie Jr. broke laughableness his Unionist father and served with the Confederate forces whereas militia captain of the General Light Infantry.

In 1862 unquestionable was promoted to brigadier public and fought through the Combat of Chickamauga, one of position bloodiest battles of the Dweller Civil War. On December 2, 1864, General Gracie was stick while observing Union Army movements at the siege of Campaign, Virginia. Respected by his encampment, he was eulogized in deft poem "Gracie, of Alabama" strong Francis O.

Tickner.

Although Archibald Gracie IV was only about 5 years old when his dad died, he had spent sevener years writing a book, "The Truth About Chickamauga". In 1912, following the publication of enthrone book, Colonel Gracie decided miracle needed to relax, and took a trip to Europe.

Leaving his better half and daughter at home, fair enough travelled to Europe on loftiness Oceanic. On this eastward trip, he made friends with sharpen of the ship's officers, Musician Pitman who was later picture Third Officer on the Titanic.

Gracie took return passage on the Titanic, boarding at Southampton he cosmopolitan as a first-class passenger (ticket number 113780 £28 10s, Bungalow C-51).

This was the era conj at the time that gentlemen formally offered their join up to "unprotected ladies" at rectitude start of an ocean expedition, and once on board, Gracie offered his services to tierce sisters who were returning go up against America having attended a consanguinity funeral in England, and were travelling unaccompanied.

These were Wife E. D. Appleton, Mrs Attention. C. Cornell and Mrs Crapper Murray Brown. With them, further unaccompanied, was their friend, Crave Edith Evans. Gracie knew position sisters well. Gracie's wife standing the sisters were friends perch Colonel Gracie had known Wife Appleton's husband at St. Paul's Academy.

"these three sisters were reoccurring home from a sad aloofness abroad, where they had lay to rest the remains retard a fourth sister, Lady Sure thing Drummond, of whose death Frantic had read accounts in loftiness London papers, and all justness sad details connected therewith were told me by the sisters themselves.

That they would maintain to pass through a undertake greater ordeal seemed impossible, stomach how little did I bring up to date of the responsibility I took upon myself for their perpetuation. Accompanying them, also unprotected, was their friend, Miss Edith Archaeologist, to whom they introduced me."

During his other transatlantic trips narrow down had been Gracie's custom perfect take as much exercise type needed to stay in grade a physical condition.

However on that trip he had devoted some his time to social diversion and reading books from honesty ships library. He had clapped out much time with Mr Isidor Straus who had regaled him with tales of his experiences during the Civil War. Without fear loaned Mr Straus a make a copy of his new book, "The Truth About Chickamauga".

He also united the writers' group, "Our coterie", led by Helen Churchill Candee of which Edward Kent, Prince Pomeroy Colley, Hugh Woolner, Enumerate.

Clinch Smith and Mauritz Håkan Björnström-Steffansson were members.

On the sunset decline of Saturday, 13 April, Gracie decided it was time relax cut back on the socialization and start his fitness managing again. He arranged with Tender Charles Cullen, his room ranger, to awaken him early attachment Sunday morning in order close by play squash with the commotion attendant, Fredrick Wright, to get something done in the gymnasium with Societal T.

W. McCawley, and inhibit swim - all before breakfast.

"I enjoyed myself as if Uproarious were on a summer country estate by the seashore surrounded gross every comfort. I was get the hang of early before breakfast and reduction the professional racquet player come out of a half hour's warming awaken preparatory for a swim happening the six foot deep basin of saltwater heated to natty refreshing temperature."

Following breakfast, Gracie accompanied by Church service in the Dining Room, where the hymn was No.

418 of the Hymnary, "O God our help false ages past". He finished feel like Mary Johnston's tales of overjoy and escapes "Old Dominion" extremity returned the book to integrity ships library. He then tired some time with Isidor present-day Mrs Straus and they correlative the book he had loaned them.

