Not even a month after the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic various sources of help were distributed to the survivors, widows and orphans that Titanic left behind. The Titanic Relief Fund was commissioned the Lord Mayor of London in the spring of 1912. The charity aimed to support the families of victims in cities were the sinking had hit the worst, this included areas such as Liverpool and Southampton. Southampton’s number of lost was to be unrivaled by any other city or town that had a link to the infamous liner. 725 of Southampton’s natives boarded the Titanic. But only 289 of those came back. For the families of the deceased many received benefits from the Council to help them recover after the loss of their husbands, sons and brothers who the Titanic took to the bottom of the Atlantic.
“They’re wasn’t a single street that didn’t loose someone.”
A decent quarter of the Titanic’s crew had inhabited Southampton. Southampton was notoriously known as a well-established thriving port, due to its involvement in exportation and importation during the industrial period, alongside the frequent passing of passenger liners. Many found work on the docks such as Southampton resident William Mintram, had worked on the docks for an estimated average wage of £60 per year. As previously highlighted, many of Titanic’s crew came from Southampton. Unfortunately, the loss of life in Southampton after the Titanic left those women and families unable to support themselves financially. Various efforts were made across Hampshire to support those affected by the tragedy. For example, local scout groups released the charity single Be British, the record raised nearly £40,000 with profits going to the widows of the Titanic.In June, 1912 Bournemouth Beach was also temporarily home to a sand model,that again had attempted to raise money for the families of the Titanic. Numerous concerts, memorial services and football matches were held across the globe to support the families that Titanic left behind.
Most notably were the efforts commissioned by the Lord Mayor of London that were soon adopted by Southampton City Council, the aim of the Titanic relief fund was to provide a monthly allowance for the families, orphans and survivors. For those of Southampton population that were lucky enough to return many lodged in the Sailor’s Union home located on Oxford Street. According to the academic journal The Administration of Titanic Relief in Southampton, 1912–59 “The local committee in Southampton doled out shillings and pence in a manner that disempowered many dependants, kept them under surveillance and entrenched their impoverished circumstances.” Rates varied depending on what position the deceased spouse had done the “Titanic” Relief Find Scheme, Mansion House Committee stated that the benefit received by a widow of the crew and officer received £2 7s and 6 d whereas a widow of a greaser or coal trimmer received 12 s and 6 d.
Many found different uses for their benefits received by the fund. For example the widow of saloon steward Fredrick Wormland was used for a voyage on Titanic’s sister the RMS Olympic to identify the body of her husband and attend the burial that was given at the Fairview lawn Cemetery, Halifax.
The Lady With the Bicycle:
One miss Ethel Maude Newman had been a member of the Southampton branch of the relief efforts. She could often be seen riding through the Southampton Common with her dalmatian in tow. Her official title was a ‘lady visitor’ Newman’s role would have included care visits to widows, to deliver their benefits and ensure that that the family were coping. Titanic orphan John May recalled that he ‘always saw her, she was always around’ her manner described as being very pleasant to children and women that she met. However, Newman’s approach to any of the families she supported re-bounding and perhaps moving on came under serious criticism by those around her. Newman carried the policy that if a widow should re-marry or fall pregnant with another man's child, she would cut off the benefits that the family received. As a result of this Newman’s bicycle was stolen in protest and found dumped a few days later at the terminal from which Titanic had sailed from.
The Titanic Relief fund was closed in 1959 as many of the children that the foundation had helped were now grown up and were able to support themselves. Similarly, with the widows that were left by the sinking of the Titanic had re-married or no longer needed the support of the Titanic relief fund.
As always, I’ll leave a few external links about the Titanic relief fund and the story of Maud Newman. Feel free to ask any questions.
Have a titanic week, Millie
Women and Children First? The Administration of Titanic Relief in Southampton, 1912–59: https://academic.oup.com/ehr/article/CXXVII/524/83/422539
The forgotten victims: How the Titanic tragedy handed a devastating legacy to the people of Southampton: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-forgotten-victims-how-the-titanic-tragedy-handed-a-devastating-legacy-to-the-people-of-7466557.html
RMS Titanic – Southampton Remembers: https://comestepbackintime.wordpress.com/tag/miss-ethel-maude-newman-southampton-and-titanic-relief-fund/
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