She Survived 3 Ship Sinkings But It Didn't Stop Her

Summary

Violet Jessup, known as 'Miss Unsinkable,' survived three shipwrecks, including the Titanic and Britannic disasters. Born in 1887, she grew up with hardship, caring for her siblings and later following her mother’s footsteps as a stewardess. Her career on luxury liners led her through the infamous Titanic collision in 1912, where she saved a baby amidst chaos. After surviving the Britannic's sinking in 1916, Violet continued working at sea for years. Her incredible survival against the odds, including a mysterious phone call about the Titanic baby, earned her a legacy of resilience and bravery.

Takeaways

• 😀 Violet Jessup survived three major shipwrecks: the *Olympic*, the *Titanic*, and the *Britannic*.
• 😀 Violet's childhood was marked by hardship, having to care for her eight younger siblings while dealing with her own serious illness.
• 😀 Despite initial rejections due to her youth and beauty, Violet eventually became a stewardess after presenting herself as ready for hard work.
• 😀 In 1910, Violet began working on the *Olympic*, one of the most luxurious ships of its time, and experienced a collision with the British cruiser *Hawk*.
• 😀 Violet continued working after surviving the *Olympic* collision, undeterred by the incident that left a massive hole in the ship.
• 😀 In 1912, Violet boarded the *Titanic* and was on board when the ship struck an iceberg, contributing to the evacuation efforts and saving a baby during the disaster.
• 😀 After the *Titanic* sank, Violet was rescued by the *Carpathia* and later wondered about the true identity of the child she saved.
• 😀 In 1916, Violet joined the *Britannic* as a nurse and survived a third shipwreck when the ship hit an underwater mine and sank rapidly.
• 😀 After jumping into the cold water and narrowly escaping the ship's spinning propellers, Violet suffered a skull fracture, which doctors later confirmed saved her life.
• 😀 Violet worked at sea for nearly 42 years before retiring in 1950, but her career was marked by a strange phone call in which someone asked about the baby she saved on the *Titanic*.

Q & A

Who was Violet Jessup?

Violet Jessup, known as 'Miss Unsinkable,' was a woman who survived three major shipwrecks, including the Titanic disaster, and continued to work on cruise liners as a stewardess.

What were the circumstances of Violet Jessup's early life?

Violet Jessup had a challenging childhood, growing up as the oldest of nine children. She had to take care of her siblings while also dealing with a serious illness that doctors believed she wouldn't survive.

How did Violet Jessup end up working as a stewardess?

Violet followed in her mother's footsteps, who worked as a stewardess. Despite being young and considered too attractive to be hired, Violet persisted and finally got a job after showing up to an interview in her worst clothes, demonstrating her readiness for hard work.

What was the first major accident Violet Jessup experienced while working on a ship?

Violet's first major accident occurred in 1911 when the ship she was aboard, the Olympic, collided with the British military cruiser Hawk. Although the ship suffered a huge hole, both ships stayed afloat, and Violet wasn't injured.

What happened when Violet Jessup boarded the Titanic?

Violet Jessup boarded the Titanic in April 1912. On the fourth day of the voyage, the Titanic struck an iceberg. Violet was involved in the evacuation process and helped save a baby during the disaster before being rescued by the Carpathia.

Why was Violet Jessup given the task of boarding a lifeboat during the Titanic disaster?

Violet was ordered to board a lifeboat to demonstrate to other women that it was safe to do so. She later found herself holding a baby, which she kept warm until she was rescued.

What unusual event occurred after Violet Jessup survived the Titanic disaster?

After the Titanic disaster, Violet received a mysterious late-night phone call in which a woman asked if she had saved a baby on the Titanic. The caller laughed and hung up without further explanation, and Violet had never previously shared the story of saving the baby.

What happened to Violet Jessup during the Britannic disaster?

In 1916, Violet was aboard the Britannic when it hit an underwater mine. The ship sank quickly, and Violet jumped into the water, narrowly escaping the ship's propellers. She was later rescued but suffered a skull fracture from hitting her head during the ordeal.

How did Violet Jessup survive three shipwrecks?

Violet Jessup survived three shipwrecks—the Olympic collision, the Titanic sinking, and the Britannic explosion—by remaining calm and resourceful in each situation, often helping others while ensuring her own safety.

What was the significance of Violet Jessup's career after surviving three shipwrecks?

Despite surviving three shipwrecks, Violet Jessup continued to work on cruise liners until 1950, demonstrating incredible resilience. Her career included serving on the luxury liner Belgian Land, and she retired after 42 years at sea.