Answers To Questions Raised About A Woman’s Actions When The Titanic Went Down
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the captivating story of Lady Lucile Duff Gordon. Discover how this remarkable woman not only survived the infamous Titanic sinking but also faced scrutiny for her actions that fateful night.
Join us on a journey of courage, resilience, and controversy.
Fashion Designer To The Elite
Lady Lucile Duff Gordon, a prominent British fashion designer, and her husband, Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon, an affluent Scottish nobleman, lived a life of luxury and opulence.
Known for her exquisite creations, Lady Lucile was a respected couturier, catering to high society's elite.
Lucy And Cosmo Were A Power Couple
Meanwhile, Sir Cosmo, a successful businessman, and landowner, enjoyed the privileges that came with his aristocratic status.
Together, this power couple embodied the epitome of elegance and wealth in early 20th-century Britain.
April 15, 1912
Amidst the chaos and tragedy of the Titanic's sinking, Lady Lucile Duff Gordon and other wealthy passengers were scrutinized heavily for their privileged treatment during the evacuation.
Their actions sparked controversy, raising questions about class privilege and morality in the face of impending disaster.
Lucy Christina Sutherland
Lady Lucile Duff Gordon, born Lucy Christiana Sutherland on June 13, 1863, led a privileged life in London. In 1869, her family moved to Canada due to financial difficulties.
This marked the beginning of her journey that would ultimately lead her to marry Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon.
Lucy's Trip Back To Europe Was Foreshadowing
After her mother's remarriage, Lucy and her sister, Elinor Glyn, returned to Europe. In 1875, their ship, the SS Schiller, ran aground in the English Channel, resulting in a tragic accident.
Little did they know that this foreshadowed a future maritime disaster, the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
James Stuart Wallace Was Lucy's First Husband
Lucy Christina Sutherland married James Stuart Wallace, but their union eventually ended. However, from that marriage, they had a daughter named Esme.
Lucy passionately pursued her career while ensuring she provided for Esme, prioritizing her daughter's well-being and following her own dreams.
Welcome To Maison Lucile
Lucy Christina Sutherland became a dressmaker, opening her first store, "Maison Lucile," in 1893.
She catered to the upper class, capturing their attention and catching the eye of a prominent bachelor, setting the stage for her remarkable journey.
Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon
Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon, a distinguished figure, crossed paths with Lucy Christina Sutherland.
Known for his wealth and social standing, their encounter sparked a fateful connection, leading to a partnership that would shape their destinies in the fashion world.
Lucile Started From The Bottom
The marriage of Lucy Christina Sutherland to Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon in 1900 was an extraordinary union, blending the aristocratic lineage of the 5th Baronet of Halkin and Sutherland with Lucy's enterprising spirit.
Following their marriage, her business garnered international recognition and acclaim.
Boutiques Were Opened In New York And Paris
Lady Lucile Duff-Gordon launched her fashion stores in New York and Paris in the early 20th century.
The New York store opened in 1910, while the Paris boutique followed in 1911. While Lucile relished the vibrant city life, her husband Cosmo was less enamored by it.
New York Needed Help
Lady Lucile Duff-Gordon was traveling to New York on the Titanic as she had been contacted that her store needed her attention there.
Facing a challenging situation, she agreed to travel there and help out her business.
Titanic's Maiden Voyage Did Not Thrill Lucy
Duff-Gordon experienced anxiety as she prepared to board the Titanic for its maiden voyage.
Although the ship was her only option for her transatlantic journey, she experienced second thoughts that foreshadowed the tragedy that would soon ensue.
The "Unsinkable" Titanic Was A Spectacle
Titanic was 882 ft long; it had a dancing hall, two heated swimming pools (1st on a ship), a Turkish bath, a gym, 800 staterooms, and a grand stairway.
It was considered unsinkable due to its watertight compartment construction.
Fear, Reservations, Uncertainty, Were Haunting Lucy
Despite knowing that many of her peers and friends would be aboard the Titanic on its first voyage, Lucy had reservations about the trip.
Her husband tried to reassure her, but she was still hesitant to board the ship.
Cosmo Joined Lucy To Comfort Her
Sir Cosmo volunteered to accompany his anxious wife, Lucy, on the Titanic's fateful voyage.
To avoid press attention, they booked under false names. With his presence, Lucy felt reassured all during the trip.
Their Alias Was A Jab At Titanic's Rival
Rumors among the upper class on the Titanic passenger list were that the Duff-Gordons' choice of alias Morgan was a shot at J.P. Morgan, owner of the rival ship the White Star.
