#Kate Buss Willis

[mikegunnill]

111 years since the Titanic sank.

There are many stories about the sinking of the Titanic and the people who sailed on her. This my story; originally published in Bygone Kent magazine issue:37 Number 2, over 8 pages.

The Titanic sank on the 15th April 1912. Of the 2,223 onboard, 1517 were lost.

Many were searching for a new life in the United States. One of these was 36-year-old Kate Buss 1873-1972 from Sittingbourne, Kent. She was making the journey alone to marry her Kent-born fiancé, Samuel Willis in San Diego in California. Kate survived and they married three weeks after the disaster.

Picture: Kate Buss before leaving Kent.

Samuel Willis ran a tailor’s shop in Sittingbourne, first in the High Street and then later at 110 East Street. Kate Buss was born at 37 Shakespeare Road, Sittingbourne. In 1901 her father James Buss was listed as a grocer-postmaster at 68 Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne.

Picture: Kate Buss, birth home in Sittingbourne, Kent.

Samuel Willis sailed to America in 1908 and settled in San Diego and then opened his own grocery store. Saving enough, to send money back to Kent to pay for his wife-to-be voyage. Kate sailed on a second-class ticket for E-Deck, number 27849, which cost £13.

At 11.40pm on the 14th April she heard a crash and went on deck. Meeting a friend, she returned to her cabin and put more clothes on, then returned on deck. Along with a female friend they were escorted to lifeboat Number 9. Kate later wrote to a friend, Elsie Sparkes in Halling, Kent: “ I’d just my nightdress, my dressing gown and a long coat. It was terribly cold by the iceberg.”

“ I’ve lost everything to remind me of home, all my photographs, my letters, everything except my rings and watch.”

Lifeboat Number 9 was lowered at 1.30am and it was picked up by the Carpathia at 6.15am. The ship picked up 712 people from 13 lifeboats. The rescue ship arrived at Pier 54 in New York at 9.25pm on the 18th April.

Picture: The lifeboat arriving off the rescue ship; Carpathia.

Staying in the east side of New York at the home of; Reverend William Dalziel 1855-1935 and his wife, Emma 1856-1921, formally of Greenstreet near Faversham. Kate wrote to her mother in Sittingbourne.

“ I do hope you don’t believe most of the newspaper stories. I am well and want you to know this. I have been preserved from reporters, who have been trying to find me.”

She later left New York and started the journey to San Diego, where she was reunited with Samuel Willis. Kate wrote several letters to friends in Halling, near Rochester. “ They had to haul me up the last few steps of the rescue ladder and then someone wrapped me in a rug. I had hot brandy and water in the saloon.”

The memory of the terrifying climb, she said would stay with her for the rest of her life.

Kate married Samuel Willis as planned on Saturday, 11th May 1912.

Picture: Kate Buss and Samuel Willis.

Kate Willis never spoke in public about the tragedy but did so in private, when she became emotional. She successfully avoided the press and didn’t testify to either, to the American or the British boards of inquiry.

In one of the few public statements she made, Kate said: “ I willingly would have waited, if I had known how few lifeboats there were.”

On the 12th July 1972, Kate Buss Willis died in Independence, Oregon. On her gravestone her daughter added a,  “ Titanic survivor.”

Picture: Kate Buss Willis in 1950.

Passengers from Kent who died during the Titanic disaster were:

William Thomas Bevan,19 of 95 Richmond Road, Gillingham.

Harry Bristow, 39 of Station Parade, Shortlands, Bromley.

Richard Henry Rouse, 50, of 30 New Road, Sittingbourne.

Thomas Leonard Theobald, 34, 8 Cromer Street, Strood.

Alfred Rush,16, a friend of the Theobald family.

Bernard John Boughton, 25, of 12 Hardinge Road, Ashford.

Percival Thorneycroft, 36 of Bearsted.

Frank Goldsmith, 33 of 22 Hone Street, Strood.

A more complete version was published in Bygone Kent magazine. http://bygonekent.org.uk/

Relations of the Buss and Willis families, helped with details used in this article.

(c) Mike Gunnill 2023.