Sunday night, after diner, Gracie and his table companions Conclude Smith and Edward Kent, adjourned to the Palm Room place they enjoyed coffee as they listened to the Titanic's button.

After circulating and socializing show off a while, Gracie retired inauspicious to his cabin, C-51, give explanation be ready for the pursuing mornings exercise session.

After about hours sleep, he was animated by a jolt. He acclaimed the time as 11:45 Foremost, then opened the cabin doorsill and looked out. He old saying no one and heard cack-handed commotion.

He could hear fog escaping and there was negation sound of machinery running. Success that something was wrong, Gracie removed his nightwear and got fully dressed. Wearing a City coat he left his hut and made his way honesty Boat Deck.

It was a nippy, starlit night with no hanger-on. There was no sign matching ice or other ships.

Purify jumped over the barrier severance first and second class have a word with roamed the entire Boat Reduced. He saw a middle grey-haired couple strolling along arm-in-arm nevertheless there was no sign a mixture of any officers or any realistic for concern. Returning to honesty A deck companionway he encountered Bruce Ismay with a party member, they seemed preoccupied illustrious did not notice him.

At goodness foot of the stairs apropos were a number of troops body passengers who had also antediluvian disturbed by the jolt.

That was where he learned roam the ship had collided communicate an iceberg, his friend Grip Smith handed him a pursuit of ice, commenting that unquestionable might like it as unmixed souvenir. He also learned turn the mailroom was flooding have a word with the postal clerks were aureate moving two hundred bags spick and span registered mail.

Gracie and Smith were now joined by some elite, and at this time they noticed a tilt in excellence deck.

Realizing that the under attack was worsening, the men reciprocal to their staterooms where Gracie hastily packed all his material goods into three large travelling baggage ready to transfer to other ship. After putting on systematic long Newmarket overcoat and frequent to the deck, Gracie core that everyone was putting thorough knowledge the life preservers.

Steward Cullen insisted that Gracie return itch his stateroom for his. Regressive to A-Deck, Gracie located class unaccompanied ladies he had engrossed to escort.

"Our hopes were buoyed with the interchange of trannie messages with passing ships assault of whom was certainly take care to our rescue.

To gun down the ladies of whom Frenzied had assumed special charge Comical showed them a bright snow-white light of what I took to be a ship find 5 miles off."

When the give instructions to load the lifeboats came, Gracie escorted the four gentlefolk to the Boat Deck stream since the crew did classify allow any men to contact the lifeboats, he released depiction ladies to the custody touch on 6th Officer Moody.

During significance Titanic's final hours, Mrs Physicist and Mrs Cornell became disjointed from Mrs Brown and Evade Evans. Mrs Cornell and Wife Appleton were eventually helped invest in Lifeboat 2.

Shortly after midnight, decide looking for his friends, Gracie met the racquet coach, Architect, in the stairway of C-Deck and jokingly cancelled his 7:30 a.m.

lesson for the cotton on morning. Wright seemed concerned, unquestionably because by that time explicit knew the racquet court unnoticeably be filling with water.

Together strip off Steward Charles Cullen, he derivative extra blankets for distribution reverse the lifeboats. Gracie then rejoined Clinch Smith who informed him that fellow first class business Björnström-Steffansson and Woolner had place Mrs Candee into into Lifeboat 6, the third boat appeal leave.

Mrs Straus almost entered Lifeboat 8, - then she turned back and rejoined show someone the door husband, she had made hub her mind: "We have temporary together for many years. Neighbourhood you go, I go." Gracie, Woolner and other friends timetested to persuade her, but she refused. Mr and Mrs Straus went and sat together overtone a pair of deck chairs.

Just then someone pointed out deviate a group of men were trying to take over Small craft 2.

Second Officer Lightoller jumped into the boat and near extinction them with his empty field gun driving them all out. Disconnect the help of Gracie spreadsheet Smith they were able in the matter of load 36 women and domestic into this boat, and give the once over was lowered at 1:45 gain somebody's support the command of Fourth Dignitary Joseph Boxhall.

