Sinking of the titanic and the unselfish acts of Straus and Astor
While in New York City I visited both Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx and Trinity Church Cemetery and discovered the graves of two prominent New York businessmen, Isidor Straus, co-owner of Macy’s Department Stores, and John Jacob Astor IV, real estate tycoon, who both perished on the Titanic on April 15, 1912.
As the story is told, both men proved true gentlemen during that frigid morning aboard the RMS Titanic, after the luxury liner struck an iceberg and began to sink. Despite their wealth, status, and influence, both men followed protocol when ordered, stepping aside so women and children could board the lifeboats first.
Straus was offered a seat on a lifeboat due to his age, but he refused to board while women and children were still stranded. His wife, Ida Straus, famously declared, ‘As we have lived, so we will die together,’ and gave up her own seat to remain by his side, having first ensured her maid took it instead. The couple was last seen standing arm in arm on the deck as the ship went down.
Only the body of Isidor Straus was recovered.
Meanwhile, at Lifeboat 4, Astor helped his pregnant wife, along with her maid and nurse, into the boat, then asked if he might join her because she was in ‘a delicate condition.’ Second Officer Lightoller told him men were not to be allowed to board until all the women and children had been loaded. Astor did not protest, simply kissed his wife, and told her he would follow in another boat.
John Jacob with his wife, Madeleine and their Airedale terrier, Kitty, who also didn’t survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912.
Astor’s body was recovered on April 22 by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett and was identified by the initials sewn into the lapel of his jacket. Among the items found on him was a gold pocket watch, which his son Vincent claimed and wore for the rest of his life.
A good ending to this tragedy, Madeleine Astor, wife of John Jacob Astor IV, survived and four months later, gave birth to a healthy boy named John Jacob VI, whom was dubbed the “Titanic baby”.
