Real Stories of the Titanic
Since there were not that many Dutch nationals (only 3) on board of the Titanic (I'm not sure why, perhaps most travelled on Dutch ships, perhaps there just weren't that many Dutch immigrants leaving for America at the time), researching their stories is probably a little easier than most. Although only one of them was technically a passenger, they were actually an excellent representation of the 3 different classes on board of the Titanic. I'm posting this article for anyone interested in the real stories of the Titanic:
"It is well known that the Titanic had many casualties when it collided with an iceberg during its maiden voyage and sank. Less well-known is that three Dutchmen were also on board of this ship, which was known as 'unsinkable'. George Reuchlin traveled as a first class passenger, Hendrik Bolhuis worked as a cook in second class and Wessel van der Brugge was one of the stokers/firemen. None of them survived the disaster.
George Reuchlin was born on December 6, 1874 and thus was 37 years old during the voyage on the Titanic. He was not aboard the ship without reason: he was invited by the White Star Line as a representative of the Holland-America Line, the shipping company of which he was co-director. Actually, the White Star Line had invited general manager Wierdsma, but because he was celebrating his brass wedding during the period of the voyage, he decided not to go and Reuchlin took his place. Reuchlin said goodbye to his wife and children on April 8, 1912, two days before the departure of the Titanic. He traveled from his hometown of Rotterdam by train to Hoek van Holland, from there took the night ferry to Harwich and then traveled via London to Southampton, where the ship was to depart. He went on board on April 10 and wrote two more letters there, which have been preserved and can be viewed regularly at exhibitions. He also sent a postcard to his eldest son Henri, who was then six years old ("Don't you think this is a beautiful boat with four chimneys? This is the largest ship in the world. The rooms on this ship are three times the size of the drawing room at our home. A kiss from your father for you and for Maarten.") On Sunday evening 14 April 1912 he sent his last messages by telegram to his wife and to the captain of a Holland-America Line ship. Just hours after sending his last telegram, the Titanic collided with the iceberg.
The first days after the disaster, there was uncertainty about what had happened to Reuchlin. There were reports that all passengers were safely on the rescue ship the Carpathia, others reported that Reuchlin's name was not on the list of rescued passengers. It was only when the Carpathia arrived in New York on Thursday evening, April 18, that it became clear that Reuchlin hadn't survived the journey.
All flags at the office of the Holland-America Line and on all of the ships were then flown at half-mast for a week. Because George Reuchlin was known, he was after all co-director of the Holland-America Line, various newspapers reported about his death and his wife Atie received several letters. Even Queen Emma had a personal message written to the family. George Reuchlin's body was never found."
Pictures of Reuchlin and his family:
http://www.genealogybos.com/engels_patriciaat/Reuchlin/george_reuchlin_en_agatha_elink_schuurman.jpg
http://www.genealogybos.com/engels_patriciaat/Reuchlin/agathe_en_george_met_henri_en_carolina.jpg
And the postcard he sent his son Henri:
https://www.rides.nl/images/items/5047/45163.800.jpg
https://www.rides.nl/images/items/5047/45164.800.jpg