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The sinking of the S.S. Titanic, April 14-15, 1912
‘A vivid account of how the TITANIC sank by survivor Jack Thayer’ THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘A dramatic first-hand account… TITANIC survivor reveals the horrifying cries of the luxury liner’s dying victims’ THE DAILY MAIL
On April 14, 1912, John B. ‘Jack’ Thayer III the 17-year-old heir to a Pennsylvania railroad fortune, was riding in first class with his mother, father and their maid on the most spectacular ship of its era – the TITANIC.
Jack was one of only a handful of survivors who escaped by jumping into the freezing Atlantic as the TITANIC sank and spent the next five hours clinging onto the last lifeboat that was swept off the ship’s boat deck upturned. He barely survived the disaster, and his detailed and shocking account of that fateful night has riveted those he recounted it to in the following decades. Finally, in 1940, he wrote down what happened, printing 500 copies for his family. Five years later, after the tragic loss of his son in the Second World War, Jack Thayer committed suicide, and his story was mostly forgotten.
This new edition published in 2018 includes the historically important series of six drawings by Lewis Skidmore a young art teacher aboard the CARPATHIA (which saved the TITANIC survivors). Jack described to Lewis the stages of the TITANIC’S demise, which Skidmore drew. Critically it shows the ship breaking in two as she sank. Many survivors refuted this assessment but seventy years later Jack and others was proved right when the wreck was discovered resting on the seabed in two halves. It also includes other bonus material, Jack’s earlier, much shorter accounts of his amazing escape published in 1912 and 1913.
About the Author
John ‘Jack’ B. Thayer III, was born in Philadelphia on 24 December 1894 into the wealthy and aristocratic Thayer family. His father was John Thayer II who ran the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, his mother, socialite Marian Thayer. After surviving the disaster he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, served as an artillery officer in the First World War, went into banking and was later financial vice president of the University of Pennsylvania. He committed suicide on September 20, 1945 following several years of depression, he was found in a car in Philadelphia his throat and wrists cut. He was survived by his wife Lois Cassatt, son John, and three daughters, Lois, Julie and Pauline.
‘A dramatic first-hand account… TITANIC survivor reveals the horrifying cries of the luxury liner’s dying victims’ THE DAILY MAIL
On April 14, 1912, John B. ‘Jack’ Thayer III the 17-year-old heir to a Pennsylvania railroad fortune, was riding in first class with his mother, father and their maid on the most spectacular ship of its era – the TITANIC.
Jack was one of only a handful of survivors who escaped by jumping into the freezing Atlantic as the TITANIC sank and spent the next five hours clinging onto the last lifeboat that was swept off the ship’s boat deck upturned. He barely survived the disaster, and his detailed and shocking account of that fateful night has riveted those he recounted it to in the following decades. Finally, in 1940, he wrote down what happened, printing 500 copies for his family. Five years later, after the tragic loss of his son in the Second World War, Jack Thayer committed suicide, and his story was mostly forgotten.
This new edition published in 2018 includes the historically important series of six drawings by Lewis Skidmore a young art teacher aboard the CARPATHIA (which saved the TITANIC survivors). Jack described to Lewis the stages of the TITANIC’S demise, which Skidmore drew. Critically it shows the ship breaking in two as she sank. Many survivors refuted this assessment but seventy years later Jack and others was proved right when the wreck was discovered resting on the seabed in two halves. It also includes other bonus material, Jack’s earlier, much shorter accounts of his amazing escape published in 1912 and 1913.
About the Author
John ‘Jack’ B. Thayer III, was born in Philadelphia on 24 December 1894 into the wealthy and aristocratic Thayer family. His father was John Thayer II who ran the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, his mother, socialite Marian Thayer. After surviving the disaster he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, served as an artillery officer in the First World War, went into banking and was later financial vice president of the University of Pennsylvania. He committed suicide on September 20, 1945 following several years of depression, he was found in a car in Philadelphia his throat and wrists cut. He was survived by his wife Lois Cassatt, son John, and three daughters, Lois, Julie and Pauline.
