Boat 9

[João Carlos Pereira Martins]

I would like to know if there was some confusion in the launching of this lifeboat, I heard that a few third class passengers jumped from the A-Deck promenade and fell in the ladies. And anybody can tell me how was the boarding of Mme. Aubert? Did she refuse to leave Mr. Guggenheim?

 

[João Carlos Pereira Martins]

Does anyone know the answer please?

 

[Bob Godfrey]

Once again, Joao, you can get first-hand information from the people who were there. Read the testimonies at the Titanic Inquiry Project.

 

[João Carlos Pereira Martins]

Thanks and sorry, Bob. I'll do that.

Best regards, João

 

[João Carlos Pereira Martins]

In his testimony, Albert Haines reported seeing a crying woman that refused to get on the lifeboat but he didn't see her face and didn't know her age. Could this lady have been Mme. Aubert? I didn't find anything that says Mr. Guggenheim leaded her but someone could have a slight idea. Personally, I suppose Guggenheim wouldn't want to be seen with his lover and making everyone to understand the real situation between them.

Best Regards, João

 

[Michael H. Standart]

João, you can access the Titanic Inquiry Project at http://www.titanicinquiry.org/

Some of the reading can be quite tedious, but it's an essential primary source. You may want to bookmark it.

 

[Brian Ahern]

João - The woman who hesitated to get into the boat has been described as "the fat lady" and it has always been reported that she was afraid to enter because of fear, not because she wanted to stay with anyone on the ship.

I have never come across any references to Mme Aubart's actions during the voyage or sinking, and haven't seen any indication that she was reluctant to leave Ben Guggenheim.

Several sources have discussed someone variously described as "a French woman" and "a pretty French girl" who fell and hurt herself slightly while trying to board the boat. I had thought this person had been identified and that it wasn't Mme Aubart or her maid, but looking at the list of those in the boat again, I see they were the only two French women on board.

 

[Randy Bryan Bigham]

I think the "pretty French girl" who fell as she boarded boat 9 was most likely Ninette Aubart — her claim against White Star cited personal injury caused while abandoning ship.

 

[João Carlos Pereira Martins]

I just don't remember where I read that Mme Aubart (sorry for the mistake) was told by Guggenheim to get alone on a lifeboat and I think she accepted it, entering boat 9 with her maid.In your opinion, is it plausible that Mr. Guggenheim lead her to the lifeboat?

Thanks, João

 

[Brian Ahern]

Thanks, Randy.
João - If you can think of the source, I'd be interested to check it out, since the actions of Mme A and Mr. G during the voyage and sinking are pretty shadowy (except for Ben's changing into evening clothes, of course).

I suppose I've wondered also about whether Ben stood by his sweetheart during the sinking. My opinion? It would probably depend on how serious they considered the danger. Their concern for propriety might have decreased as their sense of danger increased. But then, married men like Colonel Gracie didn't think twice about escorting women they weren't married to up to the boats. So I guess my answer is: I don't know.

That's not to say you haven't raised an interesting question.