1st Class Woman in NY

[Jenna Watts]

Where would a 1st class woman who didn't know anyone in NY go when she got off the Carpathia?

 

[Jim Kalafus]

Okay. From tracing the hotels that over 300 Lusitania passengers stayed in, in May 1915, before departing on the fatal voyage:

VERY RICH:
Waldorf-Astoria (Highest number)
Ritz-Carlton

WELL TO DO
Belmont (Highest number)
Hotel Astor
Hotel Biltmore
Hotel Gotham
Hotel Marie Antoinette

DISCRETELY WEALTHY
St. Regis

SHOW BIZ
Waldorf-Astoria
Knickerbocker Hotel
Marie Antoinette Hotel
Hotel Astor

 

[Jenna Watts]

What about if she had no money on her person at the time of landing there and had to wait for relatives in France to wire her some money? Would it have been possible for someone to take her in for the time being or would she have settled for a cheap hotel?

 

[Tim Brandsoy]

It seems improbable. 1st class passengers, even if they lost their immediate cash, had connections that could be tapped readily. A letter of credit or a wire transfer would have taken care of the immediate financial problem.


Mr Walter James Hawksford was rescued in lifeboat 3. He arrived in New York broke, but his firm sent him money and he was able to stay in the Hotel Astor.
https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/walter-james-hawksford.html



In most cases their family and friends were waiting for them: Mrs Charlotte Appleton
https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/charlotte-appleton.html

Miss Helen Ragnhild Ostby had some difficulty getting a telegram sent from the Carpathia:
https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/helen-ragnhild-ostby.html

Once they got to NY, help and money was available:
https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/the-tale-titanic-2nd-page-article.html