Rev. J. Stuart Holden
The Reverend J. Stuart Holden may not have been destined to win a Nobel Peace Prize. However, like John Mott, he was deeply involved in Christian public speaking. In 1912, Reverend Holden, who was vicar of St Paul’s Church, Portman Square, London was looking forward to a trip to New York where he had been invited to speak at the Christian Conservation Congress, a six-day long convention that was opening at Carnegie Hall on April 20. Unlike John Mott, the Rev Holden had nothing against a spot of luxury travel. So he booked himself a first-class ticket on Titanic.
However, the Reverend Holden’s wife suddenly fell ill. So on April 9, the day before the ship was due to sail and with no small amount of regret, the Vicar canceled his trip so he could stay at home and nurse her. However, a few days later, his feelings changed entirely to relief and gratitude when he heard of his narrow escape. This unexpected deliverance prompted the Reverend to mount his ticket in a cardboard frame to which he added the words from Psalm 103, verse 3: “Who Redeemeth Thy Life From Destruction,” in thanks for his salvation.
Perhaps the reverend was right to offer thanks to his god for it seemed some mysterious force was at work. For he was not the only clergyman due to sail on Titanic to the Conference. The others included Archbishop Thomas J. Madden, of Liverpool, and the Rev. J.S. Wardell Stafford. Like Holden, they too were prevented from traveling on the doomed liner.
As for the ticket, it hung in its very ordinary frame in the Reverend’s study, a constant reminder of his lucky escape. After his death, it was then donated to the Liverpool Merseyside Maritime Museums. It is the only known surviving first-class ticket from Titanic and until 2003 was deemed too valuable to display when it was finally unveiled to the public.
It was not just passengers who were prevented from sailing on Titanic by strange twists of fate. Changes in circumstances also saved certain members of the crew.