| Lowe concluded his search as dawn was breaking, having assured himself that there was no one left alive in the water. He set #14's sail - the only boat to utilize one - and made his way back to the flotilla of boats he had previously gathered together. "... I was sailing, you see. I was going through the water very nicely, going at about, well, I should say, four knots, five knots, maybe; it may have been a little more; it may have been six; but, anyhow, I was bowling along very nicely." He returned to find his boats had scattered. #12 and #4 went to rescue men on the overturned and sinking Collapsible B, and Collapsible D – now fairly heavily laden with passengers – didn't have sufficient crew. |  |
| Sarah Compton, transferred to Collapsible D from #14 remembered the scene – "With daylight we saw the Carpathia, and not so very long afterwards Officer Lowe, sailing towards us, for, as he had predicted, quite a strong breeze had sprung up. We caught the rope which he threw us from the stern of his boat. Someone in ours succeeded in catching it, and we were taken in tow to the Carpathia." (S. Compton)
This was the first good look many of the passengers had of the man whose voice had guided and encouraged them through the night: "Looking towards the spot from which the voice came I saw a young man about six foot very slender and sinewy. His face was clear cut and of the fine British red. He had keen, deep set, merry black eyes. His cap was tilted boyishly on one side. He looked like a college boy out on an early morning lark." (R. Harris)
Towing Collapsible D towards Carpathia, Lowe came across another lifeboat in worse peril. Collapsible A had floated off the deck of Titanic as she had begun her final plunge, and the handful of survivors had huddled in her awaiting rescue. "In this little boat the canvas was not raised up. We tried to raise the canvas up but we could not get it up. We stood all night in about 12 or 14 inches of water on this thing and our feet were in water all the time I could not exactly say how long we were there, but I know it was more than four hours on this raft" (Olaus Abelseth, US Senate Inquiry)
Many of those who had originally sought refuge in the swamped collapsible had perished from cold during the night. Lowe feared that her situation was so precarious she could well founder completely within minutes, and debated letting go Collapsible D to hasten his progress: "I was just thinking and wondering whether it would be better for me to cut this one adrift and let her go, and for me to travel faster to the sinking one, but I thought, 'No, I think I can manage it'; so I cracked on a bit, and I got there just in time and took off, I suppose, about 20 men and 1 lady out of this sinking collapsible." (US Senate Inquiry)
He made it in time to the other boat, and ordered its occupants to allow its one female occupant, Rosa Abbott, aboard #14 first. He then told the men aboard Collapsible A to make one final check of the three bodies lying in the bottom of boat: "I made the men on that collapsible turn those bodies over before I took them into my boat. I said 'Before you come on board here you turn those bodies over and make sure they are dead.' and they did so." (British Inquiry)
Lowe then opened the boat's seacocks and set her adrift, but Collapsible A did not founder and was found adrift some weeks later by the White Star Liner Oceanic, the three bodies still aboard. They were buried at sea, and the last of Titanic's lifeboats was brought back to New York.
