Mr Arthur H. Gee

Courtesy Martin Gee, UK

Mr Arthur H. Gee, 47, was born 21 March 1865 (1) n the Height, Manchester, the son of Mr Giles Gee. At the age of 3 he and his parents went to live in Schlusselburg near St Petersberg, Russia. Arthur returned to England at the age of 14 to study at Manchester Grammer School. From Manchester, Arthur went on to the Alsace, Germany where he studied the chemistry of calico printing and learnt to speak German and French.

When his education was complete he returned to Schlusselburg and joined the Schlusselburg Calico Printing Works Company which was owned by Anglo Russian Cotton Factories Co. Ltd. Arthur's father had long worked for the same firm. Arthur eventually rose to be manager and did not return to England until late 1911 or early 1912. He settled, with his wife Edith, and four children (one daughter, three sons), at Morningside, Riley Avenue, St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire. During his time at St Annes Arthur enjoyed playing golf on the Old Links.

Arthur Gee's employment with Messrs. Whitehead, Summer, Harker, and Company, machinery exporters, of Deansgate, Manchester, led him to be appointed manager of a print works (?linen mill) at Atlixco near Mexico City. One article suggested he may have planned to retire after his return from Mexico.

Gee bought his ticket fromWhitehall, Summen, Hanber & Co. and boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first class passenger (ticket number 111320, £38 10s), he occupied cabin E-63. He had intended to sail from Liverpool, but when it was suggested that he might transfer to the Titanic, he changed his mind.

Courtesy Martin Gee, UK

In a letter posted at Queenstown he wrote:

During the voyage Arthur kept a diary about the voyage, in the form of a letter. The letter continues for 8 pages right up to when the ship sinks, Arthur records the daily mileage of the ship, details about the food and people he meets. He records how, on April 13 he was moved to another cabin by a steward because he wanted a porthole. The cabin was arranged for 4 people, with two wardrobes, large sofa, chest of drawers, 3 electric lights, electric fan and heater. The porthole was 15 ft from the water line.

Courtesy Martin Gee, UK

On board the Titanic Arthur got to know his fellow passengers Charles C. Jones and Algernon Barkworth. He sat with them in the smoking room on the night of the sinking. They were deep in conversation about roadbuilding. Jones and Gee eventually retired but Barkworth decided to stay up for a while.

Although he was reported to be a strong swimmer Arthur Gee died in the sinking, a letter, survives from Algernon Barkworth, a survivor on Collapsible B, which records his last moments.

Arthur's body was later recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#275).

The body was sent to New York on 9 May 1912, and were transported to Liverpool aboard the Baltic. Arthur Gee was buried at The Church Cemetery, Irlam O'The Heights, Manchester next to his father's grave. The gravestone which stood for some time was later removed and the area grassed over.