Social Class and Survival on the S.S. Titanic

Passengers’ chances of surviving the sinking of the S.S. Titanic were related to their sex and their social class: females were more likely to survive than males, and the chances of survival declined with social class as measured by the class in which the passenger travelled. The probable reasons for these differences in rates of survival are discussed as are the reasons accepted by the Mersey Committee of Inquiry into the sinking.

Key Points

Data Sources

Data were obtained from the British inquiry conducted by Lord Mersey in 1912 and cross-checked with the White Star Line’s final list of lost and saved passengers.

Statistical Analyses

Log-linear analysis was used to examine the relationships between survival, sex, and class.
Significant findings include:
1. Females were more likely to survive than males.
2. No overall difference in survival between passengers and crew.
3. Survival chances declined linearly from first to third class.
4. The relationship between class and survival was more pronounced among women and children.

Reasons for Low Survival Rates

Lack of Lifeboats: The Titanic did not carry enough lifeboats for all passengers due to outdated regulations.
Reluctance to Leave the Ship: Many passengers did not believe they were in danger and were hesitant to leave the “unsinkable” ship.
Lifeboat Policies: Lifeboats were not filled to capacity, and few efforts were made to rescue people from the water.
Cold Water: The North Atlantic’s cold water temperatures made survival in the water nearly impossible.

Reasons for Higher Survival Rates Among Women and Children

Women and children were given preference for lifeboat spots due to the known scarcity of positions.
The policy was generally followed, although enforcement varied between the port and starboard sides of the ship.

Social Class Differences in Survival

The Mersey inquiry considered three explanations for class differences:
1. Deliberate exclusion of third-class passengers (rejected by the inquiry).
2. Disadvantage due to the ship’s layout (also rejected).
3. Behaviour of third-class passengers, such as reluctance to leave belongings and language barriers (accepted by the inquiry).

Conclusion

The study highlights marked sex and social class differences in survival rates.
Factors influencing these differences include the positioning of lifeboats, policies favoring first and second-class passengers, and neglect of third-class passengers.
The Mersey inquiry concluded that class differences in survival were not due to conscious policy but rather the behavior of passengers.

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Citation:
Wayne Hall (1986) Social Class and Survival on the S.S. Titanic Social Science & Medicine, Vol. 22, No. 6

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