Lifeboat 6, launched from the port side of the Titanic during its sinking on April 15, 1912, carried approximately 28 people, despite having a capacity for 65. It is famously known as the lifeboat that rescued prominent American socialite and philanthropist Margaret "Molly" Brown, who was later dubbed "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" for her courageous actions during and after the disaster.
The occupants of Lifeboat 6 consisted primarily of first-class women, along with a few male passengers and crew members. Quartermaster Robert Hichens was officially in charge of the boat. This lifeboat gained notoriety for the strong personalities aboard and the disagreements that arose, particularly between Molly Brown and Hichens, regarding returning to the wreck site to pick up more survivors.
Known Occupants of Lifeboat 6
Here is the exact list of the 28 known survivors who departed on Lifeboat 6, based on historical records from reputable sources like Encyclopedia Titanica:
| Category | Name | Class/Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | HICHENS, Robert | Quartermaster | In charge of Lifeboat 6; known for resisting calls to return. |
| FLEET, Frederick | Lookout | The lookout who first spotted the iceberg. | |
| HENDRICKSON, Charles | Fireman | ||
| Passengers | ALLEN, Miss Elisabeth Walton | First Class Passenger | |
| ANDERSON, Mrs. C. (Carrie E.) | Third Class Passenger | ||
| ANDREWS, Miss Cornelia I. | First Class Passenger | Maid to Mrs. Emily Borie Ryerson. | |
| APPLETON, Mrs. Charlotte Annie | First Class Passenger | ||
| ASPLUND, Master Carl Edgar | Third Class Passenger | One of the Asplund children, aged 5. | |
| ASPLUND, Miss Elina Vilhelmina | Third Class Passenger | One of the Asplund children, aged 8. | |
| ASPLUND, Miss Karin Aliina | Third Class Passenger | One of the Asplund children, aged 2. | |
| ASPLUND, Miss Lillie Elizabeth Eva | Third Class Passenger | One of the Asplund children, aged 10. | |
| ASPLUND, Miss Selma Augusta Ilona | Third Class Passenger | One of the Asplund children, aged 9. | |
| BROWN, Mrs. James Joseph (Margaret) | First Class Passenger | The "Unsinkable Molly Brown." | |
| CANDEE, Miss Helen Churchill | First Class Passenger | Author, journalist, and feminist. | |
| CATON, Miss Annie | Stewardess | A member of the ship's crew, listed as a passenger on this boat. | |
| GOLD, Miss Katie | Second Class Passenger | ||
| GRAHAM, Mrs. William (Elizabeth Anne) | First Class Passenger | ||
| HANLEY, Miss Sarah Elizabeth | Second Class Passenger | ||
| HEWETT, Mrs. Elizabeth Catherine Alice | Cook | A member of the ship's crew, listed as a passenger on this boat. | |
| LEADER, Miss Alice Frances | First Class Passenger | Maid. | |
| MARECHAL, Mr. Frederic | Steward | A member of the ship's crew, listed as a passenger on this boat. | |
| PEUCHEN, Major Arthur Godfrey | First Class Passenger | A Canadian businessman and military officer. | |
| RYERSON, Mrs. Arthur Larned (Emily Borie) | First Class Passenger | ||
| SIEBERT, Mr. Ernest Waldemar | Steward | A member of the ship's crew, listed as a passenger on this boat. | |
| SIMPSON, Miss Sallie P. | First Class Passenger | ||
| STONE, Mrs. George Nelson (Martha Ewens) | First Class Passenger | ||
| WHITE, Mrs. Thomas Charles (Ella) | First Class Passenger | ||
| YOUNG, Miss Marie Grice | First Class Passenger |
Notable Events and Rescue
- Internal Conflicts: Significant disagreements arose within the lifeboat, particularly between Molly Brown and Quartermaster Hichens. Brown, supported by other passengers, strongly advocated for the boat to return to the debris field to search for survivors. Hichens, however, refused, expressing fears of the boat being swamped or pulled down by the suction from the sinking liner.
- Journey to Safety: Lifeboat 6 rowed away from the sinking ship and was eventually rescued by the RMS Carpathia, which arrived at the scene in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.
The experience of those on Lifeboat 6 offers a microcosm of the Titanic disaster, showcasing the diverse human reactions to extreme peril and the challenges faced by survivors in the chaotic aftermath.
