Titanic Survivor: The Newly Discovered Memoirs of Violet Jessop Who Survived Both the Titanic and Britannic Disasters

by Violet Jessop, John Maxtone-Graham (Editor)

After a childhood in Argentina and formative years in England,
Violet Jessop spent her entire career at sea. She was a stewardess for first-class passengers on the Titanic and she wrote an absolutely unique eyewitness account on the most written about disaster of our time. Four years later, Violet was a nurse onboard the hospital ship Britannic when it struck a mine and sank to the bottom of the Aegean. But Titanic Survivor is much more. A unique autobiography for those who want to know how it really felt, a story that could be told only by a Titanic Survivor.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Biography, Historical, Survival, Autobiography

238 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 1997

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical when first approaching this book, because seeing as it was republished in '97 the whole Leonardo Dicaprio Titanic thing was in full swing, so I was thinking that possibly the producers would manipulate the memoir to serve as a promotional tool (I know, my mind works in strange ways).

Thankfully I was wrong. The memoir barely concerns itself with the Titanic (as you read it, you quickly discover you're reading about Violet Jessop's life at sea, not the great unsinkable), devoting little more than a chapter to it. So if your interested in her first hand account of the Titanic, you could probably read that section in 5 minutes and then be done with the book.

BUT, if want to read it for its literary merits, then I would highly recommend it. The way Violet describes childhood illnesses, moving across continents, and life at sea makes you feel like your having a conversation with her, which is what any good memoir aims for. Despite the 80-year time difference, the book is highly readable and you can appreciate the Jessop's humor.

The only complaint I would have about the book is the editor's notes. While at times helpful to decipher early 20th century grammar and sayings, they tend to be redundant and serve no other purpose than to get annoyed at the editor. Actually better yet, ignore the editor. Many of the material is self-evident anyway, and if it isn't, then you can refer to the editor.

And seeing as it's a short book, this could be a good light read on a plane, or bedside reading. Definitely recommend it.

[Deanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most amazing thing about this story is Violet Jessop, not only was she on board the Titanic sank but she was also on the Britannic 4 years later as a nurse. She was also on the third ship the Olympic when it collided with another ship.
She sounds like a fascinating woman, who after a long hard life had a great deal of experience.
Have to admit though if I was about to go on a cruise I'd make sure she wasn't on board.

[Diana R. Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

So... it’s kind of slow. It’s very detailed and you get a picture of what life was like on these big ships for the crew but it... was... slow. If you are a titanic fan then go for it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank God. Thank God she survived not one, not two, but three ship wrecks. When I listen to her describe the sinking of the Titanic while she watched from a boat bobbing in the water next to it, it gives me a whole different perspective than just what writers write about it. She also introduces you to her people on board these ships and you can finally connect with the people who LIVED on these ships. These ships were their homes.
But the description of the sinking of the Britannic is what is horrifying to read. How she ever got back on a ship after Titanic is a wonder, but after the Britannic, you KNOW this woman loved the sea. Loved her job. Loved to travel.
Don't be fooled by the title. She was definitely a Titanic Survivor, but the story here is about her life. Titanic is just part of it. You get to know her from childhood until she passes away in old age. I am a wonder that she survived childhood. She must have contracted every known disease there was to get! You meet her siblings, her parents, the people in hospitals and schools that shape her life. She is one of the most optimistic people I've ever read about.
And there is the story of her and Ned. Well, I won't tell you more than that.
There is also her first person account on how bad of a job it was, to work on these cruise ships. The living conditions for her and the crew were stark to say the least. The demands of the rich and famous that she attended shows how as humans, we never look beyond our own pleasure, to how that pleasure affects others. I can't determine if she did or didn't like Americans. She surely had her opinion as to how crass she thought they were. Sometimes she sounded like the snob instead of the guests on board ship! One thing is for sure is she was really good at her job. First class stewardess.
I would have liked to meet this woman and talked to her. This is the story that would make a great Hollywood movie.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasure to read! This is the memoir of a remarkable woman who neither altered history nor achieved fame and fortune, but rather worked hard, was kind to all, and made the best of life along the way.

