Survivor of the Titanic

for grades 4-6

by Amy Egolf

When you are busy, time goes by so fast. The first year of Olympic's life was gone before I was aware it was over, and now I was preparing to move again to yet another ship- the Titanic. Everything that struck me about this second ship was wonderful. In many ways, she, the Titanic reminded me of Olympic, but oh how much grander and improved she was in every way. It was quite unusual for members like myself- a steward- to be consulted about changes that would benefit our comforts, so when the designer Thomas Andrews paid my fellow workers and myself thoughtful compliments, I realized it was a great privilege to be aboard this ship.

On a soft April day, the Titanic gently disengaged herself from the side of the dock and we were off. Although I could hear the goodbyes, the fluttering flags and handkerchiefs, I did not have the time or an opportunity to witness the departure. Oh, how I wish I could see the ship I sailed on from some other vantage point at sea, but I realized that work awaited me and the beautiful picture I imagined seeing was only a wish. Life aboard started off smoothly. The sea was calm and the sky was blue as far as the eye could see. Restfulness and contentment spread over the Titanic as she cut her way proudly across the Atlantic.

After a long day, it was good to be in my cozy bunk. I was about to read some English magazines and here good old Tatler and Sketch with all the latest gossip and see the newest clothes when I remembered that I had an extraordinary prayer translated from the original Hebrew. Some strict old Irishwoman gave me these instructions and told me to study its strange wording and say it daily for protection against fire and water. Every day I had meant to look it over, but something else always took its place. My conscience was getting to me. The trip was half over and my promise to read this prayer was unfilled, so I made up my mind I had to read it. I pushed my magazines aside to help me concentrate on my devotions. At the end, I lay lazily reflecting on many things, comfortably falling asleep.

Crash!!! A low, crunching, rippling sound was heard as the Titanic shivered and the sound of her engines gently ceased. I lay still. I would not even express to myself what was in my mind. Suddenly there was movement. Men were returning to duty and I must too. I had lots of women in my section. As I helped the passengers, my teeth chattered and my fingers were all thumbs. Then good old Stanley, one of my bedroom stewards, came and helped me. He said, “Anything you’d like me to do for you on my way? You know the ship is sinking?” My mind could not accept the fact this super and perfect creation was about to sink. Automatically, I began to help others put on life jackets. The people had so many questions and I tried to reassure them, but the questions seemed to have no answers.

After I had helped everyone I could, I went back into my room and began to get some warm clothes and my valuables. It amazed me how many people were joking and quite unhurried. As I went upstairs there was no sound. The Titanic was as steady as a rock. Nobody was anxious to move. Some people pointed to a light on the horizon and were reassured that another ship was coming. All I could see were the flares which were sending signals of despair. They were content to bide their time, except for one man. I was standing near a crowd of people and they suddenly parted. A man dashed to the ship’s side, and before anyone could stop him, he jumped into the descending boat. Since they were letting the women and children go into the boats, the people around me were amazed that this man would do such a thing and they didn’t approve of it at all. Instead of listening to their comments, I tried to listen to the music that Jock’s men were playing. As I listened, I saw on child, a baby boy, with a small woolen cap in boat number seven. I heard a voice call out: “Are there any more women before this boat goes?” I did not answer. Then another man called out, and at that moment I came from listening to the music and approached the young man. He did not recognize me but said, “Come along; jump in.” I said, “I am only a stewardess.” He said, “Never mind- you are a woman; take your place.”

“Surely it was a dream- a bad dream,” I thought as I looked up the side of the ship, each deck beautifully illuminated with lights. I tried to make myself believe it could not be true, but it was, it really was. My eyes never left the ship. I thought by looking I could keep her afloat. I remembered how four days ago I had wished to see the ship from afar and be able to admire her; now here she was, the Titanic, queen of the ocean sinking slowly. Desperately, I turned to where the other ship’s lights had shone on the horizon; surely they should be getting nearer by now. It was such a long time since we had first seen their comforting glow. The other ship should have been very near, but it did not seem near, in fact, it seemed further away. As I turned my eyes back to the Titanic, there was an awful moment of emptiness. Then as the Titanic went down by the head with a thundering roar, we heard the agonizing cries from 1500 people- a sound that would be unforgettable. As I sat in the lifeboat, I had learned one thing from the unforgettable experience of the Titanic. I learned to look very deeply into people and value them for what I found.

Questions

What was the first ship Violet Jessop worked on?
What was Violet’s occupation on the ship?
Instead of reading the English magazine, what did Violet do?
What kind of questions do you think the people might have had when Violet was helping them with their life boats?
What do you think happened to the other boat that the people thought would come and rescue them?
What did Violet Jessop learn from here experience on the Titanic?

Answers

Olympic
Steward
Read the prayer
Answers will vary
Answers will vary
To look deeply into people and value them for what she found.

Props:

Pictures of the Titanic
Survivor books of the Titanic
Ask the students how they would feel if they were in Violet Jessop’s place? Ask them how they would feel if they were on the Titanic?

Outline

I. Olympic to Titanic

A. Steward

B. Compliments

C. Another point of view

II. Night of crash

A. English magazines

B. Irishwoman

C. Prayer

III. Reaction to the crash

A. Lay still

B. Return to duty

C. The ship is sinking

D. Another ship coming to the rescue

IV. Into the lifeboat

A. Bad dream

B. Thoughts of the other ship’s lights

C. Sound the people crying

D. Value people for what she found

Resources

Maxtone, John. Titanic Survivor Violet Jessop. Sheridan House: Dobbs Ferry, NY>1997. (Story)
Me. (Everything, but the story, came from me= questions/answers, prop ideas, and outline.)