main content Harold Bride (1890-1956)

58 Ravensbourne Avenue, Shortlands

After leaving school Bride trained as a Marconi operator, completing his training in July 1911. Against his parents wishes he went to sea soon after receiving his Certificate of Wireless Technology. His first ship was the Haverford, but he later sailed as a radio operator on the Beaverford, Lusitania and LaFrance.

Titanic left Southampton on her maiden voyage on 10 April 1912 carrying more than 2,200 passengers. Designed and manufactured by the White Star Company, the huge British luxury liner weighed approximately 46,000 tons. Built originally with enough lifeboat capacity for everyone on the ship, the boat deck seemed overcrowded so half were removed.

While the great ship was speeding towards New York, it struck an iceberg about 153km south of the great banks of Newfoundland, minutes before midnight on 14 April. Bride relayed messages to Captain Smith on the bridge regarding the progress of the Carpathia and other ships in the vicinity, while his colleague ‘Jack’ Phillips worked the key. One of the boats being lowered by passengers turned over as it hit the water. Bride and others managed to cling on to the hull of the upturned boat. Phillips died of exposure before rescue came.

The ship sank in less than 3 hours. People panicked and boats were not filled due to concerns about overcrowding. The result was that 1513 passengers perished in the freezing Atlantic Ocean waters. The California was relatively close, but did not respond to distress calls because the radio operator was off duty, asleep.

Harold Bride survived but suffered badly frozen and crushed feet. After a spell in hospital he returned to England in May a local hero. During the First World War he served on the steamer Mona’s Isle. Bride disliked discussing his Titanic experiences. In 1922 Bride left the family home at 58 Ravensbourne Avenue, Shortlands and moved to Scotland.