Jessop was born in Argentina to Irish immigrants and later immigrated to England with her mother and siblings after her father died. Her widowed mother was unable to make ends meet for herself and this prompted Violet to ultimately put her own educational goals aside and step up to become a stewardess on a large transatlantic ocean liner to help her family financially. This was the beginning of her life at sea, where she worked primarily as a stewardess to 1st class passengers on some of the finest passenger ships in history. It was of course, not all wonderful work, especially during her first service when she contracts malaria, is almost sexually assaulted, finds unrequited love, and is fired because she refuses the advances of the married captain who in anger disparages her competence.

Of course, what makes her story so special was that the author spent 42 years at sea from 1908 to 1950, and survived not only the sinking of the Titanic, where she was told to enter a lifeboat to set a good example for others hesitant to board, but also escaped death when the Titanic's sister ship, Britannic, a luxury liner converted into a hospital ship during WWI aboard which Violet served a nurse, sank after striking a mine off the coast of Greece. This escape was far more harrowing than when the Titanic sank and Violet sustained a bone piercing thigh wound that took a year to heal and fractured her skull (which went untreated) while diving out of a lifeboat in the nick of time just before being chopped to bits by the ship's massive propellers.

The title is a little misleading as very little of the book focuses on the sinking of the Titanic. However, I didn't mind - there are plenty of books on Titanic, and Jessop doesn't even have all of her facts straight about its sinking.

Most of her stories were entertaining and some were just heartbreaking, but Violet Jessop told her story the way she wanted to, and I have much admiration for her. I was also charmed by the photos included in the book, including the cache pots in her garden she picked up during her voyages to the Far East. This is a great book if you are interested in the "downstairs" world of ocean liners from Edwardian times to 1950. It's also a great book if you are interested in what life was like for a woman who spent most of her life at sea at a time where there were few career women of any sort.

[joyce g · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very fond of all thing’s Titanic. Violet was quite a remarkable person and it was so interesting reading her story.

[Pamela King · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was about to stop reading when the Titanic hit the iceberg. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the story or that the Titanic tragedy was only a tiny part, it was because of the constant editor’s comments within the text of Violet’s manuscript. It was like someone was constantly interrupting a person relating an experience with constant corrections, adding in their own 2 cents worth and showing off their knowledge.

Violet’s story is not limited to her life as a stewardess on cruise ships. She begins her story with growing up in Argentina then moving to England with her mother and siblings following the death of her father.

Her life spans a period I love to read about, and I found her story fascinating. I am very disappointed the ‘interruptions’ spoilt it.

My rating is 2*. It would have been higher if not for the editor’s comment and I had been able to finish the book.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a tad disappointed :(

Even though Violet Jessop is one interesting and amazing woman detailing her life from childhood into adulthood and her experiences as an ocean liner stewardess and nurse aboard both the RMS Titanic and the HMHS Britannic in 1912 and 1916 respectively, as well as the RMS Olympic collision on October 20, 1910.

But there was not enough about the Titanic for my liking especially as the book is advertised as being about the Titanic. Her recall of the Britannic was more detailed.

Also what was up with the editor adding his own notes throughout the different chapters? Very distracting and made the reading very disjointed.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went to a book stall, saw four books on the Titanic, and was persuaded after a promise of a deal to grab all four up. The seller told me after I decided to buy them, "Good, a woman who knows her mind." And so, that's how I got to reading the memoirs of Violet Jessop ;)

It was the part about the Titanic that I wanted to read of her life, but since only two chapters are actually about the Titanic, I can see why it's considered a memoir. It's about a stewardess with struggles and feelings and heartaches as she grows up and enters the sailing world. The tale of her love for Ned was heartbreaking, and the way she described things made me realize she was a woman who took pleasure in beautiful things.

This book is still disjointed because you don't always have the flow of time passing, and the style of writing is unique. I also found the editor's notes a little annoying, although insightful too. All in all I would have preferred to read the book without interruption.

