THE appalling disaster to the Titanic has taken away, in the person of Lieut, H. T. Wilde, RNR, one of the most promising officers serving with the White Star Line.
Lieut. Wilde, who was chief officer of the Titanic, commenced his sea career in the sailing ships of Messrs. James Chambers and Co., of Liverpool. On the completion of his apprenticeship, he secured his second mate's certificate, severed his connection with sailing craft and entered steam.
He soon obtained his master's certificate and joined the White Star Company as a junior officer. Mr Wilde held an extra masters certificate and had attained the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve.
He was chief officer of the Olympic at the time of the collision with the cruiser Hawke. He possessed great organising capacity, and this qualification stood him in good stead as chief officer of these huge liners.
He had been in the service of the White Star line for about fifteen years, and it was understood that he was shortly to be given the command of one of the Company's, vessels. He was an officer of merit and deservedly popular, and those who knew him will be satisfied that at the time of trial and danger, he did his duty and died at his post in the spirit of the true British sailor.
He leaves four young children, his wife having died several months before. Lieut. Wilde was thirty-eight years of age.
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