Dr. JAMES TILLY HOUGHTON, Saloon
Class Passenger
Dr. James Houghton, 29, was from Troy, New York. He was the son
of Supreme Court Justice James Houghton. Dr. Houghton was a surgeon
who graduated from Harvard Medical School.
While onboard the Lusitania, Belgian Red Cross fundraiser Marie Depage had solicited him for help on
the Western Front field hospitals to work with her, her husband Dr. Antoine
Depage, and nurse Edith Cavell. Dr. Houghton had told Marie
that he signed a new will the night before leaving New York. Marie
in response described herself a "happy fatalist" (Hoehling/Hoehling, 79).
James was in his cabin, E-64, when when the Lusitania was hit.
He and Marie then made for A-deck where they worked busily to calm
women and children and assist them into the lifeboats. Marie also
helped bandage the hand of Matt Freeman, the amateur lightweight boxing
champion of England, who had hurt his hand in assisting the lowering of
lifeboats.
As the water rose up to the decks, Marie and James made for the rail.
They jumped from the portside just as the deck was awash and were
caught by the suction. Dr. Houghton was hit in the head as they went under
and the force of the water separated them. Marie became entangled in
ropes lying on the deck, but managed to get herself free. Dr. Houghton
then saw Marie struggling, but then she was swept away. When he came
up, Marie was gone.
Dr. Houghton got aboard a damaged collapsible and was rescued by the
050. Before rescue, one account given said that he saw George Vernon go mad and dive off the lifeboat.
Dr. James Tilly Houghton died on 25 March 1931.
Contributors:
Michael Poirier
References:
Hickey, Des and Gus Smith. Seven Days
to Disaster. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1981.
Hoehling, A. A. and Mary Hoehling. The Last Voyage of the
Lusitania. Madison Books, 1956.
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