It's a surprisingly carefully written book, with twice mentions to attempted assaults (written extremely discreetly with really no details, but still disturbing). There are a couple "words" throughout, and several mentions to people being drunk. One mentioned event toward the end showed the shameless behavior of what drinking can cause.

I liked the straight-forward way in which Violet wrote about the sinking of the Titanic. Some interesting events there, and I so wished to see more of her time spent on that "unsinkable" ship. Violet Jessop was an independent, beautiful woman who persevered through two ship sinkings, and a war. More than forty years of her life was spent on the sea. She definitely seems like an adventurous woman!

This was an interesting book, one I would recommend to adult readers who enjoy true stories, especially involving the Titanic :)

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Violet Jessop was a cabin steward in many different cruise ships during the early 20th century, taking over after her mother was no longer able to do the same work. However, there were very few women who did this job at the time. Violet survived not only the Titanic sinking, but also when the Britannic sank during the war.

This was ok. There wasn’t nearly as much about the Titanic as I’d hoped. I do normally like biographies/memoirs, as well, but I just didn’t find this one all that interesting. And I’ve done cruises, so that is often interesting to me, as well. I just didn’t find her writing interesting, unfortunately. John Maxtone-Graham was the editor of Violet’s writings and he did interject tidbits of info and speculation into the book, and that didn’t bother me at all, but in the ebook it was sometimes hard to tell when it was Violet’s words or his; italics or square brackets of some other indicator would have been nice.

I wondered at times if she was making some of it up, to be honest. One thing that made me think that was repetition of common things (that were apparently incorrect, like musicians playing “Nearer My God to Thee”) that have been said. She also used pseudonyms for some people, which is fine, but the editor mentioned at one point that he wondered if some of the passengers mentioned were mashes (my word, not his – can’t recall the word/phrase he used) of multiple people Overall – ok, but I’m not sure this should be at the top of anyone’s Titanic reading list.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously, how many times can you be on a ship that sinks? This is the diary of a woman who was a ship stewardess and gives an interesting look at the world at that time. One bit that fascinated me was that she learned when the Titanic sank how much she missed her toothbrush after they were rescued. The next time she was on a sinking ship, she got her toothbrush before she went to the lifeboats. Isn't that so typical of life...it's the little details that seem to get you.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this biography, but I knew before I read it that the memoirs were of her whole life, not just of the four days she worked on the Titanic. I can understand that promoting this book as if it is all about the Titanic would leave some people disappointed.

Violet Jessop was cursed to live an interesting life.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought in a second hand bookstore that was sadly closing down, this book immediately caught my eye as I walked in. It was in the ship section of the store, which just so happened to be in the front of the store or else I wouldn't have seen it. I admit to finding my favorite sections first in stores, never even looking at things like cars, ships etc because the other sections seem more important. This was a good deviation from habit!

If you're looking for a book on surviving the Titanic, then look elsewhere. That is dealt with in a single chapter, and the rest of the book recounts Violet's life as a stewardess. It has some interesting stories, and I liked Violet's simple retelling. It has been edited a little, and the coauthor puts in 2 cents occasionally, but for the better I think. A great book that shouldn't have taken me so long to read, except for work and watching a season of Supernatural then True Blood over the weekend.

Recommended for those curious about life at sea and the time period, but not so much the aspects of Titanic. Four stars.

[Cathy Les · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. The narrative was so choppy and she didn't give details about her experiences in the Titanic sinking or as a VAD. She was a bit better in her description of the Britannic sinking. And the "explanations" by the editor were nearly all annoying - put it in a footnote or your own chapter please.

[NJB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this memoir of the turn of the 20th century life of a working class stewardess & nurse. Her story starts with her childhood riddled with illnesses & proceeds to tell what life onboard luxury liners of the early 20th century was like for employees. I expected the book to be just about surviving the disasters, but it was much more.

