Most people are aware of one Welsh connection with the Titanic, that of 5th officer Harold Lowe from Barmouth, portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd in the 1997 film.
Less well known are other Welsh connections with Titanic, which as we all know, sunk a hundred years ago this week. Designed to rival Cunard’s luxury Ocean Liners, she was designed to be the last word in comfort and luxury, with an on-board gymnasium, swimming pool, libraries, high-class restaurants and opulent cabins. All this must have seemed a world away from the sprawl of Victorian terraced houses at Treherbert and Tonypandy.
Dai Bowen (seated) one of the two boxers who lost his life on the Titanic
Amongst those who were to sample something of both were two Welsh boxers, Leslie Williams and Dai Bowen. Quite how much luxury and opulence they were to encounter as third class passengers is unclear, but it was certainly a world away from the collieries and blacksmiths shops they had worked in. Both were successful boxers at home in Wales, Dai Bowen being current Welsh lightweight champion, though Williams being the older of the two was the better known. They had signed up for a series of contests in America and booked third class tickets costing £16.10p each for the privilege of sailing on the Titanic. Both perished and only Williams body was recovered, identified by his effects – two pocket books, two gold rings, one pair silver cuff links, papers, knife, $30 in gold and a total of £5 16s 6d (£5.83p) in cash along with his ticket giving his address as 59 Primrose Street, Tonypandy.
We all know the legend of the dance band on the Titanic, playing until the last moment. Two of the band members were Wallace Hartley and Jock Hume. Some years before both had enjoyed a summer season playing at the end of the pier at Aberystwyth.
William Troughton