20 Famous People Who Almost Boarded the Titanic

Believe it or not, the founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company had booked a cabin on the Titanic and paid a deposit of $300. When he realized he had urgent matters to attend to at his factory, he cut his vacation short and returned to the United States aboard another ship, the Amerika. The original check he gave to the White Star Line is still preserved in the Hershey archives.

Given that he was technically the owner of the Titanic through his company, the International Mercantile Marine Company, one might think that J. Pierpont Morgan would have attended the ship’s christening. Morgan did board the ship while it was docked in France, but he decided at the last minute to stay ashore. He chose to extend his vacation at an exclusive spa and received several massages that ultimately saved his life.

The inventor of the wireless telegraph won a Nobel Prize for his invaluable contributions at sea. The owners of the Titanic persuaded Marconi to come aboard for free, but he decided to stay in Europe so he could catch up on his administrative work. He claimed that the offices were more efficient on his other ship, the Lusitania.

A member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family had his luggage and servant delivered aboard the Titanic before the day of departure. However, Mrs. Vanderbilt’s uncle had a bad feeling about the ship and convinced him not to board. The Vanderbilts canceled their reservations a few hours before boarding.

You may recognize this name as that of the co-founder of Johnson & Johnson. He had originally planned to travel to New York on business, but his travel plans changed at the last minute. Due to a sudden work-related issue, he stayed in Europe a few days longer than expected, which spared him from a grim fate.

The American novelist Theodore Dreiser had planned to return to the United States from Europe and was very excited at the prospect of traveling aboard the largest and most modern ship available. After being persuaded by an English publisher to save money, Dreiser took a smaller ship and missed the opportunity to travel aboard the Titanic.

The American evangelist and future Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Mott had reserved a berth on the Titanic. However, he and his traveling companion declined the offer after finding cheaper tickets on a smaller ship. Upon hearing the news of the sinking, Mott believed that a higher power had saved him that day.

Broadway producer Edgar Selwyn and his wife had big plans: to return to the United States and discuss their next productions. However, he stayed in England to attend a reading of a new play that particularly interested him. This change of plans allowed him to survive and have an even greater impact on the film industry by co-founding Goldwyn Pictures.

Millionaire Alfred Vanderbilt, who was scheduled to sail aboard the RMS Lusitania three years later, narrowly escaped the sinking of the Titanic. He changed his ticket so late that he was reported missing after the sinking. His mother was relieved after receiving a telegram informing her that he had chosen not to travel aboard such an “ostentatious” ship.

Frank Seiberling, founder of Goodyear Tire, was supposed to enjoy a pleasant stay in first class during his trip. However, the businessman canceled his plans at the last minute so that his family could extend their vacation in Europe. If he hadn’t decided to spend a few extra days exploring the region, he might not be recognized today as a captain of industry.

Lord Pirrie was chairman of Harland and Wolff, the shipyard that built the Titanic. He was supposed to travel in first class on the maiden voyage, but was suffering from severe prostate problems that kept him bedridden. Forced to follow the events from Belfast, Lord Pirrie watched his greatest achievement sink.

Although we usually focus on wealthy people, this man’s story is a striking example of a last-minute change of plans. He was supposed to stay with the Vanderbilt family, but when they canceled, he was asked to remain on board to watch over their luggage. He became one of the many unsung victims who lost their lives because they followed their employer’s initial logistical plans.

Art lovers have long suspected that the French Impressionist painter Claude Monet was invited to board the Titanic to showcase his paintings to American investors. He declined the offer because he was much more interested in finishing his series of water lilies in his garden. Monet spent the night of April 14 painting in Giverny while the Titanic, reputed to be unsinkable, sank beneath the waves.

The great-grandson of President John Quincy Adams had booked a first-class suite to travel aboard the Titanic. However, the elderly historian’s doctors had advised him against traveling in a stressful environment such as that of a large ocean liner, as it would be detrimental to his health. He postponed his trip and lived for many more years after the sinking.

New York Governor John Alden Dix was supposed to be one of the high-ranking politicians boarding the RMS Titanic. However, at the last minute, he had to take another transatlantic liner due to political pressure in Albany. He probably enjoyed dining safely at the governor’s residence while reading the news about the Titanic.

The president of the RMS Titanic, J. Bruce Ismay, survived the sinking and spent the rest of his life being hated by the public. His wife, Julia, stayed in England to care for their three children. The children were homesick at school, so Mrs. Ismay stayed in England to look after them until they recovered.

Reverend J. Stuart Holden was preparing to cross the Atlantic to attend a religious convention in the United States. However, his wife fell ill just before they were to board the Titanic, and he decided to stay with her. He never boarded the ship, but kept his ticket as a memento of this last-minute change of plans.

British politician Norman Craig had bought a ticket to travel aboard the RMS Titanic, but he decided at the last minute that he didn’t want to go. He hadn’t experienced any terrible emergency or suffered any life-threatening injuries; he simply didn’t feel like going to sea that day. To the great surprise of all his friends, he showed up at his club safe and sound the day after the sinking, having decided to stay in London.

A famous activist and theosophist, Annie Besant traveled frequently between India and Europe and had planned to take the Titanic for her next trip. She changed her mind at the last minute because the Titanic’s arrival in America would have conflicted with her speaking engagements in England. Her busy schedule saved her life.

Journalist Bertram Fletcher Robinson is credited with inspiring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write The Hound of the Baskervilles. He nearly boarded the RMS Titanic but missed his departure because he was working on an article. His dedication to meeting publication deadlines allowed him to live to see another day.