30 pages, Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 31, 2020
This account of the sinking of the Titanic was written many years after the event by a man who survived the sinking as a teenager. Written for his children, it nevertheless remains a powerful narrative for us all. He recalls his brief stay on the ship, the almost unfelt collision, his last time he saw his father, his jumping from the ship, his encounter with others on a collapsible boat, and their being rescued by the Carpathia. This stirring memoir of that fateful day adds much to the legend and legacy of Titanic.
June 1, 2020
This eloquent and highly moving account tells the experience of 17-year-old Jack Thayer the night of the Titanic’s sinking. He offers a clear and careful description of his experiences, and although the account is very short, I found it to be quite worthwhile. Through it all, Thayer seems to have carried himself with dignity and tremendous grace under pressure. He wrote this memoir for his children, in memory of his father, who perished in the disaster.
August 5, 2016
John B "Jack" Thayer III could little count on what he would face in five days time when he boarded RMS Titanic in April 1912 Nor could he have imagined that he would walk away from a disaster fatherless. But it all happened and Thayer would come away from the disaster alive but perhaps not entirely unscathed.
Thayer's account, although short, is a must-read for every Titanic enthusiast. Although it does contain errors Thayer gives readers a glimpse into the life of first-class passengers' lives and deaths, reminding us of how fragile life is. He tells his story eloquently and with personal observations riddled throughout.
DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we have not received compensation for our book review of “The Sinking of the SS Titanic”.
reetchampionbookreviews.wordpress.com
Thayer's account, although short, is a must-read for every Titanic enthusiast. Although it does contain errors Thayer gives readers a glimpse into the life of first-class passengers' lives and deaths, reminding us of how fragile life is. He tells his story eloquently and with personal observations riddled throughout.
DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we have not received compensation for our book review of “The Sinking of the SS Titanic”.
reetchampionbookreviews.wordpress.com
June 3, 2024
I have read many Titanic books but not many by survivors. I think the only other survivor stories I read were Violet Jessop's memoir and Eva Hart's. One a crew member the otherva young child. So it was interesting to read an account from someone older and a passenger. This book looks solely at the sinking looking back several decades later written to be shared with family only. I'm glad it was published Jack Thayer was one of the few who correctly stated the ship broke in two, something that was a mystery until Robert Ballard made his discovery in the 80's. He also had the most amazing quote used in a few Titanic documentaries about how the world was calmer, more peaceful and stoic until it was jolted awake on April 15th 1912 and nothing has been the same since. Titanic was really the first major mass casualty event in modern times and was similar to 9/11, Pearl Harbour, JFK's assassination in that people knew where they were when they found out about it. My great grandmother could barely remember the names of her great grandchildren but she knew exactly what she was doing and where she was when she learned about the tragedy. This is truly a remarkable story and a must read for anyone wanting another survivor perspective on the loss of the great liner.
October 24, 2025
“It sounded like locusts on a midsummer night, in the woods in Pennsylvania” :((((((((((((
December 3, 2021
This was my first book that I have read that was actually written by a survivor of the titanic. It’s written to the point, without wandering down rumors and myths on the sinking. If you read this book you will only see the sinking trough the eyes of the author. Quick read!
February 26, 2024
Jack Thayer's life was a testament to resilience and tragedy. Surviving the Titanic at only 17, he later married and raised five children. Serving as an artillery officer in World War I, he witnessed two of his sons serve in World War II. However, tragedy struck when his pilot son was shot down in 1944. The loss of his mother, also a Titanic survivor, on the 32nd anniversary of the tragedy compounded his grief. Thayer fell into depression, ultimately and tragically taking his own life on September 20, 1945. His story reminds us of facing adversity and the importance of compassion in navigating life's darkest moments. Jack Thayer's legacy will endure, and he will never be forgotten.
