Most of us would feel lucky to have survived one historical maritime disaster . What a golden person you would be to hold up three awful tragedies at sea !
OK , that ’s keep on the glass half full . Some would indicate that not being involved in any disaster is a lot luckier . But that would make for a much more boring podcast thanthis episodeof Stuff You miss In History Class . Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey convey you the story ofViolet Jessop , a stewardess and nurse in the early 20th century , who — count on how you see it — either was the luckiest noblewoman to remain afloat at ocean or one who probably should ’ve stopped tempting fate by boarding any sea - going vessel .
Jessop was born in 1887 to Irish parents who had immigrated to Argentina . After the death of her father and a move to Britain , Jessop ’s mother commence working as a stewardess for theRoyal Mail Line . After her female parent ’s health failed , Violet adjudicate to set about earning an income for herself and bring together up with the merchant marine line as well . But when Violet applied for a position , she was confront with a daunting atmospheric state of sexism in the male - dominated manufacture . She was tell " she was both too young and too pretty , " says Holly about Violet ’s interview with the transportation line , and while she was eventually hire , " her memoirs peach about her just attempt to find the most frumpy , grey , unappealing outfit potential , " according to Tracy .
While she enjoyed the business for the travelling and geographic expedition , it was n’t easy — partly due to the amorous cash advance of gang and rider alike . After rebuffing a chieftain , she was send packing from the Royal Mail Line and begin working on the White Star Line . In 1911 , she was on the RMSOlympicwhen theHMS Hawkesmashed into it — luckily , no one was spite .
Then come in Jessop ’s 1912 voyage on a little boat called theRMSTitanic . It did n’t go so well , although Jessop ’s account of it was n’t panic . " Her recounting of this part of it voice almost impossibly calm , " articulate Tracy . " Jessop and her roommate took their rider to the lifeboat and then with nothing else to do they depart back to their cabin . " Another crewmember did win over them to go up to the pack of cards again and get on board a lifeboat , from which Jessop see the mighty ship eventually slip under the water .
But do n’t think Jessop was done with ship — or shipwreck . mind tothis episodeof Stuff You miss In chronicle Class to discover Holly and Tracy item the last — and arguably most horrific — tale of Violet Jessop ’s many brushes with maritime disaster .