[TE · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is a bit of a misnomer, as only a small portion of this otherwise fascinating account actually concerns the Titanic disaster. This unique narrative is really one of a kind, however: it recounts the fascinating, albeit sometimes tragic, but often triumphant life of Violet Jessop, the oldest child of an Irish couple, whose life would still be worth remembering, even if she wasn't a survivor of both the Titanic and Britannic disasters, which first piqued the interest of maritime historians, who saw the value in her memoirs.

The fortuitous survival of this manuscript provides a vital contribution to the "history from below" -type account of life aboard ship, especially that of a working class stewardess in the early twentieth century. Importantly, Violet wrote her own life story, back in 1934, when she had apparently submitted it for a literary competition, under the pseudonym Constance Ransom. She was still apparently concerned with her privacy, still as an employee of the shipping line. She continued to work on her manuscript over the years, however, filling it further with her own unique stories and anecdotes. Her two nieces approached a maritime publisher in 1997, many years after Violet's death, to see if they would then be interested in publishing it.

Almost magically, it landed in the hands of an editor who had a personal connection to Violet: his mother had been one of "her passengers," back in the 1920s, during a crossing on White Star's "Majestic," and had spent many hours listening to Violet's incredible tales of survival, first as an invalid child, and then as a disaster survivor. As his mother had spent much of the voyage ill, Violet had taken particularly good care of her, likely because of her own near-death experiences growing up as a frail and sickly child, having survived multiple (almost an unbelievable number, really) brushes with death. The editor's mother had told him about her, and he actually visited her once, in 1970, at her lovely retirement cottage in Suffolk. He had been searching for Titanic survivors for his own book, and was immediately enamored with Violet, finding her a sharp and witty storyteller, even in old age.

Born to Irish parents, Violet was actually born in Argentina: her parents had immigrated shortly before her birth. First living in a small house with dirt floors, a succession of children followed, only about half of which survived their first few precarious years, mostly succumbing to a plethora of lethal diseases, including scarlet fever (of which Violet's beloved younger brother, whom she remembered well, died), diphtheria, meningitis, smallpox, and tuberculosis. Violet herself contracted several of these diseases, barely surviving them. Her father did not: he died when she was still a teenager, leaving a wife and six surviving children. The family made their way back to England, but were forced to separate, the four boys ending up in a Catholic children's home while their mother worked at sea, while Violet and her younger sister lived essentially on their own, until Violet came of age and decided that she likewise would follow her mother's example and go to sea.

What follows is an account of Violet's 42-year career at sea, where she remained until her retirement in her early 60s. Her adventures as a world traveler began in 1908, when she worked the southern route from Europe to South America. After spurning the advances of a sea captain, however, and with little recourse, as was the case for many women in her position at that time, Violet was dismissed from one company, but was able to procure employment with, in her estimation, a less desirable company, the White Star Line, which did the Europe-North America (New York) run, crossing the tempestuous North Atlantic with some of the most affluent (read: demanding) passengers in the world. It was with this company that Violet was involved in not one, but THREE major incidents: the sinking of both the Titanic and Britannic, and the collision of the Olympic, which could also have resulted in serious loss of life.

I won't spoil Violet's riveting account of her experiences aboard the Titanic, other than to state that her story is riveting. It was, after all, her episode aboard that doomed ship that went down in history, that the editor first took an interest in her, and sought her out for an interview. It was not until decades later that her memoirs came to light, and eventually, to publication. The material about the war(s) is also fascinating, yet again demonstrating one person's strength of will, and to do what it took to survive unimaginable hardship, in that case, alongside others who had to muster the same courage and fortitude.

