Passenger Alfred Nicholson from Shanklin and steward Henry Fairall from Ryde both lost their lives when the Titanic – supposedly the most modern, luxurious and safest ship at that time – hit an iceberg and sank in the early hours of 15th April 1912.
Tea merchant Alfred Ernest Nicholson from Prospect Road, Shanklin was on his way to visit his sister in New York when disaster struck. He had bought a 1st class ticket for £26 (£900 in today’s money).
After the sinking of the Titanic, Mr Nicholson’s body was picked up by the steamer Mackay Bennet. The body of the tea merchant was identified by some expensive jewellery found on his person, including a letter ‘N’ pearl scarf pin, his gold watch and chain, a diamond horseshoe pin, gold cufflinks and 3 gold studs.
His wife did not arrange for his body to be buried on the Island, and his sister took care of his burial in New York.
Titanic Steward Henry Charles Fairall began his working career as a post office messenger, at which time he lived at 12 & 19 Surrey Street in Ryde, and later 11 Albert Street in Ryde. In 1911, Mr Fairall moved to Portsmouth with his wife and 3 daughters, where he began work with the Ocean Star Navigation Company.
By 1912, he had signed up as a steward for 1st class passengers in Belfast and had the misfortune to be on the maiden voyage of the ill-fated Titanic.
Mr Fairall’s body was never recovered from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. However, there is a memorial in his name at Ryde Cemetery.
Interesting article a tragic end to their lives and the ship. Can’t help wondering if the Titanic never sunk then, would it have been lost in WW1 soon after anyway, as clearly a ‘trophy’ target.
We will never know
Would of been used to transport army across the channel and probably equipment for the war as ships like this including it’s sister ship was
Please keep on reporting more history of the Isle of Wight
A wonderful liner that sadly sank costing many lives.
The Titanic lives on forever and we will never forget the many
Lives lost in this tragic incident.
Really nice article. Really interesting tribute to islanders.