Cornelia Theodosia Andrews - Titanic First Class Passenger
Miss Cornelia Theodosia Andrews was a 63-year-old first class passenger, who was aboard Titanic with her sister, Mrs Anna Hogeboom, and their grown-up niece, Miss Gretchen Fiske Longley. Miss Andrews was in cabin D7 and was aboard Titanic to return to her home in Hudson, Columbia County, New York. Throughout history, her first name has sometimes been recorded as Kornelia, however, Cornelia appears to be the correct way to spell her name.
Cornelia Theodosia Andrews was born in Hudson on Sunday 12th August 1849 [Some sources incorrectly say 1848], to her parents Mr Robert Emmet Andrews and Mrs Matilda Fonda Andrews. Her father was described as a prominent Columbia County lawyer.
Miss Andrews grew up in and remained living in Hudson. By the time she sailed aboard Titanic, she had been involved with the board of trustees of the Hudson City Hospital for many years, and is said to have been in 1912, its Vice President. She was later noted to have been a leader in Hudson's society and charitable work.
Miss Andrews, her sister and niece had been travelling in Europe, and boarded Titanic to make their way home, at Cherbourg, France on 10th April 1912 [Some sources incorrectly say Southampton]. Aboard the ship they each occupied their own cabin, near to each other, at the forward end of the starboard side of the ship, close to the first class dining room.
At the time of the iceberg collision, Miss Andrews was in bed in her cabin. Soon after the collision she spoke to her sister and niece and noticed that what she described as ice crystals had come in through the porthole near their cabins, which were located above the area of ship which had collided with the iceberg. Initially they were told by the stewards that there was no danger, and they returned to their cabins, only to be told a little while later they should put on their life preservers and go up on deck.
It appears Miss Andrews and her relatives were not quick to evacuate the ship, eventually, having waited for space for them all, leaving the port side of the ship in Lifeboat 10, which was one of the last lifeboats to be lowered away.
The occupants of Lifeboat 10, including Miss Andrews and her family, were safely rescued by Cunard Line's RMS Carpathia in the morning. She was later critical of some the men in the lifeboat who were unable to row.
Aboard Carpathia, Miss Andrews refused to take up space, which could be used by others, in a cabin and slept within the ship's library.
Cornelia Andrews died at her home in Hudson, New York, on 4th December 1913, caused by Lobar pneumonia. She was buried alongside her parents within Hudson City Cemetery.
Related pages - Titanic's First Class Passengers, All Titanic Pages