Mr Richard Henry Rouse

Mr Richard Henry Rouse, 50, a coal miner, lived at 30 New Road, Sittingbourne, Kent.

He had lost his job due to the coal strike and was travelling to America to join his children. His destination was the home of his daughter Mrs George Maylum who had emigrated previously and lived on Colt Road, Cleveland, Ohio. The lists indicate that he was also en route to a Mrs Clay on the same street.

According to contemporary reports the whole family was to emigrate to Cleveland, Ohio but Richard Rouse decided to sail ahead to set himself up, as he thought that he would find work in Cleveland. His wife, Charity and eight year old daughter Gladys were to wait behind.

He took his wife and daughter to view the Titanic in Southampton. Apparently Mrs Rouse was overcome with fear and told her husband "This ship is too big, It will never reach America". She tried to talk him out of it but he replied "Don't worry, This ship is brand new and anyway, she's unsinkable". But Mrs Rouse continued to worry despite recieving a card from her husband posted at Queenstown.

Rouse boarded the Titanic in Southampton as a third class passenger (ticket number A/5 3594, £8, 1s).

Richard Henry Rouse died in the disaster. His body, if recovered, was never idenified.

Sources
Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 April 1912

Acknowledgements
Ross Carter, UK
Homer Thiel, USA
Brian Ticehurst, UK
Melinda Weaver