Frank Oliver Evans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1884-05-15)15 May 1884 Naphill,Buckinghamshire, England, U.K. |
| Died | 19 May 1952(1952-05-19) (aged 68) Hillingdon Hospital,Greater London, England, U.K. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy Merchant Navy |
| Years of service | 1899 – 1907 1914 – 1918 1939 – 1945 |
| Unit | RMS Titanic |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
Frank Oliver Evans was a British Able Seaman of theRMS Titanic as part of its Deck Crew. He was known for being a survivor of the ship as well as being one of 18 crew members of the lifeboat drill.
Evans was born on 15 May 1884 atNaphill,Buckinghamshire as one of twelve children of Joseph Evans and Mary Elliot. Evans enlisted in theRoyal Navy on 17 July 1899[1] and was initially stationed on HMSImpregnable but later transferred toHMS Lion,HMS Victory, andHMS Mars. On 1901, Evans was docked atGibraltar as a signal boy and continued service aboardHMS Fearless,HMS Sirius,HMS St Vincent,HMS Formidable andHMS Diana before being discharged on 4 September 1907. Around this time, Evans was described as while having good characteristics, he often got himself into trouble and was arrested at least three times for several misdemeanours.[2]
Evans remained out of any naval service until 1911 when Evans decided to join theMerchant Navy and was chosen to work at theUnion-Castle Line within HMHSTintagel Castle and theFerneo and theOlympic of theWhite Star Line. Evans then signed up to become a crew member of theRMS Titanic on 6 April 1912 and was listed as being fromSouthampton. Unlike most crew of theTitanic, Evans had recognized his assigned lifeboat due to taking part in the lifeboat drill training prior to the sinking. Evans was at the Forward Mess Hall on the C Deck when theSinking of the Titanic had occurred. Evans was ordered to find the Carpenter and sound all the wells forward but after failing to find the Carpenter, he found Boatswain Alfred Nichols and along with other crew members, he helped uncover port side boats and lowering Lifeboat's 1 and 12 before being ordered to board Lifeboat 10 byWilliam McMaster Murdoch, joining withEdward John Buley.[2][1][3]
Within the water, Lifeboat 10 pulled 200 yards away from theTitanic and managed to unite with Lifeboats 4, 12, 14 and D. Evans reported seeing theTitanic split into two between the 3rd and 4th funnels. Evans was then ordered byHarold Lowe to transfer to Lifeboat 14 and later returned to theTitanic in an attempt to find any remaining survivors.[3][4] Evans searched at Collapsible B and A but later testified that he was unable to search underwater due to fears of becoming unnerved and having a breakdown. After being rescued by theRMS Carpathia, he traveled toNew York City and wrote an inquiry withWilliam Alden Smith, documenting his experiences in theTitanic on 26 April 1912.[2][1][5]
Evans continued to work as a merchant sailor during the 1920s, serving inWorld War I and inWorld War II. After being made a quartermaster, he served on theMississippi,San Jeronimo and theTrinculo. After the inquiry, Evans rarely talked about his involvement in theTitanic as the events had traumatized him. He never married and retired atLondon and spent his final days atRuislip,Middlesex. He died at theHillingdon Hospital on 19 May 1952 and was buried at the Northwood Cemetery in an unmarked grave.[2][6]
