Frank Oliver Evans: Titanic sailor who witnessed tragedy and survival

Frank Oliver Evans: Titanic sailor who witnessed tragedy and survival

I have been trying to learn more about the people who were on board the Titanic. I wanted to try and find out a little about their stories, so let me tell you about one crew member, Frank Oliver Evans.

He was born on the 15th of May 1884 in Naphill, Buckinghamshire and he was one of twelve children. In 1899 at just fifteen, he joined the Royal Navy. He moved between ships such as HMS Victory and HMS Formidable even travelling as far as Gibraltar. Although he was described as capable, he was also known to get into a little trouble. Records suggest he was arrested at least three times for minor offences. 

After leaving the navy in 1907, he joined the Merchant Navy, working on ships including RMS Olympic. By April 1912, he had signed on as an able seaman aboard the Titanic. When Titanic hit the iceberg, he was below deck. He was ordered to help prepare the lifeboats, He was eventually directed into Lifeboat 10.

He witnessed the ship break apart- an image that must have stayed with him forever. Later that night, under the leadership of Harold Lowe, he returned in Lifeboat 14 to search for survivors. Facing the freezing water and the sight of those who had not made it, Evans admitted he could not bring himself to look too closely. 

He was rescued, alongside the other survivors by the RMS Carpathia, and he later gave testimony about what he had seen. He continued to serve at sea during both the World War I and World War II, eventually becoming a quartermaster. 

He rarely spoke about Titanic and he died on the 19th of May 1952 in Middlesex at the age of 68 and was buried in an unmarked grave.