Overall, this is a fascinating and engaging yarn, composed by a master storyteller, one which reveals the strength of the human spirit and the will to overcome unimaginable hardship. It also provides a window into a lost world, in the completely unique account of the life of a hardworking stewardess employed on the great ocean liners in the early 20th century, when it is often assumed that middle-class women such as Violet had little opportunity aside from marriage and family. However, this incredible soul forged a life all her own, despite unceasing challenges: from her many near-death experiences as a child, to being a woman on her own, which presented its own dangers (Violet recounts something many women of the day experienced, sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation, even in early childhood, which continued throughout adulthood, even by some of her shipmates), and survival of not one but two world famous maritime disasters, this book tells the story of a vibrant and determined soul who lived her life her way, inspiring many others in the process.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although badly misnamed I'm kind of glad it is. If this book hadn't had the word Titanic in it my dad on one of his work trips to Southern Ontario would have passed it by during his many trips to all the used bookstores he visited and I never would've read it and learned about the life of thus fascinating lady Violet Jessop. I read this probably back when it came out in the late 90's. Don't remember much except when her and her brother found a pile of partially burned clothing and tried them on only for them to become ill with the illness that killed the unfortunate soul who originally owned the clothes, her little brother succumbed to the illness she survived. I also vaguely remembered her romance with Ned though I couldn't remember his name only that they sat on a crocodile thinking it was a log. Otherwise I had a few vague memories of various ports of call but not much else and that Violet's life seemed a dream life for someone like me who would love to see the world but with little income to do so. Her story begins in Argentina where Violet is often seriously ill to the point where the doctors basically say she's only got months left. Consider she lived to over 80 I'd say that she beat the odds. After her father's death the family returns to England where her mother goes to work on ships. Violet dreams if becoming a teacher or nurse as she thrives in a convent school. Her mother's illness ends her career dreams and following in her mother's footsteps Violet heads out for sea. Here she encounters everything from sexism, to eccentric characters, to close companions, would be suitors, lucrative job offers and one unrequited love as well as being part of one of the most famous ship wreck in history and two other wrecks not as famous, one because it caused minimal damage to the ship (Olympic and Hawke collision) the other shrouded in war time secrecy (Britannic). This read was just an engaging and fascinating the second time around. It was the book that introduced me to the writings of John Maxtone Graham which I've enjoyed. However his interjections throughout this book were at times annoying and interrupted the narrative in a jarring way. I mean most people reading this probably know enough about Titanic to know there was no moon that night among other things he butted in to mention. But other than that it still held up and Violet Jessop is definitely someone I would've loved to have met and had a cup of tea with while listening to the many stories she had to tell.

[Luís Castilho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Violet Jessop was an ocean liner stewardess and nurse who achieved wordwide fame by surviving the disastrous sinkings of both the RMS Titanic and the HMHS Britannic in 1912 and 1916 respectively, as well as RMS Olympic collision on October 20, 1910. The book Titanic Survivor contains some passages of Violet Jessop memoir written in 1934, originally named Neptune's Greenroom. Violet Jessop life story is indeed a mesmerizing one and makes up for an amazing tale of endurance and survival. In addition to describing to great detail Jessop's life at sea, the book also regards Jessop's childhood in Argentina where she was born to an Irish immigrant family and soon contracted a disease that deemed her incapacitated for several months on an Argentinian hospital with no hopes of recovery, waiting for certain death. In what can only be interpreted as an harbinger of what her life would become, Jessop miraculously survived and was able to return to England with her family. Initially set out to live the life of nun, Jessop decided to apply for a ocean liner stewardess position for Royal Mail in order to be able to help her mother financially. Until this point in her memoir, her writing is very vivid and detailed, making for a very grasping read. Unfortunately, the fact that some of following chapters of Violet Jessop memoir were written at an older age, years after the events took place, really start to show, specially on her account of her experiences while working in the RMS Titanic and the HMHS Britannic and the disastrous singings that followed. One cannot but feel somewhat let down by the lackluster description of these events, more so given that her account of those voyages constitute for the average reader the main reason to buy the book in the first place. Furthermore, the last chapters of the book contain very personal diary accounts of her love life and family that should not interest the general public. All and all a very disappointing book.

[Ashley K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could hardly put this book down. What a find to come across in a secondhand bookshop!

Of course, what drew me to this book is that Violet Jessop survived not only the sinking of the Titanic, but also the sinking of her sister ship, the Britannic, when it hit a naval mine in WWI (not to mention a less serious collision on the third sister ship, the Olympic, in 1911, which did not result in sinking or loss of life), all when she was a young woman. Despite these tragedies, she continued working for the ill-fated White Star Line for another decade and didn't retire from her career as an ocean liner stewardess until her sixties.

