David blair titanic biography witnesses

David Blair was Titanic’s original Second Officer. He had joined the ship at Belfast, sailed with her to Southampton and was originally to have been aboard when she set sail on her maiden voyage to New York – but in the days Titanic was in Southampton prior to her maiden voyage, he lost his place aboard the ship due to it being decided that Henry Wilde, who last served as Olympic’s Chief Officer, was to be appointed as Titanic’s Chief Officer on her maiden voyage; Titanic’s original Chief Officer, Willian Murdoch, was made First Officer, while Charles Lightoller Titanic’s original First Officer became Second Officer, and David Blair lost his place aboard Titanic’s maiden voyage, potentially saving his life.

David Blair was born on 11th November White Star Line’s Officers Books lists him as being born in Scotland but all other sources available to TP give his birth place as Newport, Isle of Wight, England.

He likely started his career at sea when he started a four year apprenticeship on sailing ships.

David blair titanic biography witnesses photos Watch this page Watch this page. Lightoller was unaware of this when he took over and Frederick Fleet mentioned to the American Inquiry that they had been unable to find them. He got hold of the lifebouy and started to push it ahead in the direction of the drowning man. He was up in an instant.

He joined the White Star Line on 22nd January as Fourth Officer aboard Doric. He was made Second Officer of Doric in March

He married Madeline Temple Mackness in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland on 2nd September

The ships he served aboard between and included Cufic, Celtic, Cevic, Georgic, Majestic and Teutonic.

Just prior to joining Titanic he had been serving as Second Officer aboard Teutonic, and is then listed as being Second Officer of Majestic, which was out of service at the time.

He is listed in White Star Line’s Officers Books as becoming Titanic’s second Officer on 26th March When he left the ship at Southampton, he still had with him a key from Titanic; the key sold at auction in for a reported £90,

After Titanic he served again as Second Officer aboard Majestic, which after the sinking of Titanic was put back in service as Titanic’s replacement.

While serving aboard Majestic, in May , David Blair jumped overboard to save the life of a crew member who had tried to commit suicide, both were safely brought back on-board.

During the First World War, David Blair was serving aboard Oceanic, which was in use as an armed merchant cruiser – when on 8th September she grounded and become permanently stuck on rocks at Shaalds of Foula in the Shetland Islands, Scotland – resulting in Oceanic having to be abandoned and be a total loss.

It appears David Blair was the officer on watch on the bridge at the time, and unfortunately he was later reprimanded at a court-martial for navigational errors during his involvement in the accident.

This incident at the start of the war should not overshadow his war services.

David blair titanic biography witnesses But dragged in he was and held down by two big sailors, while the others pulled back to where Blair was treading water and shouting at the top of his lungs to let them know his position. The Majestic arrived here to-day, the passengers still gossiping of the thrilling rescue two days ago and telling each other where they had stood when Blair dived overboard, how they had seen Kelwen rush from the stoke hole and how they had felt as they waited for the return of the rescuers. He never took his eyes from the sea until he shouted to the skipper that he saw the helpless fireman. Stay in touch with Encyclopedia Titanica Your subscription could not be saved.

At Buckingham Palace on 13th February , David Blair was awarded by King George V the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) .

After the end of the war David Blair is listed in White Star Line's Officers Books to have been serving as Chief Officer aboard Haverford. Haverford is listed as his last ship serving as a White Star Line officer.

He resigned from the White Star Line on 14th February

David Blair was a friend of Charles Lightoller, who took his place as Second Officer aboard Titanic, and remained friends in their later years.

David Blair died in Hendon, Middlesex (now Hendon, Borough of Barnet, London) on 10th January

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