Three Dogs Survived the Titanic Sinking: The Incredible True Story
On the cold, tragic night when RMS Titanic sank into the North Atlantic Ocean, taking over 1,500 human lives with it, a remarkable fact often goes unmentioned. Among the chaos, panic, and heartbreak, three small dogs managed to survive the disaster. Their survival tells a fascinating story about class, privilege, and the bonds between humans and their beloved pets during one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.
The sinking of the Titanic remains one of the most studied and discussed tragedies in modern history. Countless books, documentaries, and films have examined every aspect of that fateful night. Yet the story of the canine survivors offers a unique window into the social dynamics aboard the ship and raises questions about privilege, survival, and the value placed on animal life during emergencies.
The Dogs Aboard the Titanic
When the Titanic set sail from Southampton, England on April 10, 1912, it carried more than just human passengers. Historical records indicate that at least twelve dogs were aboard the ship, traveling with their wealthy owners in first-class accommodations. These ranged from small lap dogs to larger breeds, and they represented the close companionship that existed between affluent passengers and their pets.
During the Edwardian era, traveling with pets was common among the wealthy. Dogs were status symbols, companions, and in many cases, considered family members. The White Star Line, which operated the Titanic, accommodated this by allowing first-class passengers to bring their dogs aboard. The ship even had kennels on the F Deck where larger dogs could be housed and exercised by their owners during the voyage.
At least twelve dogs were aboard the Titanic when it departed Southampton. Only three would survive the sinking.
The Three Canine Survivors
Of the dozen or more dogs aboard the Titanic, only three survived the disaster. What makes their survival particularly notable is that all three were small dogs traveling in first-class cabins with their owners. Their size allowed them to be carried onto lifeboats, while larger dogs kenneled on F Deck had no chance of escape.
1. A Pomeranian Belonging to Margaret Hays
Breed: Pomeranian
Owner: Margaret Bechstein Hays, a 24-year-old first-class passenger from New York
Margaret Hays was traveling back to America after an extended trip to Europe. She boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, along with her Pomeranian companion. When the ship struck the iceberg, Hays managed to board Lifeboat 7, one of the first lifeboats launched from the starboard side of the ship.
Historical accounts suggest that Hays wrapped her small Pomeranian in a blanket and carried the dog with her into the lifeboat. In the chaos and darkness of that night, crew members either did not notice the dog or chose not to object. The Pomeranian sat quietly in Hays’ arms as they rowed away from the sinking ship, ultimately surviving the freezing night in the lifeboat until rescue arrived.
2. Another Pomeranian Belonging to Elizabeth Barrett Rothschild
Breed: Pomeranian
Owner: Elizabeth Jane Anne Barrett Rothschild, wife of Martin Rothschild
Elizabeth Rothschild was traveling in first-class with her husband Martin. The couple had boarded at Cherbourg with their small Pomeranian. When the ship began sinking, Elizabeth managed to secure a place in Lifeboat 6, one of the boats launched from the port side.
Like Margaret Hays, Elizabeth carried her tiny Pomeranian with her into the lifeboat. The dog was small enough to conceal and did not take up space needed for human passengers. Elizabeth and her Pomeranian both survived, though tragically, her husband Martin went down with the ship. She would later describe holding her dog throughout the terrifying hours in the lifeboat, finding comfort in the familiar warmth of her pet during the traumatic ordeal.
3. A Pekingese Belonging to Henry and Myra Harper
Breed: Pekingese
Owners: Henry Sleeper Harper and his wife Myra Harper
Henry Sleeper Harper was a publisher and director of Harper and Brothers publishing house. He and his wife Myra were traveling with their Pekingese dog named Sun Yat-Sen, named after the Chinese revolutionary leader. The Harpers were prominent members of New York society and traveled in considerable style.
When the Titanic struck the iceberg, the Harpers, along with their Pekingese, managed to board Lifeboat 3. Historical records indicate that Henry Harper was injured during the boarding process but survived along with his wife and their beloved dog. Sun Yat-Sen became one of the most documented canine survivors, with the dog’s presence in the lifeboat noted by multiple witnesses.
The Pekingese reportedly remained calm throughout the ordeal, tucked into the arms of either Henry or Myra Harper as they waited in the lifeboat for rescue. The dog would go on to live several more years after the disaster, a living reminder of that tragic night.