"There was peace and the world had an even tenor to it's way... "
"It seems to me that the disaster about to occur was the event that not only made the world rub it's eyes and awake but woke it with a start keeping it moving at a rapidly accelerating pace ever since with less and less peace, satisfaction and happiness. To my mind the world of today awoke April 15th, 1912."
Jack Thayer's memoir is a visceral symphony of sorrow and survival, etched with the ink of anguish and adorned with the tears of a generation scarred by tragedy. With each turn of the page, I was swept back in time, where the echoes of screams mingled with the icy whispers of the Atlantic night.
In his recollections, Thayer paints a vivid picture of the fateful night aboard the Titanic.
'It was a brilliant, starry night,' he wrote. 'There was no moon and I have never seen the stars shine brighter; they appeared to stand right out of the sky, sparkling like cut diamonds.'
Through his words, I too felt the awe-inspiring beauty of the celestial canopy above, a stark contrast to the impending tragedy lurking beneath.
Thayer's reflection pierces the veil of complacency, stirring the soul and igniting a flame of remembrance that burns bright in the darkness of forgetfulness.
'I have spent much time on the ocean, yet I have never seen the sea smoother than it was that night; it was like a mill-pond, and just as innocent looking, as the great ship quietly rippled through it,' he recounted.
This evoked a sense of foreboding within me, as I grappled with the juxtaposition of serene surroundings and the impending catastrophe. It's a strong reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that even amidst tranquility, danger may lurk unseen.
"Occasionally there had been a muffled thud or deadened explosion within the ship...With the water rushing up toward us was accompanied by a rumbling roar, mixed with more muffled explosions. It was like standing under a steel railway bridge while an express train passes overhead, mingled with the noise of a pressed steel factory and wholesale breakage of china"
This description plunged me into a whirlpool of emotions, I felt as if I were alongside Jack fighting for survival. It struck a chord deep within, I felt the weight of history bearing down upon me.
Through Thayer's eyes, I witnessed the chaos and carnage unleashed upon the decks of the Titanic, where hope flickered like a dying ember in the unforgiving night. Yet, amidst the wreckage and despair, there emerged beautiful tales of heroism and sacrifice, testaments to the spirit of humanity in the face of insurmountable odds and human error.
Thayer's account of the Titanic disaster highlights the role of human error in exacerbating the tragedy. He astutely observes that had the ship struck the iceberg head-on, it might not have sunk, a sentiment shared by many maritime experts. This detail underscores the critical importance of split-second decisions and the devastating consequences of misjudgment in high-stakes situation.Thayer also talks about nearby ship the Californian, which failed to respond to the Titanic's distress signals promptly. Despite being within visible range, the Californian did not come to the Titanic's aid, a lapse in judgment that likely contributed to the loss of lives.
Thayer's memoir is a clarion call that reverberates through the corridors of time, reminding us of the fragility of life and the impermanence of our existence. It is a journey of sorrow and redemption, human resilience, of loss and survival, courage and compassion
Thayer's memoir is not just a story—it is a sacred ode to the souls lost at sea, a hymn of remembrance that echoes across the ages, ensuring that their legacy will endure for eternity.
I encourage you to embark on this emotional journey. Jack Thayer's account, which was once forgotten in time, stands as one of the utmost important narratives of the Titanic tragedy, its pages offering invaluable insights into an event that has reshaped history.
"There was peace and the world had an even tenor to it's way... "
"It seems to me that the disaster about to occur was the event that not only made the world rub it's eyes and awake but woke it with a start keeping it moving at a rapidly accelerating pace ever since with less and less peace, satisfaction and happiness. To my mind the world of today awoke April 15th, 1912."
Jack Thayer's memoir is a visceral symphony of sorrow and survival, etched with the ink of anguish and adorned with the tears of a generation scarred by tragedy. With each turn of the page, I was swept back in time, where the echoes of screams mingled with the icy whispers of the Atlantic night.
In his recollections, Thayer paints a vivid picture of the fateful night aboard the Titanic.
