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The Titanic

First Class Passengers

The maiden voyage of the Titanic had attracted a number of rich passengers.

A first class parlour suite cost £870 while a first class berth cost £30.

The following are some of the more well-known first class travellers.

John Jacob Astor

The richest passenger aboard was multi-millionaire John Jacob Astor. He was travelling with his second wife, Madeleine, who was five months pregnant. JJ Astor did not survive but his wife did.

Benjamin Guggenheim

Millionaire Benjamin Guggenheim was travelling on the Titanic with a lady friend. His wife and family were at home in New York. Guggenheim and his manservant helped women and children into lifeboats. When all the boats had gone they changed into their best clothes and prepared to "Die like gentlemen."

Lady duff Gordon

Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff Gordon

Lady Duff Gordon was a notable dress designer whose clientele included Isadora Duncan, Oscar Wilde and the British royal family. The Duff Gordons both survived but were called to testify at the court of inquiry and explain why their boat contained only twelve people. During the inquiry they were accused and cleared of bribing crew members not to allow more people into the boat.

Molly Brown

The 'Unsinkable' Molly Brown

Molly was the daughter of a poor Irish immigrant family whose husband struck rich when mining for silver. She was travelling home to America aboard the Titanic. She survived the disaster in lifeboat number 6 and earned her nickname because she took control of the boat, kept the women rowing for seven hours and gave her furs to keep others warm.

Isador and Isa Strauss

Isador and Ida Straus

Isador Straus was a partner of Macey's department store, New York. He and his wife were returning from a European holiday. Both died on the Titanic. Ida nearly got into lifeboat number 8 but refused saying to her husband "We have been living together for many years. Where you go, I go."