Encyclopedia Titanica

MRS. COMPTON TELLS OF TITANIC DISASTER

Completely prostrated over the loss of son.

Newark Evening News

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NEW YORK, April 19---Mrs. Alexander T. Compton and her daughter, Miss Alice Compton, of Lakewood, N. J., and New Orleans, two of the Titanic’s rescued, reached here completely prostrated over the loss of Mrs. Compton’s son Alexander, who went down with the big liner. Mr. Compton was a large stockholder in the Laurel House, Lakewood, and was also financially interested in the Waumbek, Jefferson, N. H. The family spent considerable time in Lakewood.

“When we waved good-by to my son,” said Mrs. Compton, “we did not realize the great danger, but thought we were only being sent out in the boats as a precautionary measure. When Captain Smith handed us life preservers, he said cheerily: ‘They will keep you warm if you do not have to use them.’ Then the crew began clearing the boats and putting the women into them. My daughter and I were lifted in the boat commanded by the fifth officer.

“There was a moan of agony and anguish from those in our boat when the Titanic sank, and we insisted that the officer head back for the place where the Titanic had disappeared. We found one man with a life preserver on him struggling in the cold water, and for a moment I thought that he was my son.”


[The following was appended to another editions carrying the above syndicated copy]

The family of A. T. Compton could not be located in New Orleans. It was learned that there is a prominent family of the name of Compton living in Rapides parish. Another well-known Compton family lives in Mississippi in the vicinity of Vicksburg.

The above New York telegram and comment appeared in the New Orleans States yesterday. The Vicksburg Comptons are distantly related and not well acquainted with the Comptons mentioned in the dispatch. T. W. Compton thinks the, family concerned in the Titanic disaster are descendants of his grandfather's brother. - Vicksburg Evening Post, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 20 Apr 1912, page 6

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  1. David Compton David Compton
    Where would I search to find out if I was part of those Compton's on the titantic
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Encyclopedia Titanica (2008) MRS. COMPTON TELLS OF TITANIC DISASTER (Newark Evening News, Friday 19th April 1912, ref: #6221, published 10 June 2008, generated 6th October 2024 03:31:10 AM); URL : https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/compton-tells-of-titanic-disaster.html