'It was a brilliant, starry night,' he wrote. 'There was no moon and I have never seen the stars shine brighter; they appeared to stand right out of the sky, sparkling like cut diamonds.'
Through his words, I too felt the awe-inspiring beauty of the celestial canopy above, a stark contrast to the impending tragedy lurking beneath.
Thayer's reflection pierces the veil of complacency, stirring the soul and igniting a flame of remembrance that burns bright in the darkness of forgetfulness.
'I have spent much time on the ocean, yet I have never seen the sea smoother than it was that night; it was like a mill-pond, and just as innocent looking, as the great ship quietly rippled through it,' he recounted.
This evoked a sense of foreboding within me, as I grappled with the juxtaposition of serene surroundings and the impending catastrophe. It's a strong reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that even amidst tranquility, danger may lurk unseen.
"Occasionally there had been a muffled thud or deadened explosion within the ship...With the water rushing up toward us was accompanied by a rumbling roar, mixed with more muffled explosions. It was like standing under a steel railway bridge while an express train passes overhead, mingled with the noise of a pressed steel factory and wholesale breakage of china"
This description plunged me into a whirlpool of emotions, I felt as if I were alongside Jack fighting for survival. It struck a chord deep within, I felt the weight of history bearing down upon me.
Through Thayer's eyes, I witnessed the chaos and carnage unleashed upon the decks of the Titanic, where hope flickered like a dying ember in the unforgiving night. Yet, amidst the wreckage and despair, there emerged beautiful tales of heroism and sacrifice, testaments to the spirit of humanity in the face of insurmountable odds and human error.
Thayer's account of the Titanic disaster highlights the role of human error in exacerbating the tragedy. He astutely observes that had the ship struck the iceberg head-on, it might not have sunk, a sentiment shared by many maritime experts. This detail underscores the critical importance of split-second decisions and the devastating consequences of misjudgment in high-stakes situation.Thayer also talks about nearby ship the Californian, which failed to respond to the Titanic's distress signals promptly. Despite being within visible range, the Californian did not come to the Titanic's aid, a lapse in judgment that likely contributed to the loss of lives.
Thayer's memoir is a clarion call that reverberates through the corridors of time, reminding us of the fragility of life and the impermanence of our existence. It is a journey of sorrow and redemption, human resilience, of loss and survival, courage and compassion
Thayer's memoir is not just a story—it is a sacred ode to the souls lost at sea, a hymn of remembrance that echoes across the ages, ensuring that their legacy will endure for eternity.
I encourage you to embark on this emotional journey. Jack Thayer's account, which was once forgotten in time, stands as one of the utmost important narratives of the Titanic tragedy, its pages offering invaluable insights into an event that has reshaped history.
September 10, 2022
I read this book as part of my plan to read more about the RMS Titanic in 2022 which I the 100th year since the sinking on 15th April 1912.
I have heard of John B "Jack" Thayer III from some of the other books I had read and this has been in my list for a whilst and it has now reached its time to be read.
The book is quite an account and you can honestly say that Jack had no idea what he would be facing in a few short days after boarding the Titanic. His account was written after the end and it does contain errors that have since been proven to be incorrect but it is still a must read for me and others like me who have an interest in the subject.
Jack wouldn’t have expected to have docked in New York on another ship and with his father being lost in the disaster. The book shows that he was not unscathed at all by the incident and it gives an insight into what he felt at the time and how he viewed it.
He was famous at the time for discussing how he saw the ship split in to two which was dismissed for so many years. Only to be proven that it did in fact do that and it lies now at the bottom in two main sections. His story also gives an insight into what it was like to travel in the grandeur of first class, and also that despite the money not everyone could be saved who travelled in that luxurious manner, it really was women and children first.
It is 4 stars from me for this one, it is a must read for fans of the Titanic – highly recommended!
I have heard of John B "Jack" Thayer III from some of the other books I had read and this has been in my list for a whilst and it has now reached its time to be read.