The Dogs That Did Not Survive
While three small dogs survived, at least nine other dogs perished with the ship. These included larger breeds that were housed in the ship’s kennels on F Deck. Among the dogs that died were:
- A Great Dane belonging to first-class passenger Ann Elizabeth Isham
- An Airedale Terrier named Kitty, owned by Colonel John Jacob Astor IV and his wife Madeleine
- A French Bulldog named Gamin de Pycombe, purchased in England for the then-staggering sum of 150 pounds (equivalent to over $20,000 today)
- A Chow Chow owned by wealthy stockbroker Harry Anderson
- Several other dogs whose specific details were lost to history
According to survivor accounts, as the ship began its final plunge, a crew member or passenger opened the kennels on F Deck, releasing the dogs in a last-minute act of compassion. Witnesses reported seeing dogs running frantically along the slanting deck as the ship went down. One survivor recalled seeing a large dog swimming in the freezing water after the ship sank, but none of the larger dogs survived the night.
Class, Privilege, and Survival
The survival of three small first-class dogs while over 1,500 people perished raises uncomfortable questions about privilege and priority during the disaster. The fact that all three surviving dogs belonged to first-class passengers who themselves survived in lifeboats highlights the stark class divisions that characterized both the Titanic voyage and the evacuation procedures.
First-class passengers had several advantages during the evacuation. Their cabins were located on the upper decks, closer to the lifeboats. They received earlier warnings about the severity of the situation. Crew members were more familiar with first-class passengers and more likely to assist them. These same advantages extended to their small dogs.
Survival Rates by Class
The survival statistics from the Titanic disaster reveal dramatic differences based on passenger class:
- First Class: 62% survival rate (201 survived out of 325)
- Second Class: 41% survival rate (118 survived out of 285)
- Third Class: 25% survival rate (181 survived out of 706)
- Crew: 24% survival rate (212 survived out of 885)
These numbers show that being in first class dramatically increased survival chances. The three dogs that survived benefited from the same privilege that helped their owners reach lifeboats.
Third-class passengers faced locked gates, confusing corridors, and language barriers that delayed their evacuation. Many third-class women and children died while first-class pets survived. This contrast has led historians to view the canine survivors as symbols of the inequality that characterized the disaster.
However, it is important to note that the small dogs did not take spaces from human passengers. They were tiny enough to be held in their owners’ arms and did not occupy seats in the lifeboats. The real tragedy lies not in the survival of three small dogs, but in the inadequate number of lifeboats for all passengers and the failure to fill even the boats that launched with their full capacity.
The Timeline of That Night
The Titanic strikes an iceberg on its starboard side. The collision tears a series of holes in the hull below the waterline. Most passengers feel only a slight jarring and continue with their evening activities, unaware of the mortal damage.
Captain Smith orders the lifeboats uncovered and crew members to prepare for evacuation. First-class passengers in their cabins begin to realize something serious has happened. Those with dogs in their cabins make decisions about whether to bring their pets.
The first lifeboat, Lifeboat 7, is lowered with only 28 people aboard despite a capacity of 65. Margaret Hays and her Pomeranian are among those in this boat. The “women and children first” protocol is inconsistently applied, with some men boarding early boats due to the lack of urgency perceived by passengers.
Additional lifeboats are launched, including those carrying Elizabeth Rothschild with her Pomeranian and the Harpers with their Pekingese. The situation becomes increasingly desperate as the ship’s bow sinks lower and passengers realize the severity of the disaster. Panic begins to set in as people understand there are not enough lifeboats.
The last lifeboat is launched. Over 1,500 people remain aboard the doomed ship. Reports suggest that at this time, someone released the dogs from the kennels on F Deck, allowing them their last moments of freedom.
The RMS Titanic sinks completely beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. The ship breaks in two as it goes down. Those in the water face almost certain death from hypothermia in the 28-degree Fahrenheit water. The three small dogs huddle with their owners in lifeboats, far from the tragic scene.
The RMS Carpathia arrives and begins rescuing survivors from the lifeboats. The three dogs are brought aboard along with their owners. The Carpathia crew members are surprised to find dogs among the survivors but allow them to remain with their owners.
Life After the Titanic
The three canine survivors went on to live with their owners after the disaster, though details about their later lives are limited. Historical records focus primarily on human survivors, with only occasional mentions of the dogs in personal accounts and letters.
