Survived 1912 Titanic Sinking
Mrs. Minnie Coutts of 38 S. Pierson Rd., Maplewood, a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic in the North Atlantic, died today at her home after a long illness. She was 84.
Mrs. Coutts and her son Neville, with whom she lived, were among the 704 persons rescued when the Titanic, on its maiden voyage, went down after hitting an iceberg April 14, 1912. More than 1,500 persons lost their lives.
Neville was 3. His mother was bringing him to this country from Ireland. His father, the late William Coutts, had settled in this country earlier and had sent for his family after establishing a jewelry business in New York.
Recounted Events
Three years ago on the anniversary of the sinking of the ship, Mrs. Coutts recounted the events of the tragic sinking at a family gathering.
"We were in the lower deck cabin and the two boys--another son, William Jr., has since died--were sound asleep. I felt a jar and I knew something was wrong because suddenly it was so quiet. I got the boys up--Neville hated to get up--dressed them and put their life belts on.""
"The boys didn't know what it was all about. I wasn't afraid for myself, but I was afraid they would be afraid.""
Given Life Jacket
Mrs. Coutts recalled that there was no panic on her deck, nor was there any commotion. She took her sons to the top deck where the crew was preparing life boats. She didn't have a life jacket, but a British officer approached her, took his off and put it on her with this observation: ""You will remember me.""
Mrs. Coutts and her sons were in the life boat several hours before they were picked up by the Carpathia.
Besides Neville, Mrs. Coutts is survived by two grandchildren. The funeral will be at 1 P.M. Wednesday at Litwyn & Litwyn, 801 Springfield Ave., Irvington.
Mrs. Minnie Coutts of 38 S. Pierson Rd., Maplewood, a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic in the North Atlantic, died today at her home after a long illness. She was 84.
Mrs. Coutts and her son Neville, with whom she lived, were among the 704 persons rescued when the Titanic, on its maiden voyage, went down after hitting an iceberg April 14, 1912. More than 1,500 persons lost their lives.
Neville was 3. His mother was bringing him to this country from Ireland. His father, the late William Coutts, had settled in this country earlier and had sent for his family after establishing a jewelry business in New York.
Recounted Events
Three years ago on the anniversary of the sinking of the ship, Mrs. Coutts recounted the events of the tragic sinking at a family gathering.
"We were in the lower deck cabin and the two boys--another son, William Jr., has since died--were sound asleep. I felt a jar and I knew something was wrong because suddenly it was so quiet. I got the boys up--Neville hated to get up--dressed them and put their life belts on.""
"The boys didn't know what it was all about. I wasn't afraid for myself, but I was afraid they would be afraid.""
Given Life Jacket
Mrs. Coutts recalled that there was no panic on her deck, nor was there any commotion. She took her sons to the top deck where the crew was preparing life boats. She didn't have a life jacket, but a British officer approached her, took his off and put it on her with this observation: ""You will remember me.""
Mrs. Coutts and her sons were in the life boat several hours before they were picked up by the Carpathia.
Besides Neville, Mrs. Coutts is survived by two grandchildren. The funeral will be at 1 P.M. Wednesday at Litwyn & Litwyn, 801 Springfield Ave., Irvington.
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