The book is quite an account and you can honestly say that Jack had no idea what he would be facing in a few short days after boarding the Titanic. His account was written after the end and it does contain errors that have since been proven to be incorrect but it is still a must read for me and others like me who have an interest in the subject.
Jack wouldn’t have expected to have docked in New York on another ship and with his father being lost in the disaster. The book shows that he was not unscathed at all by the incident and it gives an insight into what he felt at the time and how he viewed it.
He was famous at the time for discussing how he saw the ship split in to two which was dismissed for so many years. Only to be proven that it did in fact do that and it lies now at the bottom in two main sections. His story also gives an insight into what it was like to travel in the grandeur of first class, and also that despite the money not everyone could be saved who travelled in that luxurious manner, it really was women and children first.
It is 4 stars from me for this one, it is a must read for fans of the Titanic – highly recommended!
March 14, 2022
Having recently visited a Titanic exhibition, I saw a copy of this on display - a 17 year old survivor from the Titanic disaster tells his story. Moving in places, pragmatic in others - but following the exhibition, the fact that he survived is amazing in itself. A very quick read, read most of it in an evening (quicker than the Titanic took to sink but not much, and that is food for thought).
January 16, 2021
A fast read. Seems repetitive. Lacks many detai!s. Many better books on this tragedy available. Instead I recommend
A Night to Remember. More though account of this horrific night.
Weak & limited story.Also quite weakly written account. Find another book.
A Night to Remember. More though account of this horrific night.
Weak & limited story.Also quite weakly written account. Find another book.
November 15, 2022
A relatively short first-hand account of the Titanic disaster which effectively paints a picture of what it was like for passengers that night.
November 26, 2022
First Hand Account-years later
Through the lens of someone 30 years after the fact. Still powerful. My "cousin" was one of those who perished.
Through the lens of someone 30 years after the fact. Still powerful. My "cousin" was one of those who perished.
August 23, 2023
Great read
Great read a firsthand account of the Titanic and the sinking of a great ship. It is hard to visualize all that happened that night and the panic that all went through.
Great read a firsthand account of the Titanic and the sinking of a great ship. It is hard to visualize all that happened that night and the panic that all went through.
December 15, 2024
The Titanic.
A well written book with detail and description. You could follow in detail in your mind what was going on.
A well written book with detail and description. You could follow in detail in your mind what was going on.
December 2, 2025
Short and to the point. Tragic and sad.
December 29, 2022
Plucked from the Jaws of Death
This is a moving account by Jack Thayer, passenger on the doomed Titanic. Only 17 at the time of the sinking, Jack recounts his experiences on the night of April 15th after the ship struck an iceberg. Clinging to life on the bottom of an overturned lifeboat in the freezing ocean, Jack and the 20-odd folks with him pray for rescue. His first-hand account and matter-of-fact style puts the reader in the middle of everything.
A quick and easy read, it gives you a first-hand look into tragedy. Recommend!
This is a moving account by Jack Thayer, passenger on the doomed Titanic. Only 17 at the time of the sinking, Jack recounts his experiences on the night of April 15th after the ship struck an iceberg. Clinging to life on the bottom of an overturned lifeboat in the freezing ocean, Jack and the 20-odd folks with him pray for rescue. His first-hand account and matter-of-fact style puts the reader in the middle of everything.
A quick and easy read, it gives you a first-hand look into tragedy. Recommend!
March 15, 2010
This was combined in the same book as the Colonel Gracie's book, probably because Thayer's is short. But still a very important account of what happened. It was mainly written as a family record, in memory of Thayer's father who died in the disaster.
June 27, 2011
Though very short, it was a good and nerve-wrecking read. Straight to the point.
April 13, 2020
I particularly enjoyed reading John Borland Thayer III's account of his experience aboard the Titanic. He is my 2nd cousin 3 times removed. What a thrill!
May 14, 2012
A short book telling the story of a Titanic survivor and his experience. Powerful and sad
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews