Titanic Compensation Cases

There were several applications, under the Workman’s Compensation Act, at the Southampton County Court on Tuesday, before Judge Gye, arising out of the loss of the Titanic. In one of them the applicant was Mary Jane Worthman, of Orchard-place, the respondents being the White Star Line.

The man in respect of whose death the application was made, was known as William Jarvis, a fireman on the liner, who had, said Mr. C. A. Emanuel, who appeared for the applicant, been several times in prison for housebreaking and theft. Consequent upon the interest of a clergyman in Devonshire, where they lived, the deceased and Mrs. Worthman came to Southampton, the former getting employment with the White Star. Mr. Emanuel gave details of the lives of Jarvis and his wife, and called Wm. Smith who said he had frequently cashed half pay notes belonging to Jarvis, on behalf of his wife, Mrs. Jarvis or Worthman. – The applicant, in evidence, said her husband, William Henry Worthman, was known as Jarvis, but the former was his real name. He came out of prison and came to Southampton at the conclusion of his last sentence, on the “same day that Lord Kitchener came to Southampton.” Witness use to receive her husbands half-pay notes, and they were cashed for her by the previous witness. The last half pay note so cashed was dated February of last year, but she had money from him subsequently. Before he went away on the Titanic her husband stayed in Canal-walk, while she was living in Briton-street, but her husband never said he was about to separate from her. Witness had not joined her child as a dependent because she told Mr. Hiscock, she did not know where she was, having been taken from her care by a magistrate’s order in Torquay. The witness admitted being convicted at Southampton on charges of prostitution, drunkenness, and bad language, during 1911, and once of drunkenness, sine the Titanic went down. Her husband made a disturbance on one occasion because she was convicted whilst he was at sea. Payments were made to her from the relief fund, but there were stopped. Later she received help from the Mansion House fund, and it was upon this that she was living. - Other evidence given on applicant’s behalf was that she and her husband lived at an address in Mount-street for six months in 1911, and that when she lived in Briton-street her husband visited her every day.

For the Company, Mr. Hiscock submitted that the applicant was not wholly or partially dependent upon the deceased at the time of his death. Over 500 cases had been settled without comment by the Company, which only contested cases after full enquiry.

Having heard Mr. Emanuel, his Honour said he thought he would be wrong if he held on Mr. Hiscock’s submission, that there was no evidence of dependency.

For the respondent, Mrs. Steverson, wife of the keeper of an eating-house in Canal-walk, was called. The deceased, she said, lived at her house for six weeks or two months before the Titanic went down. During that time he was engaged at the Docks. The applicant came to the house several times, and witness had to turn her out two or three times. Deceased’s half-pay note, in regard to the Titanic voyage, was made payable to witness’ husband, in part payment of the bill for lodging. – Detective-Acting-Sergeant Pugh, Southampton Borough Police, proved convictions against Mrs. Worthman, and said that the deceased man, whose address were kept because of his previous career, was a quiet and sober man during his residence in Southampton.

In giving his decision his honour said it was one of the most terrible and painful cases it had ever been his ill-fortune to listen to, and every one would feel the deepest and most sincere pity for one who had fallen so low. Finding in applicant’s favour, his Honour made an award for £237. 12s. compensation, which figure was admitted by the respondents.

There was another case in which the applicant was Sophie Allen, of Short-street, and Amelia Grey was entered as respondent. Neither applicant, nor Mrs. Grey entered an appearance, and Mr. C. F. Hiscock, for the White Star Line, was awarded costs on scale B, the case being struck out.