Lowe's description of the different skills involved in seamanship serves as an excellent explanation of how he was able to organize several boats at sea in the middle of the North Atlantic, execute a transfer of passengers, return to rescue survivors, tow one boat to safety and rescue the occupants of another along the way: "A sailor is not necessarily a boatman; neither is a boat man a sailor, because they are two very different callings. I might pride myself that I am both - both a sailor and a boatman. A sailor may go to sea for quite a number of years and never go into a boat, never touch an oar, whereas you put a boat man in a ship and put him to do a job, and he is useless. He does not know anything about it. That is trying to convert a boatman into a sailor." (US Senate Inquiry)
The occupants of #14 were taken aboard Carpathia at 7.00 am., and Lowe's words at the United States Inquiry are highly evocative of the exhausted emotions of the survivors:
Senator Smith: What, if anything, did you do after that? (US Senate Inquiry)
Lowe's actions had earned him many admirers amongst those he had saved, one of the most prominent of whom was Irene 'Rene' Harris. Her husband, theatrical producer Henry B Harris, had perished in the disaster. Once established in her stateroom aboard Carpathia, she promptly began making inquiries as to the identity of the young officer who had so impressed her: "I sent for him, and when he came to my door I said 'Mr. Lowe, you are wonderful. I want to thank you. I have no money, but when I get to New York I want to reward you.' He flushed up to his cap. 'I will never take money for doing my duty,' he said." (R. Harris)
Lowe seems to have spent some time with the passengers and crew of his own boat, noting later that: "One does not seem to be interested in anybody else's boat except his own; and when we were on board the Carpathia I would go and see – well, I don't know. I suppose you might deem them your friends; I suppose you could. They were very suddenly brought together, and all that. I used to go around among them; and I knew my boat crew." (US Senate Inquiry)
He would also be involved in an incident with the apparently habitually insensitive Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff Gordon. Rene Harris and several other survivors were disturbed on deck by the sight of Titanic crewmembers wearing lifejackets. "Good God - what has happened now?" Harris asked them in horror. They reassured her that nothing was amiss - the Duff Gordons were merely taking photographic souvenirs of their role in the disaster. At this point, the Duff Gordons approached the bedraggled survivors with camera poised. The resulting uproar brought Harold Lowe to the scene, and the most junior surviving officer - noted all his life for his frankness - told the Duff Gordons precisely what he thought of their conduct. The unfortunate aristocrats took their photographs elsewhere.
Carpathia docked in New York at Pier 54 on April 18, 1912 and, after the passengers had disembarked, Titanic's surviving crew and officers were taken aboard the tender George Starr and transferred to the Red Star Line vessel Lapland, where the four surviving officers were given first class accommodation while awaiting what they hoped would be a quick return to England.
On April 20 the officers and some crewmembers were issued with subpoenas requiring them to appear before the American Senate Inquiry into the disaster and on April 21 the inquiry was shifted to Washington DC. Lowe found himself traveling via train to the United States capital and, along with his fellow officers, a target for media interest.
The four surviving officers were accommodated at the Continental Hotel with the crew members also required to give evidence. The intrusive attentions of the newspapers finally reached a point where, as the crew signed the hotel's registry, newshounds craned their heads over the crew's shoulders to read the names and address. Lowe - exhausted and frustrated - could take no more, and snapped that "In England, I say a man would get a punch in the nose if he attempted to look over the guest book!"
The newspapers had an interesting relationship with the colorful and bluntly spoken Fifth Officer. When he finally returned to England reporters again lay in wait, and he would receive particular attention from the Daily Sketch:
The Fifth Officer, Mr Lowe, who told the American Court of Inquiry that he asked Mr Ismay, while the boats were being lowered, not to let his anxiety to help hinder the men, attracted much attention from the crowd. It was Mr Lowe to whom Senator Smith, the chairman of the inquiry, apologized for having made - through a misunderstanding - an unfounded suggestion. Mr. Lowe was frank in his criticism of some of the newspapers on the other side. (Daily Sketch 13 May 1912)
As the story emerged from his own testimony before the inquiry on April 24, well supported by the testimony of crew and passengers, the newspapers warmed to his remarkable actions on the night of the disaster. One Omaha paper contrasted him to the preceding witness, Lookout Frederick Fleet, saying that Lowe's responses were "given in a firm, clear voice". While they seized with relish the fact that he had told Ismay (vilified for having survived, and later implicated in Titanic's rash speed) to "get the hell out of it", they also printed the stories of survivors who praised the young officer.
Lowe also had his admirers in the crowd that had flocked to witness the proceedings of the Inquiry, amongst them a group of young lady seminarians. He would display a certain theatrical flair during the proceedings, as when he mimed how he had fired his gun, closing one eye and sighting along his arm. Many of the female members of the audience relished this, greeting the gesture with a spontaneous "ooooh!"