Margaret Hays returned to New York with her Pomeranian and resumed her life, though she rarely spoke publicly about the disaster. Elizabeth Rothschild, who lost her husband in the sinking, kept her Pomeranian as a companion during her grieving process. The dog likely provided emotional comfort during an incredibly difficult time. Henry and Myra Harper continued their lives in New York with Sun Yat-Sen, and the Pekingese became something of a celebrity among those who knew the story.
“The small dog survived the great ship. There is something both comforting and tragic in that fact. Comforting because it shows that life, however small, found a way. Tragic because it reminds us of all the lives, human and animal, that were lost that night.”
What This Story Teaches Us
The story of the three dogs that survived the Titanic offers several important lessons that remain relevant today. First, it illustrates how deeply humans bond with their pets. In a moment of life-or-death crisis, these passengers chose to save their dogs, demonstrating the strength of the human-animal connection.
Second, the story highlights issues of privilege and access during disasters. The dogs survived because they belonged to wealthy passengers who had advantages in reaching lifeboats. This raises questions about how we prioritize lives during emergencies and whether current disaster plans adequately consider all members of society.
Third, the contrast between the three survivors and the nine or more dogs that perished reminds us that size and circumstances matter in survival situations. The small dogs could be concealed and carried, while larger dogs had no realistic chance of escape from the kennels.
The estimated number of people who died in the Titanic disaster. Alongside them, at least nine dogs perished when the ship went down.
Modern Pet Evacuation Policies
The Titanic disaster occurred in a different era with different attitudes toward animals and emergency procedures. Today, pet evacuation during disasters has become a serious consideration for emergency management officials. The experience of modern disasters has taught us that people are more likely to evacuate when they can bring their pets, and that leaving pets behind causes significant psychological trauma.
In the United States, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act was passed in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina, when thousands of pets were left behind. This law requires emergency plans to include provisions for pets and service animals. Many jurisdictions now include pets in their disaster planning, though implementation varies widely.
Airlines have also developed clear policies regarding animals during emergencies. Most allow small pets in carriers under seats, similar to how the Titanic survivors carried their small dogs. However, larger animals present ongoing challenges in emergency situations, much as they did aboard the sinking ship.
The Historical Significance
The three canine survivors have become a footnote in Titanic history, but they represent something larger than themselves. They symbolize the intimate relationships between humans and animals that transcend even life-threatening situations. They remind us that our bonds with pets are strong enough that people will risk bringing them into uncertain situations rather than leave them behind.
Museums and exhibitions about the Titanic sometimes include information about the dogs, recognizing that these stories add human dimension to the tragedy. The dogs help us understand the passengers as real people with families, possessions, and pets they loved, rather than just statistics in a historical disaster.
More than a century after the Titanic sank, the story of the three surviving dogs continues to fascinate people. These small animals represent hope, survival, and the enduring bond between humans and their pets. Their survival does not diminish the tragedy of the disaster, but rather adds another layer of understanding to the human experience aboard the doomed ship. In remembering them, we remember all who sailed on the Titanic, human and animal alike, and honor both those who survived and those who were lost.
Remembering All the Victims
While we can take some small comfort in knowing that three dogs survived, we must remember that the Titanic disaster claimed over 1,500 human lives and at least nine more dogs. Each life lost represented hopes, dreams, and potential cut tragically short. The story of the surviving dogs should not overshadow the human tragedy but rather enhance our understanding of the complex reality aboard the ship.
The dogs that died included the faithful Great Dane that reportedly refused to leave its owner, the expensive French Bulldog that represented someone’s considerable investment and affection, and the Airedale owned by one of the richest men in the world, who could not save his dog despite his wealth and influence. These animals died alongside their owners or alone in the kennels, victims of a disaster that made no distinction between rich and poor, human and animal, when the ship finally went down.
Today, when we think about the Titanic, we typically remember the grandeur of the ship, the inadequate lifeboats, the band playing as the ship sank, and the heroes who gave their lives to save others. The story of the three dogs adds another dimension to our understanding. It reminds us that aboard the Titanic were not just passengers and crew, but families with all their complexity, including the beloved pets that were considered family members.
The survival of these three small dogs in the face of overwhelming tragedy offers a tiny glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark story. They prove that sometimes, against all odds, the smallest and most vulnerable can survive. Their story has been passed down through generations, ensuring that we remember not just the statistics of the disaster, but the individual lives, both human and animal, that were touched by that fateful night in April 1912.
