The Spencers were always officially in B-76, the accommodation plan saved by the Spencer’s maid even has B-76 crossed on it. I have a theory that the couple in B-78 were Lucien and Mary Eloise Smith as their placement in C-31 isn’t grounded in reality not to mention that the description Mrs. Smith gave on the Carpathia doesn’t match C-31 but does match B-78.Canin C-78 was occupied by the Minahans and Steward Etches had nothing to do with it or any other cabin on C-deck. In his testimony statement about the couple who refused to open the door of their cabin in response to his knocking, Etches simply said "Cabin 78". In fact, he meant Cabin B-78 which was within his area of service.
Officially Cabin B-78 was occupied by the Spencer couple, but according to the Cave List they were in B-76. No one else's name was associated with B-78 and so officially it was unoccupied. There is the possibility that the couple in B-78 were there for a noctural rendezvous, which would explain why they did not open the door to Etches. But that did not mean that either of them died in the disaster; Etches left the Titanic on board Lifeboat #5, which was launched at 12:48am or so. Therefore, there was plenty of time for the couple in B-78 to come out after Etches had left and mingle with the crowd milling around. One or both of them could then have managed to get into a lifebpat.
Could be, but I have two issues with it. IF Etches was broadly telling the truth about the encounter and exchange across the closed door with the couple, why would Lucien and Eloise, a married couple, not open the door to ask what it was all about? Also, from everything that I have read about her, Eloise Smith came across as a rather nervous, high-strung young woman unlikley to have responded to the steward's knocking with a forthright response like "tell me what's happened" or similar. Again assuming that Etches was correct with his wording, IMO in 1912 a married woman with her husband in their bedroom might demand "tell us what happened" but the "me" suggests to me (pun intended) that she was an individualistic and experienced single traveller. That's why I thought about that other free-spirited young lady I mentioned to you in the other threads, along with her single male friend known to have been a 'ladies man'.I have a theory that the couple in B-78 were Lucien and Mary Eloise Smith as their placement in C-31 isn’t grounded in reality not to mention that the description Mrs. Smith gave on the Carpathia doesn’t match C-31 but does match B-78.
True, some people may have gone into denial though.You know, I understand not believing Titanic would sink, at first. Even Lightoller is on record as having not believed Titanic would sink until rather late in the evacuation process; however, at some point Titanic's list was such that I have a hard time imagining that there was anyone who did not eventually become concerned. Under normal circumstances, I would expect them to eventually figure out that there was a serious issue and leave their cabins.
I have less of a hard time believing that some cadre of men and women realized they were likely to not be saved, and the returned to their cabins (or at least to the warm spaces inside the ship) to await their fate.
Mrs. Smith described in her statement to the American Senate inquiry that she took plenty of time in dressing herself. The reason why she didn’t opened the door if it truly was her was maybe because she was not ‘decent’ because she was still dressing herself.IF Etches was broadly telling the truth about the encounter and exchange across the closed door with the couple, why would Lucien and Eloise, a married couple, not open the door to ask what it was all about?
She felt rather frightened by what her husband told her. Interestingly she also stated in her statement the following:Also, from everything that I have read about her, Eloise Smith came across as a rather nervous, high-strung young woman unlikley to have responded to the steward's knocking with a forthright response like "tell me what's happened" or similar. Again assuming that Etches was correct with his wording, IMO in 1912 a married woman with her husband in their bedroom might demand "tell us what happened" but the "me" suggests to me (pun intended) that she was an individualistic and experienced single traveller.
It’s possible Mrs. Smith wanted to know more as to why the ship had stopped and hence why she used ‘me’ instead of ‘us’I started out, putting on my life preserver, when we met a steward, who was on his way to tell us to put on life preservers and come on deck.
There is evidence against that claim sadly, as much as I find it an intriguing theory. Etches knew that a couple occupied B-78, who were undoubtedly Americans, a stiff-built gentleman and a short, thin lady with a shortish name Etches fancied that began with a S.that she was an individualistic and experienced single traveller. That's why I thought about that other free-spirited young lady I mentioned to you in the other threads, along with her single male friend known to have been a 'ladies man'.
As I said, it is possible that they were Mr & Mrs Smith but I am not convinced. If Eloise Smith did not know what had happened, why would she have been dressing herself in the middle of th night? If it had been them, at the very least Lucian Smith would have opened the door a notch, peered out and asked Etches what the excitement was about.Mrs. Smith described in her statement to the American Senate inquiry that she took plenty of time in dressing herself. The reason why she didn’t opened the door if it truly was her was maybe because she was not ‘decent’ because she was still dressing herself.
Her husband told her:If Eloise Smith did not know what had happened, why would she have been dressing herself in the middle of th night?
He then assured her there was no danger and then they started to take their time with dressing."We are in the north and have struck an iceberg: It does not amount to anything, but probably delay us a day getting into New York. However, as a matter of form, the captain has ordered all ladies on deck."
Keep in mind this was the Edwardian era, perhaps Lucian was putting warm clothing on themselves and wanted privacy too.If it had been them, at the very least Lucian Smith would have opened the door a notch, peered out and asked Etches what the excitement was about.
He wasn't certain of the last name, he said:Neither Eloise or Edith begins with an 'S'; as for the surname, think about it. Who would forget what is probably the commonest of Anglo-Saxon surnames - Smith? So, Etches could not have been referring to the surname of the couple inside the locked room; if he was, he would have simply said "Smith" (if your theory was correct) and not simply something that began with an 'S'.
He also said:"It was a shortish name, and I fancy it began with S."
With having to look after the Carter family, their valet Mr. Cairns, Mr. Ismay's secretary William H Harrison, Mr. Guggenheim, his secretary Mr. Giglio and Thomas Andrews Jr (possibly he looked after the Odell/May party as well, as I believe they were possibly in B-88, B-90 and B-92) he had his hands quite full, as well as keeping the staterooms clean and to assure everything was arranged. With that in mind, with everything on his mind after the sinking and his duties on-board, can you blame him for forgetting it?"I do not know anyone outside of the people in my section."
It may just have been a case of, "we are sleeping and/or in a state of undress, so why are you bothering me?" I can tell you that under the best of circumstances I hardly ever open my door when people knock.Could be, but I have two issues with it. IF Etches was broadly telling the truth about the encounter and exchange across the closed door with the couple, why would Lucien and Eloise, a married couple, not open the door to ask what it was all about? Also, from everything that I have read about her, Eloise Smith came across as a rather nervous, high-strung young woman unlikley to have responded to the steward's knocking with a forthright response like "tell me what's happened" or similar. Again assuming that Etches was correct with his wording, IMO in 1912 a married woman with her husband in their bedroom might demand "tell us what happened" but the "me" suggests to me (pun intended) that she was an individualistic and experienced single traveller. That's why I thought about that other free-spirited young lady I mentioned to you in the other threads, along with her single male friend known to have been a 'ladies man'.
Just speculating.