His exchanges with the inquiry's chairman, Senator William Alden Smith, were less amiable. As one newspaper put it, there were "frequent tilts" between Lowe and Smith, which "enlivened" procedures. Another newspaper would run the headline "Quibble over Questions", noting that "Senator Smith and Lowe constantly quibbled and became sarcastic."
Matters had not got off to an auspicious beginning - When asked what role he had taken in the sea trials, Lowe answered with characteristic frankness "I could no more tell you now than fly."
When pressed over one question about lifeboat drills at Southampton, Lowe would protest "I am here and doing my best to help you, and I do not remember".
It is debatable whether Lowe was evasive in his responses. Certainly at least part of the abrasive tone of their exchanges was due to the adversarial manner of Smith's questioning, a situation not helped by the fact that, by his own admission, Smith knew little of ships and seafaring – hardly the sort of inquisitor likely to earn the respect of an experienced seaman such as Lowe.
There are other factors to be considered in examining Lowe's occasionally vague responses to questions, notably the possibility of "Survivors Guilt" suffered by many of those who had lived through the disaster. This is especially relevant with male survivors, even more so in the case of a man such as Lowe who had been in a position of authority aboard the ship. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), another condition common to survivors of extremely stressful events, was also not recognized at the time. Psychology was in its infancy in 1912, and a few short years into the future extreme PTSD sufferers during World War I would be labeled as "shell shock" victims at best, and might be shot for desertion or cowardice in worst case scenarios.
Lowe was not thanked for his evidence at its conclusion. He would, however, have to deal with the Italian ambassador Cusani, who demanded an apology for instances in his testimony where Lowe had used the term "Italian" to describe passengers who committed acts of desperation or cowardice (e.g. the passengers crowding A deck who had prompted him to fire his warning shots). Cusani was understandably disturbed by the tendency of passengers and crew to label as "Italian" any person accused of behaving in an unseemly fashion during the sinking, and Lowe – as the most junior surviving officer and already a high profile figure due to the nature of his testimony – was the perfect individual to target. Lowe fully retracted his remarks, stating "I did not intend to cast any reflection on the Italian nation". Although there is a tendency among some Titanic historians to label Lowe as somehow exceptionally bigoted, it creates a distorted impression of the era to suggest that he was in any way unusual in his prejudices.
Others, however, remained appreciative of his efforts, including many of those passengers who had been under his care. Sarah Compton was most likely the source for an article that appeared in the New York Times that declared "Thrilling tales of the heroism of the Fifth Officer of the wrecked Titanic were told yesterday by some of the passengers, whose lives he saved". Clear Cameron privately supported his testimony at the inquiry, sending clippings of it to her family with the statement that "every word he says is true".
The Senate Inquiry, which had the effect of introducing much needed reform into the merchant shipping industry, was wound up at the end of April, freeing the surviving officers to return to England. Before his departure, Rene Harris once again sought out Harold Lowe and offered him money before leaving New York – "He flushed again and said: 'Mrs. Harris, you make me blush. I have only done my duty. I won't take a penny for that. I only hollered. Anybody can holler.' He could not be moved." (R. Harris) |
 | The officers, along with other crew members and J Bruce Ismay, returned to England on the White Star Liner Adriatic, a ship that E J Smith had commanded on her maiden voyage. They arrived in Liverpool on May 11, to be greeted by a veritable circus of the media, the curious and - most importantly - their families and loved ones. There to greet Harold Lowe was his father and older sister, Ada. The English press - already fully aware of Lowe's remarks to Ismay on the deck of the sinking Titanic and his subsequent actions - eagerly sought comments from the young officer and snapped his photo.