What surprised me is that the other parts of her life story were nearly as interesting as the parts centered on maritime disasters. Born in 1880s Argentina to sheep farmers, she and her many siblings endured numerous maladies (smallpox, diphtheria, tuberculosis, to name a few); Violet herself was so sick with TB as a child that doctors predicted her imminent death. I found her love life refreshingly unconventional for the period: unable to be with the man she considered her one true love (whom I considered a manipulative rascal), she chose to remain unattached despite ample opportunity to marry into a more comfortable lifestyle.

I am so glad that she wrote these memoirs and that her family had them published. Reading this was a real treat.

[Chrissy Shea Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written in 1934 when it was denied publication. Jessop had been interviewed by Maxton-Grahm in 1970 when she told her story for a piece he was writing. Years after her death (1971) her nieces discovered this manuscript and worked to get it published. They worked decades with Maxton-Grahm to introduce, edit and annotate the work to make it publishable over 60 years after it was written (1997).

Maxton-Grahm explains that he fills in some missing information that Jessop may have assumed people understood or just knew. But it starts when she was a small child (born in 1887) in Argentina (moved there from England).

For someone that survived multiple shipwrecks this is a very detailed book about ship life. Keep in mind that this is a memoir of her life, not just the Titanic. The title is a bit misleading. But overall, it is very interesting even if slow (it was very easy to put down).

[Donna Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was keen to read this book having presumed it was based around her time on the Titanic, I was a little disappointed that such a small proportion of the book was about the Titanic itself. The writing I also felt was a little disjointed. However it was still a really interesting read, and gave a great insight into the life of the crew aboard the liners.
Victoria Jessop was young when she joined the crew on her first ship and she spent much of her life at sea. The book is a memoir of her life from childhood through to her time at sea, including some of the incidents that she experienced. She worked as stewardess, surviving the near crash on the Olympic, the sinking of the Titanic and then four years later the Brittanic where she worked as a nurse.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Violet Jessops memoirs about her childhood and years in England most interesting, but became a bit bored once the story turned to her life as a stewardess on a variety of passenger ships. The parts relating to the sinking of the Titanic and Britannic were the most interesting parts of those times in her life, but that was really only a very small part of the book. Overall not a bad read but wouldn't be bothered to re read again.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very scary memoir of a cruise-ship stewardess who survived the sinking of the Titanic, and then went on to -- barely -- survive the sinking of the Britannic. This features an enjoyable, very British kind of understatement and stuffiness. Should prove to be a great deterrent for starry-eyed young women wanting to work on a passenger liner.

[Kesslee Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a school project, so it was very helpful! This book is very wordy book but the words are helpful when you trying to write a 10 minute paper on someone! Which was the scenario for me! 🤪 this is a breath taking life on someone who obviously didn’t have any adrenaline! Over all 4 out of five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[John Neilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. Not bogged down with historical details or debate over finer points of events as they happened.
It gives a vivid insight into life at the turn of that century. From a child’s point and on to adulthood.
Also describes the harsh conditions that the ship staff endured and the lack of respect given them by the big shipping companies at the time.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Random discount book I picked up that had the most amazing true story about a woman who worked on (and survived) all 3 great ocean liners. Surprisingly, the story remains intriguing even after her years of service on the ships. Loved the eerie ending.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a stewardess on Ocean Liners from 1908 to 1950, who survived both the Titanic and Brittanic disasters. The book is more about her life on the ships , rather than about her surviving the disasters. They were only a few chapters in the book.

[Enid Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really captivates Violet Jessops incredible story. Reading what she said about her life is both exiting and emotional. Give this book a read and you’ll have a new favourite! Five stars from me and praise towards the author.

[Deanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intersting account of life on board ship in the Edwardian times. Recently heard that the moment the Titanic sank the white star line stopped paying the crew.

[Michael Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story, but couldn’t get over John Graham’s interruptions and mansplaining of Violet’s passages.