CHARLES JOUGHIN- AN UNSUNG HERO ON THE TITANIC
When the RMS– Titanic struck the iceberg and began to sink on that faithful cold night in April 1912, everyone was in a state of panic even the ship’s staff who were supposed to help calm the passengers were in a state of fright.
Along came Charles Joughin, the head baker to help save as many lives as possible and help coordinate the rescue.
His first order of business was to provide bread for all the people on the lifeboats to have something to eat until they were rescued.
He then helped many children and women onto the lifeboats and when it was his turn to be rescued he gave up his space in the boat to enable more children to be saved.
Knowing his chances of survival were next to nothing after giving up his spot in the boat, he did the one thing any sane man would do knowing his life is about to end: he got drunk, totally drunk. On his way to get his whiskey to drink himself into a stupor, he threw furniture into the freezing ocean for survivors to use as floating devices.
After drinking himself into a stupor, he waited for the ship to sink and is known as the last survivor to leave the titanic.
He spent hours in the cold Atlantic ocean watching hundreds die, however the alcohol in his system helped fight the cold and keep him alive. As morning came, he found a lifeboat and swam to it only to find out it was full.
He had to wait for another lifeboat and he was successfully rescued.
Surprisingly he showed no signs of illness or injury or have been in the water for long hours.
Joughin later joined the navy and died at the ripe age of 78, living a fulfilling life all thanks to his bottle of whisky. I guess good things come to good people.
Author-Ahanta Bred
Wow. Never heard of him. Such a noble and inspiring man and this is very well written. Thank you for bring light to this man.