The day Lowe arrived back in England with his colleagues, an interview with Rene Harris appeared in the New York Evening Journal. The story - focused largely on Lowe's actions in #14 the night of the sinking - was titled "Real Hero of the 'Titanic'", and concluded with these words from Harris: |
"I have told this story because if Great Britain had only such seamen there would be no such disasters. And this was his first transatlantic crossing. He is the one hero of the survivors of the 'Titanic'. He is a brave, splendid youth, whom Great Britain should reward by instant promotion."(R. Harris)
The ordeal for Lowe and his fellow officers was far from over - they now had to face an English inquiry. Although more formally structured and conducted than the Senate investigation, the potential career ramifications for Titanic's officers were much more daunting. If found culpable, they could be deprived of their hard-earned Masters certifications. As matters transpired, the question of withdrawing their certification was never seriously entertained.
Lowe commenced his testimony on May 22, 1912 with customary flair:
Q. "Were you the Fifth Officer on the Titanic?" (British Inquiry)
The English newspapers, very conscious of the vivid impression Lowe had made while testifying in the United States, had an intense interest in the evidence of the young officer and reported on his reactions to questions: "In reply to the question whether he knew the names of those on the collapsible he [Lowe] said, with a laugh, that he knew the name of the lady only" (Daily Sketch 23 May 1912)
Of great interest to all was his exchange with Ismay during the loading of #5:
Q. "What did you say to Mr Ismay?" (British Inquiry)
Lowe prefaced his response with a laugh, which was echoed by those in the audience.
Debate over Lowe's actions, particularly his exchange with Ismay, would extend even to the literary lions of his day, George Bernard Shaw and Arthur Conan Doyle. Shaw would scathingly satirize the popular reaction to the disaster:
"Third romantic demand. The officers must be calm, proud, steady, unmoved in the intervals of shooting the terrified foreigners. The verdict that they had surpassed all expectations was unanimous. The actual evidence was that Mr. Ismay was told by the officer of his boat to go to hell, and that boats which were not full refused to go to the rescue of those who were struggling in the water in cork jackets. Reason frankly given: they were afraid. The fear was as natural as the officer's language to Mr. Ismay: who of us at home dare blame them or feel sure that we should have been any cooler or braver?" (George Bernard Shaw, "The Titanic: Some Unmentioned Morals", The Daily News, May 14 1912)
Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, would staunchly defend Lowe's actions:
"Mr. Shaw's next suggestion - all the more poisonous because it is not put into so many words - is that the officers did not do their duty. If his vague words mean anything they can only mean this. He quotes as if it were a crime the words of Lowe to Mr. Ismay when he interfered with his boat. I could not imagine a finer example of an officer doing his duty than that a subordinate should dare to speak thus to the managing director of the Line when he thought that he was impeding his lifesaving work." (Arthur Conan Doyle, "Mr Shaw and the Titanic", The Daily News, May 20 1912)
It is not uncommon, even in present day histories of the disaster, to come across a sort of caricature of Harold Lowe – a stereotyped image of a short-tempered, swearing, impetuous sailor. There is frequently a quite basic dichotomy in these accounts; on the one hand Lowe is depicted as hotheaded and excitable, then- frequently in the same work- there are references such as that found in one book to his "well-nigh chilling detachment". He certainly had physical courage in abundance, proven from an early age, but Lowe was quite capable of assessing a situation and behaving calmly and appropriately rather than simply impulsively. He is still remembered by those who knew him as a very calm, reasonable individual.
Once it was ascertained in his hometown of Barmouth that not only had Lowe survived, but had also been the means of saving others, preparations began for a ceremony to recognize the young officer -
"Some of his old friends and comrades are anxious to show their appreciation of his brave conduct, and we are given to understand that a movement is on foot, the object of which is to present Mr Lowe with some recognition of his gallant conduct in the hour of severe trial. A representative committee is being constituted to carry the matter through." (Barmouth Advertiser, 25 April 1912)
On June 21, 1912 a reception was held at the Barmouth Picture Pavilion. 1,300 people attended, notified in advance by leaflets and fliers throughout the town. There was certainly a romantic element to it all - the boy who had run away to sea as a teenager was returning as an internationally recognized figure.
