Matthew Diston
M2 Track:
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Frederick Barret
Benjamin Guggenheim
- Fredrick William Barrett
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He was born to a working-class family on January 10th, 1883 in Lancashire, England.
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He first appears on crew manifests in 1903 onboard multiple boats as a leading fireman (stoker, specifically overseeing other stokers) for about £6 a month (£875, $900 today)
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At the time of the collision, Barret was on duty in boiler room 6 in stokehold 10. Water began gushing into the boiler and he escaped to number 5 just as the watertight door dropped.
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He, along with many other firemen, kept the furnaces running, keeping the ship afloat long enough for the lifeboats to be launched.
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After making it up to the deck he climbed aboard the nearly full Boat 13 just before it was lowered.
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He helped manage the boat while still dressed in light clothing designed for working in the boiler rooms, a lady put a cloak on him and he fell asleep
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He later went on to marry in 1915 and have several children while working as a timber laborer before passing from pulmonary tuberculosis in 1931 (age 48)
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Benjamin Guggenheim
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Born on October 26th, 1865 in New York.
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Married Florette Seligman in October 1894 and had three daughters
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He boarded with his valet Victor Giglio and his “mistress” Madame Aubart (Played by Siggy Bijou). His and Giglio’s tickets cost £79 (£11,500, $11,800 today).
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After the collision, Bedroom Steward Etches (played by JP Berry) helped Guggenheim into his lifebelt in his room B-84, which was greatly resisted
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Guggenheim would later go back to his room and change into his finest evening wear with his valet. Famously he remarked “We’ve dressed up in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen”
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