Margaret Bechstein Hays (December 6, 1887– August 21, 1956) was a passenger on the RMS ''Titanic''. She and her dog, Lady, survived the ship's sinking, escaping on lifeboat no. 7. Following the disaster, she cared for two small children known as the " Titanic Orphans" in her
New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
home until their mother claimed them.
Rescue from the ''Titanic''
Margaret Bechstein Hays was born on December 6, 1887 to Frank and Mary A. Hays. She was 24 years old when she boarded the ''Titanic'' at
Cherbourg, France
Cherbourg-Octeville () is a former commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France. Although Hays was not concerned, Potter was scared. They dressed and wrapped Hays'
Pomeranian dog
The Pomeranian (also known as a Pom, Pommy or Pome) is a dog breed, breed of dog of the Spitz type that is named for the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany in Central Europe. Classed as a toy dog breed because of its s ...
in blankets. They headed to C Deck, where Tucker helped them collect life jackets.
The three women and the dog boarded lifeboat no. 7, which was the first boat prepared. The occupants of boat 7 were rescued early on April 15 by the RMS ''Carpathia''. Also on the ''Carpathia'' were two young boys who spoke only French. Margaret spoke French fluently and she was concerned that they would be separated from one another. She volunteered to take the children into her care until their family could be located. The boys played with Hays' dog, ''Bebe'', while they were on the boat.
The identities of the children were initially unknown, but it was determined that they were Edmond and Michel Navratil. Their father, Michel Sr., who died in the accident, had boarded the ''Titanic'' under an assumed name. He had taken the children from his estranged wife and was removing them to the United States. Upon her return to New York, Margaret cared for the children, who became known as the "Titanic Orphans." She had the help of the
Children's Aid Society
Children's Aid, formerly the Children's Aid Society, is a private child welfare nonprofit in New York City founded in 1853 by Charles Loring Brace. With an annual budget of over $100 million, 45 citywide sites, and over 1,200 full-time employees ...
in caring for the boys until their mother, Marcelle Navratil, came from
Nice, France
Nice ( ; ) is a city in and the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department in France. The Nice urban unit, agglomeration extends far beyond the administrative city limits, with a population of nearly one million
, to claim them.
Hays's admirer Gilbert Tucker also survived the sinking. Nevertheless, Hays went on to marry a
Rhode Island
Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...
physician
A physician, medical practitioner (British English), medical doctor, or simply doctor is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through the Medical education, study, Med ...
, Charles Daniel Easton, in 1913 and they had two daughters. She was widowed on October 4, 1934. Hays remained friends with Tucker and the two corresponded frequently. She died on August 21, 1956, in
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, controlled by the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires is classified as an Alpha− glob ...
, of a heart attack while on vacation with one of her daughters. She is buried at St. Mary's Churchyard,
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Portsmouth is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 17,871 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census. Portsmouth is the second-oldest municipality in Rhode Island, after Providence Plantations, Provide ...
.
Margaret Bechstein Hays was not, as has sometimes been claimed, related to victim
Charles Melville Hays
Charles Melville Hays (May 16, 1856 – April 15, 1912) was the president of the Grand Trunk Railway. He began working in the railroad business as a clerk at the age of 17 and quickly rose through the ranks of management to become the General M ...
, an American railroad executive traveling first class on the ''Titanic'' with his wife Clara and their adult daughter Orian (both of whom survived) and son-in-law (who perished). Mr. Hays' party was in a different group of cabins on B Deck.