All,
Taking a little break from Edith Russell, I have just read over (thanks to Daniel) Ninette Aubart's White Star Line claim. It isn't nearly so detailed as Edith Rosenbaum's inventory and nowhere near as long as Charlotte Cardeza's famous list, but it's very interesting, just the same.
I thought I'd share this list for those here who, like me, are curious about this mysterious lady.
Mme. (or more likely Mdlle.) Aubart drafted a letter describing her lost possessions and posted it to White Star even before returning to France. Once home she started legal proceedings, eventually joining many other
Titanic survivors (
Rene Harris, Margaret Brown, etc) in the class-action Limited Liability suit in NY District Court.
Her claim (for $12,200 in lost valuables and $25,000 for personal-injury damages) was sworn to before the US Consulate General in Paris, Hanson C. Coxe, and was stamped, signed, and sealed by him on 20 February 1913. One year to the date of Ninette's boarding Titanic at Cherbourg, 10 April 1913, her claim was authorized and submitted to the court by attorney A. Gordon Murray, acting as her proctor.
Her claim, totaling $37,220 (or FR 61,100), charged, among other things, that the wreck of the Titanic occured "by reason of negligence," moreover that the lifeboat in which she escaped "was not properly officered, manned, or equipped."
Ninette Aubart contended that she "was exposed to the elements improperly and scantily clad and was thereby caused serious and permanent personal injuries...was made sick, sore, lame, and disabled by reason of such exposure." She further asserted that she "suffered and still suffers great mental pain and anguish and distress" and "was impaired in her senses and faculties." Lastly, she attested that "her health and constitution are shattered" and that "her nervous system is permanently affected..."
Below is a full transcript of Leontine ("Ninette") Aubart's inventory of possessions she lost aboard Titanic:
_________________________________________________
New York, May 1st, 1912.
Dear sir,
Before returning tomorrow to Paris, I beg to send you a list of the effects and jewels that I have lost on the Titanic.
TRUNKS:
1 trunk "Innovation" for hats.
1 " " for dresses.
1 " " for lingerie (underwear).
1 " "Vuitton"
1 toilette-bag with silver fittings.
FR 3,500.
24 dresses and wraps - FR 25,000
7 hats and 2 with aigrettes - FR 2,400
SHOES:
6 pairs black.
6 " evening.
6 " satin with jewelled buckles.
6 " (without description).
FR 1,800.
LINGERIE (Underwear):
24 chemises (real lace).
6 chemisettes (undervests).
12 sets of knickers.
24 night costumes of silk lace,corsets, corset-covers, handkerchiefs, and neck-wear.
FR 6,000.
Gloves and theatre glasses - FR 400.
JEWELRY:
1 gold bag with sapphires - FR 4,000.
1 purse, gold with emeralds - FR 2,000.
1 money bag and powder purse, gold with sapphires - FR 4,000.
1 bracelet - FR 3,000.
1 tiara of brilliants - FR 9,000.
TOTAL - FR 61,100.
For the greater part of these articles I think I am able to produce the invoices. I will inform you on my arrival in Paris where I shall put the matter in the hands of my lawyer.
LEONTINE AUBART.
17, Rue Le Seur, Paris, France.
Passenger on Titanic, Deck B-35.
_________________________________________________
It's strange to me that she lists so few jewelry items. One wonders if she escaped with some in a bag or purse or else that she felt guilty asking reimbursement for more pieces, as many of these would surely have been purchased for her by Benjamin Guggenheim.
Randy