[godsheadangel]

NEWLY CROWN HEADANGELQUEEN 10/10/19

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[theebaymuseum-blog]

Original Steamer Blanket from the Titanic This steamer blanket measures 56 1/2 in. x 65 in. It is two sided, meaning that it has two differing patterns and colors. It is in remarkable shape and is the finest example known. This blanket was purchased from the great granddaughter of James Monk, a blessed man who cancelled plans to sail on the Titanic with a friend of his, Miss Kate Buss, opting for a direct passage to America aboard the Celtic. Upon arriving in the United States, Kate Buss married in San Diego, becoming Kate Willis. On July 21, 1912, less than 3 months after the fateful disaster, she wrote to her friend James Monk and described in detail the horrific experience she endured. With the letter came the blanket which quite possible saved her from the frigid Atlantic night just 3 months earlier. The letter is in remarkable condition, the mailing envelope has browned with age. This is a short excerpt from the bio of Kate Buss. She booked passage on the Titanic and joined the ship at Southampton (she was seen off by her brother Percy and a Mr Hedley Peters who had arranged her ticket) with ticket number 27849 and occupied a cabin on E-Deck. After exchanging her ticket for a luncheon card Kate took her seat at the lunchtime dining table, here she met some of her fellow travelling companions, among them Dr Ernest Moraweck, whom she described as "very agreeable" and who proved his medical skill by removing some soot that had got in her eye. Morawick offered to show Kate around New York once they arrived but she declined. Later that day, while on deck she met and shared a steamer rug with Marion Wright. Kate had retired and lay in her bunk reading a newspaper when the collision occurred at 11:40 pm that evening. She thought it sounded like a skate on ice. She waited and listened to the engines reversing, when they stopped she went out in the hallway where she met her table companion, Dr Ernest Moraweck, who offered to investigate. Kate then went to the cabin of Marion Wright, whom she met during the voyage, awakened her, and together they went on deck. On deck there was little activity but they met Douglas Norman who told them the ship had hit an iceberg. They looked over the rail at the well deck where people were congregating, some with their belongings. Kate berated a passenger who remarked on how protective they were being of their property, telling him that those trunks might contain all they had in the world. Before an argument could develop Douglas Norman guided the ladies below for some warm clothes. The Purchaser of this blanket will receive the letter written to James Monk from Kate, a letter with wonderful content describing the great fear and loss of life that is worth many thousands of dollars itself. A reasonable offer may be accepted The content of the letter is as follows: My dear Mr. and Mrs. Monk, I appreciate your kindness in writing to me and thanks for your congratulations on my safety and for good wishes. I remember passing you once when I was in S. Bourne- or rather I concluded that it was yourself having heard from Sam Buss that you were in England. You were indeed fortunate in having decided to change your ship before returning, but I guess it was not fear for The Titanic's safety which led you to make the change-She certainly was a beautiful ship-Truly it was a fearful disaster and as one looks back and remembers more clearly the actual loss of life and the fearful suffering of the victims, one can only wonder and feel still more thankful for their own escape. I think if you've read my diary, you have read almost even more than I can tell you now. My memory has played me some very funny tricks since I wrote that account. Sometimes I can remember lots of incidents which may be totally forgotten again for weeks. My nerves are still in a very bad condition and I've been rather harassed with replying to letters from the friends of victims-some of whom I never met on The voyage. There were a few instances where it gave me extreme pleasure to be able to relieve the minds of some of the relatives and friends of those poor unfortunate victims whose acquaintances I had really made. Did you by any chance meet a Miss Kate Buss on the Celtic? The uncle of this said lady was so impressed by the similarity of names that he wrote to ask if I by any chance might be related. His niece was traveling about the same time as The Titanic either in The Celtic or Cedric, I forget which now. I have met with the greatest kindness in America is was ever my lot to meet with during my life, especially in New York. The ladies of The Relief committee were more than generous. Yes ? liked the country especially my trip across the continent and I suppose I'll soon like it better, but after such an experience one naturally yearns for home and I shall never be satisfied until I've once more visited the old country. My husband doesn't remember you personally but remembers the name and family quite well. I of course remember you better and I heard my father say he had been speaking to you. I think it is very kind of you indeed to write and congratulate me and I appreciate it very much. My husband joins me in kindest regards and thanks for your good wishes for our future. Yours Sincerely, Kate Willis https://m.ebay.com/itm/Original-Titanic-Steamer-Blanket-1-Of-Only-3-Known/360773522889?hash=item53ffc715c9:g:uWgAAMXQ-BZQ~z5r