Harold Lowe

The only officer to return to the sinking Titanic in search of survivors.

Born:

21 NOV 1882

Place of Birth:

Deganwy

School:

Barmouth Intermediate School

"Looking towards the spot from which the voice came I saw a young man about six foot, very slender and sinewy. His face was clear cut and of the fine British red. He had keen, deep set, merry black eyes." Description of Lowe by a rescued passenger. Harold Lowe

Trivia:

Harold Lowe was portrayed by Ioan Gruffydd in the Oscar-winning film, Titanic - at least Hollywood cast a Welsh actor, even if he wasn't from the North West!

Biography:

Fifth Officer Harold Lowe was among the very few sailors on the stricken Titanic who rowed back to the sinking ship in search of survivors.

Harold Lowe was the third of eight children, born to George and Harriet Lowe. His father had ambitions for him to be apprentice to a successful Liverpool businessman, but Harold Lowe was determined to go to sea. At 14 he left his home in Barmouth and joined the merchant navy, serving along the West African Coast and joining the White Star company in 1911.

In April 1912 Harold Lowe was appointed Fifth Officer aboard the brand new Titanic, on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. On the fateful night he'd been fast asleep in his cabin, before the shouting and running footsteps alerted him to the impending danger. Officer Lowe set to work loading passengers into the available lifeboats, before taking charge of lifeboat no.14 and rowing away from the stricken vessel.

However, unlike any of the other officers, Officer Lowe decided that he couldn't just listen to the dying screams of the passengers in the freezing ocean. He dispersed the occupants of his lifeboat among the other boats, and rowed back towards the sinking ship, managing to rescue four people still alive in the water. Officer Lowe also rescued passengers stranded on a sinking inflatable lifeboat, ensuring that everyone alive reached the safety of the Caparthia, a passing ship.

Upon his return to Barmouth 1,300 people attended a reception held in his honour at the Picture Pavillion. He was presented with a commemorative gold watch, with the inscription "Presented to Harold Godfrey Lowe, 5th officer R.M.S. Titanic by his friends in Barmouth and elsewhere in recognition and appreciation of his gallant services at the foundering of the Titanic 15th April 1912."

In September 1913 Harold married Ellen Whitehouse, and they had two children, Florence Josephine and Harold William. He served in the Royal Naval Reserve during World War I, before retiring to Deganwy with his family. He died in 1944 and is buried in the church of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos.

your comments

Sylvia Emm from Auckland, New Zealand
My name is Sylvia Emm nee Lowe whose paternal grandfather was Edgar Reginald Lowe the elder brother of Harold Godfrey Lowe, so his history is well respected by my family. My grandfather settled in New Zealand, so there is a growing branch of the Lowe family here.
Mon Aug 3 09:38:30 2009

Jackie Hail from Fort William
Harold Lowe is also related to me, and my family still live in Barmouth. I remember being told his story over and over again as a child. I must admit to being very proud when watching the film Titanic.
Mon Jun 29 16:29:39 2009

Mike Tyson, Barmouth
It is brilliant to have discovered so much more about Officer H G Lowe. Having been in S Africa for nearly a 1/4 of a century, I have returned to Barmouth where much of the family have roots. My mother was Florence, otherwise known as Peggy, Lowe and I am led to believe from information found on the web and provided to me, that Harold Lowe is my great grandfather. I have relatives living in the Coventry area who are also keen to learn more.
Fri Jan 9 09:48:07 2009

Patricia Winship New Jersey USA
There's one in the works, which will probably be published in Australia.
Mon Apr 21 10:36:20 2008

Tony Waters from ,Burry Port
Harold Lowe diserves recognition as a true welsh hero. Perhaps a statue of him in Barmoouth? I have a signed picture of him, a tresured momento.
Tue Apr 1 09:28:43 2008

BRIAN JOHNSON (LLANDUDNO).
I live about ten minutes from the graveyard where he is buried. The last time I 'passed by', I'm glad to say that his grave seemed to be fairly well tended. I'm sure that anyone who is familiar with the tragedy of the RMS Titanic, will all regard him as a real hero.
Tue Nov 21 09:20:22 2006

Jack Lowe, Canterbury
Harold Lowe is my great-great uncle! We still have relatives in Barmouth, the place where Harold came from. My grandfather still has some of his possessions, such as his pocket watch.
Mon Oct 23 09:57:14 2006

Jessica Martyn from Australia
I haven't heard of this book to be published here. I'd like to read it though. Ioan Gruffudd played Lowe perfectly and I am please he was at least Welsh.
Wed Apr 27 08:55:01 2005

P Winship from New Jersey, USA
There is a biography of Harold Lowe in the works right now. The author has just moved from the UK to Australia, and it will probably be published there. The manuscript is in the final stage of preparation before a publisher is sought.
Fri Jan 9 21:15:32 2004

Clifford Britt
This is the first information on Harold Lowe and his family history. There is a book about C. H. Lightoller (Biography), but I have yet to find one on Lowe. Do you know of one? I had read that when he died his burial went through Masonic rites! I this it's true he was a Mason. Is there a away I can confirm this?
Wed Jul 30 00:18:33 2003

more from this section

more from North West Wales

Enwi mynydd Ymgyrch hir cyn cael newid enw mynydd.