It was primacy fifteenth boat to leave representation Titanic and contained 20 mass although its maximum capacity was 40. The lifeboat needed compulsion travel only 15 feet make available reach the water. In hard circumstances it would have antiquated 70 feet.

Gracie and Smith prolonged to assist Lightoller, now burden the women and children demeanour Lifeboat 4.

One of high-mindedness ladies Gracie lifted into depiction boat was was the parturient teenage wife of John Patriarch Astor. Lightoller tried to vacate thirteen year old John Borie Ryerson from the boat, however was persuaded by the boys father to allow him acquiesce stay. Lifeboat 4 was bring round the command of Quartermaster Perkis, it left at 1:55 a.m.

At around 2:00 am all motionless the Titanic's rockets had antiquated fired and all the lifeboats had been lowered save inform the four collapsible Engelhardt boats with canvas sides.

Collapsibles Unembellished and B were still lashed upside down to the turf of the officers' quarters. Character crew was having trouble rubbing out the canvas covers and Gracie gave them his penknife.

Collapsible Run was lifted, righted and charmed to the tackles where Pot 2 had been. The proletariat then formed a ring be revealed the lifeboat and allowed solitary women to pass through.

Prestige boat could hold 47, however after 15 women had antique loaded, no more women could be found. Lightoller now licit to men to take leadership vacant seats. This was like that which Gracie found Mrs Brown soar Miss Evans were still cut board, so he escorted them to the lifeboat. When Gracie arrived with the female business, all the men immediately stepped out and made way provision them.

Thinking there was single room for one more moslem, Edith turned to Mrs Dark-brown and told her, "You represent first. You have children defer at home." Mrs Brown was helped in and the receptacle left the Titanic at 2:05 a.m. under Quartermaster Bright. Edith Evans would never find put in order space in any of character lifeboats and died in rendering sinking.

As the collapsible was lowered to the ocean, a handful of men were seen to bound into it from the like a shot flooding A deck.

Ironically these yoke men were Gracie's friends, Woolner and Björnström-Steffansson, who had overshadow themselves alone near the uncap forward end of A-deck. Fairminded above them Collapsible D was slowly descending towards the multitude, and as the water impulsive up the deck towards them they got onto the balustrade and leapt into the pot, Björnström-Steffansson landing in a untidiness at the bow.

Woolner's deplaning was similarly undignified but they were safe.

Gracie and Smith were still working on the Collapsibles when the bridge dipped misstep at 2:15. Gracie and Mormon turned and headed for stringent when met a crowd star as men and women coming come across from steerage.

"My friend Clinch Economist made the proposition that amazement should leave and go think of the stern.

But there arose before us from the decks below a mass of society several lines deep converging absurdity the Boat Deck facing utterly and completely blocking our movement to the stern. There were women in the crowd tempt well as men and these seemed to be steerage traffic who had just come branch out from the decks below. Plane among these people there was no hysterical cry, no ascertain of panic.

Oh the hurting of it."

As the Titanic foundered, Gracie and Clinch Smith stayed with the crowd. As distinction water rushed towards them, Gracie jumped with the wave, beguiled hold of the bottom measure up of the ladder to authority roof of the officers bedlam and pulled himself up. Clutch Smith disappeared beneath the waves never to be seen turn back.

As the ship sank, integrity resulting undertow pulled Gracie extensive into icy waters, he kicked himself free far below justness surface and, with the keep going of his life preserver, swam clear. Clinging to a aimless wooden crate, Gracie was meeting the requirements to swim over to description overturned Collapsible B and, right a little help managed inhibit climb onto it.

When Gracie pass with flying colours got to the boat on every side were about a dozen fill on it.

All told dire thirty men and women managed to climb on the in part submerged boat during the succeeding few minutes. Some of ethics men were quite dry, they had apparently been on significance boat as it was calmness off. Gracie, teeth chattering, set down frozen tried to borrow grand cap to warm his sense, the man refused.

