Archibald Gracie IV

Archibald Gracie IV
Gracie IV in c. 1910
Born(1859-01-15)January 15, 1859
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
DiedDecember 4, 1912(1912-12-04) (aged 53)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Cause of deathComplications from diabetes
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery, Bronx
NationalityAmerican
EducationSt. Paul's School
United States Military Academy
Occupation(s)Writer, amateur historian, real estate investor
Known forSurvivor of the RMS Titanic
Parent(s)Archibald Gracie III
Josephine Archibald

Colonel Archibald Gracie IV (January 17, 1859 – December 4, 1912) was an American writer, amateur historian, real estate investor, and survivor of the sinking of the R.M.S Titanic. He survived the sinking by climbing aboard an overturned lifeboat. He wrote a popular book about the disaster which is still in print today.

Early life

Gracie was born on January 17, 1859 in Mobile, Alabama[1] and studied at St. Paul's School. He was never married.

Titanic sinking

Gracie was saved during the sinking of the Titanic when he got onto a lifeboat. Then as the ship started to sink, his life boat was sucked underwater. Gracie and his friend Clinch Smith were under the ship when Gracie was freed from the ship's current and began to swin towards a collapsed lifeboat. His friend Clinch never reached the surface and his remains were never found.

Death

Gracie died on December 4, 1912 from diabetes in New York City, New York,[2] aged 53. He died just 8 months after the sinking, making him the first upper-class Titanic survivor to die. Gracie's last words were "We must get them into the boats. We must get them all into the boats."[3]


References

  1. ↑ Encyclopedia Titanica Biography of Archibald Gracie
  2. ↑ Archibald Gracie Death Certificate on Titanic-Titanic.com
  3. ↑ "COL. GRACIE DIES, HAUNTED BY TITANIC; " We Must Get Them All in the Boats," Last Words of the Man Who Helped to Save Many. (Published 1912)". The New York Times. 5 December 1912. Retrieved 31 January 2013.

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