Titanic Connections

 

In this article we will be looking at some more of the interesting history surrounding the Titanic, and the connection between it, Pontardawe, tin cans and Swansea University.

First to the R.M.S. Titanic (right). In two previously published articles in bay, “Lloyds Register and Emigration”, in April 2016. This article relates to bay reader Mrs Mosely’s mother’s first husband, Leslie Williams, who was a boxer, and was travelling on board the R.M.S. Titanic with fellow boxer, David Bowen. Both men lost their lives in the sinking. Leslie’s body was later recovered but buried at sea. The second article “Sweet F.A.” from April 2021 relates to the memorial to Robert William Norman Leyson, situated at St. Catwg’s Church, Cadoxton. Both these articles can be found on the bay’s website by putting Titanic into the search bar.

So, time for something new on the Titanic. Sketty Blacksmith George Blundell’s grandson, Walter Henry Nichols (left) was a Titanic survivor. Walter was born in 1876, son of George Joseph Nichols and Ruth Alice Blundell. At the time of the 1881 census, the Nichols family resided at Battersea. George had died, and Ruth’s occupation was laundress. A decade later, the family had moved to Chiddingfold, in Surrey.  Walter was now 14 and had left school, his occupation was Builder’s Clerk, and he was a visitor of the Harpman’s family, of Lambeth on the night of the census.

Twenty years later, Walter married Florence Helen Sheath at Richmond. He and his family have settled in Southampton by the time of the 1911 census, but Walter was not present on the night of the census and is not listed. In April 1912, Walter signed on the R.M.S. Titanic, as Assistant Saloon Steward, 2nd Class (pic below, W. H. Nichols, second from the top on the RMS Titanic, Crew Records 1912). His monthly wage was £3 15s.

After the sinking, Walter was rescued on Lifeboat No 15 along with 37 other people. The lifeboat was launched at 1.40am and was one of the last boats to be launched. Before reaching the sea, Lifeboat No 15 nearly crashed on top of Lifeboat No 13 (right). It was the quick-thinking crew on No 13 who cut the ropes, and avoided any further disaster. Lifeboat No 15 was one of the last boats to be picked up by R.M.S. Carpathia at 7.30am having been afloat for nearly 6 hours.

In 1955, Walter Lord’s “A Night to Remember”, was published. It was a minute by minute account of the last hours of the Titanic. Our Walter had shared correspondence with the author. Walter Henry Nichols died in 1960.

Locally in the Swansea Valleys there are two memorials to victims of the Titanic. In Glais, Calel Sion chapel, there is a headstone with a Welsh inscription, commemorating to William Rogers and his nephew Evan Davies, both of whom were miners. They were travelling as third-class passengers, their destination was unknown. William had been married since 1901, and contemporary reports indicate that William deserted his wife, and a court order had been placed on him days before the Titanic set sail. Both men were lost in the sinking and their bodies not recovered. I would like to thank, Trevor Baxter, who has allowed me to use his photograph (right) in this article, as today sadly the headstone is lying facing down.

The spire of St Peter’s Church (left, top left) dominates the sky of Pontardawe. Here we find the Samuel family grave that commemorates Owen Wilmore Samuel (left, top right), who was a Second-Class Saloon Steward on the Titanic. Owen was born in 1865 in Llandeilo Carmarthenshire and was the son of William and Ann Samuel. The family moved to Cadoxton and at the time of the 1891 census, Owen was employed by B. Evans and Co, Temple Street Swansea as a Clerk. In 1900 Owen left Swansea and the 1901 census shows us that Owen is unmarried and is living in Sheffield. Owen married Elizabeth M

Lamb, in Liverpool in 1902. Following the marriage his brother-in-law John Hardy encourages him to go to sea. By the time of 1911 census, the Samuel family are living in Southampton, and Owen’s occupation is listed as a Seaman in the Merchant Service. The following year, both Owen and John sign on to the Titanic. Following the sinking Owen loses his life and John survives. Owen’s body was recovered and later buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery (above bottom left). Owen is also commemorated on his wife’s grave at Bandon Hill Cemetery, Sutton, following her death in 1945.

St. Peter’s church was built during a two-year period, 1858-60, at the expense of William Parsons, Industrialist. All the materials having been transported along the Swansea Canal.

In 1843, William established and founded the former Pontardawe Tinplate Works, re-naming it Primrose Forge and Tinplate Works. The works, produced sheets of tin, used in the production of tin cans for food.

In 1861, the works were leased to Francis William Gilbertson (near right), of W. Gilbertson and Co. William Parsons died in 1864 and is buried at the church that he established.

The works under Gilbertson’s tenure was awarded a contract to supply roofing sheets for the White House in Washington USA.

    William Gilbertson was one of the leading founders and the first President of Swansea University.  In 1919, Ernest Ambrose Vivian, 2nd Baron Swansea, put the 254-acre Single-ton estate up for sale. The Swansea Corporation paid £90,000 for large area of land for the people of Swansea. Alderman Ivor

Gwynne, Chairman of the Education Commit-tee pleaded land for a university, he was also the Secretary of the Tin and Sheet Millman’s Association. In September 1919, the Council supported the university site to be at Singleton. During the Foundation Ceremony in July 1920 (above, right), Gilbertson received the Royal Charter from King George V. Francis died in 1929.

So, there you have the connection between the Titanic, tin cans, Pontardawe and Swansea University.

Copywrite - The Bay Magazine, October 2023