Lucy brought her secretary, who also had an alias under the name Franks, a play-off of her name Laura Francatelli.
The Gig Was Up
Although their plan to remain anonymous and travel incognito failed, Lucy and her husband, the Duff-Gordons, ironically embraced their newfound fame aboard the Titanic and grew to enjoy the voyage.
Although their rouse was foiled, the couple began to settle in, appreciate and revel in the experience.
Lucy Was Enjoying The Titanic's Beauty
Overjoyed, Lucy and her family feasted on the spoils of the elite: luxurious food served at breakfast and beautiful furnishings in their cabin. She wrote in her autobiography, "I had never dreamed of sailing in such luxury...my pretty little cabin, with its electric heater and pink curtains, delighted me. Everything about this lovely ship reassured me."
She was especially delighted to find strawberries on the menu.
Separate Cabins
Rumors began to circulate within their inner circle that Lucille and Sir Cosmo were estranged when they were seen taking separate cabins on the ship.
Everyone was shocked and curious about the root of their suddenly distant relationship. That detail has yet to be verified more than 100 years after the unsinkable ship went down.
Full Speed Ahead
The Titanic made good progress for four days, and reports stated it was clear of any danger.
However, while sailing, their pace was thought to be record-setting, temperatures were steadily dropping, and this oversight may have been their fatal flaw.
Lucile's Fears May Have Been Clairvoyant
Lady Lucile Duff-Gordon expressed her concerns to her husband about the increasing cold and the potential for icebergs. Her husband dismissed her fears, so she retired to her cabin with her secretary. She said to him, "I have never felt so cold...There must be icebergs about."
Staying warm was more important than style and fashion to her. Perhaps this is why she did not change for dinner, according to her autobiography.
A "Rumbling Noise" Woke Lucy Up
Lucile, Cosmo, and her secretary were fast asleep in their rooms, but a loud noise suddenly woke them up. She wrote, "I had been in bed for an hour...when I was awakened by a funny rumbling noise."
It was followed by a huge shudder throughout the Titanic, signaling something was wrong. They all rushed out to investigate.
Lucy's Worry About The Noise Was Shared
The passengers all made their way to the deck and nervously gathered around. Anxiety could be cut thick in the air as they exchanged worried glances and murmured with concern to each other over the strange noise.
Lucy tried to remain calm but could not help but feel the same dread and fear as everyone else on board.
Assurances From Titanic Officers Did Not Ease Tensions
Officers onboard the Titanic attempted to reassure passengers that the noise they heard was nothing to be worried about.
As Lucy and everyone else listened, they returned to their rooms for the night, content in knowing they were safe.
Engines Stopping Was The First Alert Of Danger
Lucy's fear grew as the engines stopped, with her repeatedly urging her husband Cosmo to investigate.
When he returned, he appeared utterly shaken, like he had seen a ghost. She now had physical confirmation from his face that there was something wrong.
Survival Instincts Were To Flee
The Duff-Gordons and several other passengers aboard the Titanic displayed a proactive attitude in the face of uncertainty.
Realizing the urgency, they didn't wait for official instructions, opting to dress warmly and evacuate their cabins promptly, ensuring their safety.
An Iceberg Sealed Titanic's Fate
While debates persist among experts and historians regarding specific details, it is widely accepted that the Titanic collided with an iceberg, evident from the significant rupture in its hull.
Initially, the ship's handling of the flooding was commendable, but the water eventually permeated most levels of the vessel.
700 Titanic Passengers Survived
During the trial, Lucy testified that she, her husband, her secretary, three male passengers, and a crew boarded the last suspended lifeboats. Only 700 of the 2,240 passengers survived.
Their boat was rescued by the Carpathia, which brought them safely back to their loved ones, while others anxiously awaited news about their families.
Rumors Of Bribery Started Surfacing
In the subsequent trials, it was disclosed that nearly 60 upper-class men were among the saved, sparking outrage. The ship captains' reputations suffered, despite their heroically going down with the ship.
Rumors circulated that the Duff-Gordons bribed the crew to abandon the remaining survivors, an allegation they vehemently denied.
The Duff-Gordons' Reputation Went Down With The Titanic
The Duff-Gordons were relentlessly pursued by the media amidst a scandal involving alleged bribes. They argued that the money was meant to secure the financial future of the unemployed Titanic crew.
However, their reputations were permanently tarnished, leading to the eventual dissolution of their marriage after years of growing apart.
