George Reuchlin

Nobleman Johan George Reuchlin junior wanted to travel with *Titanic* because he had a certain attention for the ship. He was an honorable guest invited by White Star Line. He paid for one of the best cabins in First Class, but eventually ended up paying with his life. He was born in His first name was Johan but he was often adressed as 'George'. Reuchlin was the only Dutch passenger aboard Titanic and one of the three Dutch people that didn't survive the disaster. The others were two crew members, Wessel van der Brugge, a Fireman and a Lader Cook of the la Carte Restaurant, Hendrik Bolhuis.

George Reuchlin was a 37-year old, Dutch gentleman, born on 6 December 1874 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In 1905 he married Agatha Maria Elink Schuurman. They had three children: Henri, Carolina and Maarten. In 1912, Johan was director of passage for the Holland America Line. His mother was Carolina Helena Schumacher. His father was Otto Reuchlin, a wine merchant as well as the general director of HAL. They were also part of the MMI. HAL wanted to build their own large steamer, the *Statendam II*, but they'd love to learn how the business was done on these new, larger vessels of White Star Line. Their new ship would be a bit larger than the *Mauretania*, and weight over 32.000 ton, which is not quite as large as *Titanic*, but it would still be the biggest ship sailling under the Dutch banner. It would have three funnels, but the luxury should not be too far off Titanic's. They even wanted a similar A-Deck promenade for Statendam, with enclosed windows like on *Titanic*.

During March 1912, the *Statendam*'s construction was well underway, and Reuchlin preposed that they should make a voyage with *Titanic* to get inspiration from all the luxury and innovation the new ship had and to learn how she was run. His colleague Jan Volkert Weirdsma had already been on *Olympic* and experienced the Hawke incident as well, and was in general hugely impressed by this ship, espcially after it was still seaworthy after the collision. Because Weirdsma had to celebrate his 25-year marriage with his family he transferred his mission to Mr. Reuchlin, who gladly accepted it. Weirdsma made arrangments with Bruce Ismay, who had received message from Weirdsma that nobleman Reuchlin wanted to book for the maiden voyage, he sent Jan a letter with a promise he'd personally take care that Reuchlin was provided with the most comfortable cabin that he craved.

George was always believed to have boarded Titanic in Cherbourg, but new information arose that he got on in Southampton, because he had described the incident with the cruiser Hawke in one of his telegrams he sent to his family and friends. Those also made clear that he was enjoying his trip.

When Ismay arrived in New York, one of the first people he spoke to was C. Gips, the director of the American devision of the Holland-America Line. Ismay stated he hadn't seen Reuchlin since the sinking. When Gips learnt Reuchline had died, he immediatly started sending a telegram in English. He was good friends with the widow, Mrs Agatha Reuchlin, he wrote her a personal letter. It was unknown if Reuchlin and Ismay had any contact during the voyage, allthough they knew eachother well. Then again, Ismay was often spending time alone during the maiden voyage anyway.

The telegram was taken aboard the Lapland and the Holland America Line head office in the Netherlands received it in the morning of April 19. The flags were raised half.

George's relatives received the news that *Titanic* had gone down on April 15 and they already felt that George wouldn't be among the survivors. After all, he was a proper, modest gentleman, a good man with integrity. They said he would never go forward to take a seat in a lifeboat, especially not before any women and children. Four days later, George's death was confirmed. George's widow Agatha didn't need financial support from the White Star Line or the Titanic Relief Fund, she received an annual payment of hfl. 5000, from the Holland America Line. The Dutch government however did not want to pay her.

Reuchlin's body was never found.

## Sources

1. 'Titanic' ©1996 (second print, 1998) *Edward P. De Groot*
2. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan\_George\_Reuchlin