Lowe was presented with a gold watch, paid for by his many admirers, and also a special presentation gift from New York. Rene Harris finally had the opportunity to recognize and reward Lowe as she had previously attempted to do, by sending him a set of expensive nautical equipment consisting of a sextant, Ross naval telescope, and high power binoculars. Each was inscribed "To Harold Godfrey Lowe, 5th Officer RMS Titanic. 'The real hero of the Titanic' with deepest gratitude from Mrs Henry B Harris of New York".
Lowe's reaction was recorded by one reporter attending the occasion:
"When he expressed his gratitude for the exceeding kindness of Mrs. Harris it was plainly evident that the young man's emotion was taxed to the utmost limit – the terrible scene being vividly recalled, as well as the lady's trouble and kindness afterwards."
Lowe returned to sea, picking up the threads of his life and career. In the brief period between the sinking of Titanic and the outbreak of World War I he would serve on the Australia run, including a stint on Medic. In happier days his fellow Titanic officers Wilde, Murdoch and Lightoller had all served on her.
His personal life took a turn for the better the following year with his marriage to Ellen Marion Whitehouse in September, 1913. The couple established themselves in North Wales and had two children, a daughter named Florence Josephine Edge Lowe (generally known as Josephine) and a son, Harold William George Lowe.
The outbreak of war in August, 1914 found Lowe called up in his role as a sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR). He served through the war, mostly stationed on cruisers. Lowe's service to his country was rewarded with a commission as Commander in the RNR. Upon being demobilized he returned to sea.
After his comparatively early retirement, Harold Lowe moved his family to a pleasant house overlooking the estuary at Deganwy in North Wales. He would never lose his connection with the sea, keeping his own boat up until his death, and teaching his own children some of the skills in seamanship he had picked up over the course of a lifetime.
Although suffering from ill-health, Lowe volunteered his home as a sector post upon the outbreak of World War II, also taking up a position as Air Raid Warden for Deganwy. A tradition still exists in one branch of the Lowe family that he was very enthusiastic in this role and "carried out his duties to the letter, and that his manners were those of a perfect Victorian gentleman with his language littered with high seas invective". Indomitable to the very end, he did not allow ill health to interfere in what he perceived as the fulfillment of his duties.
Lowe did not speak often of Titanic or his role in the disaster, as the memory was understandably very painful to him.
Suffering from hypertension compounded by malaria, he succumbed to a stroke on May 12, 1944 at home with Ellen. He was sixty-one years old, and the first of Titanic's four surviving officers to pass away.
He would be eulogized as "a man who made up his mind what his duty was and did it regardless of personal consequences". While this can be applied to the Titanic disaster, in a wider sense it is true of his entire life and the personal code by which he lived.
On the 16th May 1944 he was interred in the parish Churchyard of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, not far from where he had lived in Deganwy. In addition to a church service of the faith in which he had devoutly believed, Masonic rites were carried out at the graveside. Ellen, Josephine and several other family members were in attendance (Harold W G Lowe was serving in the armed forces at the time). The simple inscription on the gravestone gives no indication of his role in the tragic events of thirty-two years before, which is precisely how Lowe would have wished it:
Devoted Husband Harold Godfrey Lowe Com R.D.R.N.R. Who passed away May 12th 1944 Aged 61 Years "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Phil. 1.3.
Ellen passed away only a few years after her husband, and is buried beside him. Her headstone reads: Ellen Marion Lowe his wife who joined him February 10th 1947 Aged 63 years O generous heart who earned, Through love and grief, the peace of God Which passeth all belief.
The graveyard looks over the sea.
Copyright 1999 Inger Sheil & Kerri Sundberg
**All images within this document which are from the website owners' private collection may not be reproduced without their permission. All images belonging to the Lowe Family Collection have been used with the permission of the Lowe family.**
The authors would like to acknowledge the invaluable support and assistance of the Lowe family in their research, in particular the late Harold WG Lowe and Janet Lowe of the Cheshire branch of the family.
The authors of this brief overview of Harold G Lowe's life and career are currently researching a full-scale biography of Commander Lowe. Information, comments and criticisms are appreciated.
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