Harold Lowe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Commander
Harold Lowe
RNR
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| Born |
Harold Godfrey Lowe
21 November 1882 Eglwys Rhos, Conwy, Wales
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| Died | 12 May 1944 (aged 61) Deganwy, Conwy, Wales
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| Occupation | Merchant seaman, Naval officer, Civil Defence Service |
| Spouse(s) |
Ellen Marion Whitehouse
(m. 1913) |
| Children | 2 |
Harold Godfrey Lowe (born November 21, 1882 – died May 12, 1944) was an important officer on the famous ship, the Titanic. He was the Fifth Officer and one of only three officers who survived the sinking of the ship. He was also a Commander in the RNR.
Contents
About Harold Lowe
His Early Life and Dream
Harold Lowe was born in Llanrhos, Wales, on November 21, 1882. He was one of eight children. His father wanted him to become a businessman, but Harold had a different dream. He was determined to go to sea.
At just 14 years old, he left his home in Barmouth and joined the Merchant Navy. He started as a ship's boy on small Welsh ships. He worked hard to earn his sailing certificates. By 1911, he had earned his Master's certificate. This meant he could command a ship. He had experience on many different types of ships. Before joining the Titanic, he worked on other White Star Line ships. The Titanic's first trip across the Atlantic Ocean was his first time crossing it too.
Working on the Titanic
Harold Lowe joined the Titanic in Belfast in March 1912. On April 10, the day the ship sailed, Lowe helped with safety checks. He helped lower two of the lifeboats to make sure they worked. When the Titanic left Southampton, Lowe was on the ship's bridge. He helped send messages around the ship. He felt a bit like an outsider on the Titanic. This was because he hadn't worked with the other officers before. Also, they had all crossed the Atlantic before, but he hadn't.
The Sinking of the Titanic
On April 14, 1912, the night the Titanic hit an iceberg, Lowe was asleep. He was off duty at 8:00 PM. He slept through the collision at 11:40 PM. About 30 minutes later, he woke up. He later said, "We officers do not have any too much sleep, and therefore when we sleep, we die."
When he realized what was happening, he quickly got dressed. He went to help. He was put in charge of loading Lifeboat No. 5. Later, while helping to launch Lifeboats Nos. 14 and 16, he and another officer decided one of them should go with the boats. Lowe got into Lifeboat No. 14.
As Lifeboat 14 was being lowered, the situation on the ship's deck became very tense. Many passengers realized the ship was sinking. Lowe used his pistol to fire three shots. He fired them along the side of the ship. This was to scare away men trying to jump into the lifeboat. He later said he did not hit anyone. He was careful where he aimed.
After reaching the water, Lowe moved his lifeboat about 150 yards away from the Titanic. When the ship sank at 2:20 AM, Lowe gathered several lifeboats together. He wanted to go back for survivors. But he worried his boat would be swamped by too many people. There were not enough experienced crewmen in the boats.
He moved survivors around in the boats he had gathered. This made one lifeboat ready to go back and search for people. He chose a special team of crewmen for this rescue boat. They waited for a while before going back. This was so fewer people would be in the water. They didn't want to be swamped. They later realized the water was too cold for anyone to survive long.
Lowe's boat rescued four men from the water. One of them died later that night. Many voices could be heard, but it was hard to find people in the dark. Lowe's lifeboat was one of only two that went back for survivors. He was also the only officer to use the mast and sail in his lifeboat. He used the wind to help rescue passengers from the sinking Collapsible A lifeboat.
The next morning, Lowe and his group of lifeboats were picked up by the RMS Carpathia. A picture taken by a passenger on the Carpathia shows Lowe at the back of Lifeboat 14. He stayed on his lifeboat until everything was properly stored away.
The Inquiries
The Titanic survivors arrived in New York on April 18. Lowe was immediately asked to speak at the American inquiry. This was an investigation into the sinking. His answers were very direct. When asked what an iceberg was made of, Lowe replied, "Ice, I suppose, sir."
The surviving officers felt the American inquiry was not fair. They thought they were treated poorly. They were surprised that people who knew nothing about ships were asking questions. Lowe returned to England on May 2 to take part in the British inquiry.
Later Life and Family
When Harold Lowe returned to his hometown of Barmouth, 1,300 people came to a special event for him. He received a gold watch. It thanked him for his brave actions during the Titanic sinking.
In September 1913, Harold married Ellen Marion Whitehouse. They had two children. Their daughter, Florence Josephine, was born in 1914. Their son, Harold William, was born during World War I. Lowe served in the Royal Naval Reserve during World War I. He reached the rank of Lieutenant. After the war, he continued working on ships. He retired in 1931 and lived in Deganwy with his family.
During World War II, he helped by volunteering his home. He also served as an Air Raid Warden. This meant he helped people during air raids. He had to stop when he became ill.
His Death
Harold Lowe passed away on May 12, 1944, at 61 years old. He was buried in a churchyard in Rhos-on-Sea, Wales.
His Legacy
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Harold Lowe has been shown in several movies and TV shows about the Titanic.
- In the 1979 movie S. O. S. Titanic, he was played by Karl Howman.
- Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd played him in the famous 1997 movie Titanic.
- He was also played by Kavan Smith in the 1996 TV miniseries.
- Ifan Meredith played him in the 2012 TV miniseries Titanic.
A book called Titanic Valour: The Life of Fifth Officer Harold Lowe was written about him. The author, Inger Sheil, found many people who praised Lowe. Many survivors said he saved their lives. They said his strong leadership and organizing skills were very important. His actions that night were called "exemplary," meaning excellent.
Lowe received many gifts and offers of money from grateful passengers. He always turned them down. He humbly said he was just doing his job. A survivor named Renee Harris said in 1932 that Lowe was one of the finest men she had ever met.
There was an article in 2018 that mentioned an old story. This story claimed Lowe refused to save a Chinese man at first. However, Lowe's biographer, Inger Sheil, says this story is likely false. The person who first told the story was not even on Lowe's rescue boat. Also, Lowe was known to respect Chinese people. He even risked his life to save a Chinese sailor once.
In 2004, a menu from the Titanic's first meal was sold for a lot of money. Lowe had sent this menu to his fiancée. It broke the record for Titanic items sold at auction.
A special plaque was put up in Barmouth, Wales, in Lowe's memory. This was on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking. The plaque is in both Welsh and English. It has pictures of Lowe and the Titanic. It says he was a local hero who played a brave role in rescuing survivors. His grandson, Captain John Lowe, helped unveil the plaque.
Another small blue plaque marks Lowe's last home. It is at 1, Marine Crescent in Deganwy, Wales. He lived there until he passed away in 1944.
See also
In Spanish: Harold Lowe para niños