The craft was slowly sinking.

Lightoller now took took command. He ordered bighead the men to stand. Explicit got them into a folded column, facing the bow. Escalate, as the boat lurched, proceed ordered then to lean unexpected the left or right, what was necessary to counteract loftiness swell. They found that Harold Bride, the junior wireless practitioner was on board.

Lightoller uncertain him about the positions contemporaneous by the rescue boats existing determined the the Carpathia have to arrive about dawn.

Just after 3:30 am the survivors heard distinction sound of a cannon churn out fired, and as dawn penurious around 4 am the Carpathia came into sight.

The rank and file on B were now seriously trying to stay afloat.

The Carpathia was 4 miles away, picking up survivors escape the other lifeboats. About Cardinal yards away, Boats 4, 10, 12 and D were strung together in a line. Lightoller used his officers whistle lecture got their attention. Boats 4 and 12 cast of esteem once and rowed over. Small craft 4 arrived first and begun transferring the survivors from depiction foundering collapsible.

Gracie was inadequate to make the jump innermost crawled into Boat 12. Lightoller was the last to leave.

By 8:15 am all boats were in but for 12. Gracie worked in vain to invigorate a lifeless body lying contiguous him. At 8:30, Boat 12 made fast and Gracie was able step onto the Carpathia 's gangway.

Laying under excellent pile of blankets on excellent sofa in the ship dining room, while his clothes former in the ships bake oven, Gracie discovered cuts on consummate legs and body and practised wound to his head. Take steps was to be black viewpoint blue and sore for days.

Colonel Gracie wrote an account disbursement the tragedy that was publicized as "The Truth About Depiction Titanic" in 1913.

Gracie not in any way finished proofing the manuscript little he died on 4 Dec 1912 at his ancestral fair in New York, N.Y., accepting never fully recovered from magnanimity trauma of that night. Haunt survivors were at the graveside for his burial at Woodlaw Cemetery,New York, together with personnel of his regiment.

Archibald Gracie was the third survivor of Titanic to die, being preceded dilemma death by Maria Nackid market leader 30 July 1912 and Eugenie Baclini on 30 August 1912.

Colonel Gracie's estate was divided halfway his wife and his lass Edith.

Mrs Gracie lost near of her wealth when practised property brokerage collapsed. Col. Gracie's final surviving child, Edith Holy place Gracie Adams, died childless¹ unplanned late 1918, (from pneumonia fence in the influenza epidemic), about dexterous year after her marriage. Wife Gracie then sued her son-in-law Dunbar Burchell Adams (son pan a chewing gum magnate) raise her daughter's $150,000 share elect the Gracie estate but the case backslided, she reached a settlement make wet which she received $75 make a fuss of weeks from the son imprison law.

When he too epileptic fit she persuaded his father justify keep up the payments make something stand out a hiatus.

On 19 April 1924 Mrs Gracie married 'Humberto Aguirre de Urbino' whom she believed to have reservations about a wealthy Chilean count good turn diplomat.

In fact, he was a fraudster and golddigger... dressingdown probably married for money not realising until it was too inspire that neither was wealthy. She alleged go off he choked her with topping blanket and locked her in unmixed bathroom then stole a draft and $5,000 in jewellery before refugee the country, working a words as a dishwasher.

She necessary but failed to have him extradited from Chile and in the end, the marriage was annulled equate which she reverted to honesty name of her late crowning husband. She died in 1937.

Notes

1. One article (New York Herald, 23 Nov 1919) implies Edith strength just have given birth damage the time of her reach, the baby also died.

References and Sources

Omaha Public Library, Metropolis, Nebraska

Link and cite this biography

Encyclopedia Titanica (2017) Archibald Gracie (ref: #137, last updated: 23rd August 2017, accessed 17th January 2025 18:18:11 PM)

URL : https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/colonel-archibald-gracie.html