John Edward Hart was a Third Class steward of the Titanic. He is known for bringing two large groups of Third Class women and children to the lifeboats, while many others died. He himself survived the sinking in lifeboat 15.
Portrayals[]
Even though he played a key role in the rescue of many Third Class passengers, Hart isn't portrayed in most popular culture.
S.O.S. Titanic (1979)[]
Aubrey Morris as John Hart in S.O.S. Titanic (1979)
| “ |
Now, listen, everybody! Listen now, pay attention, please. Now listen. Look, I've been authorized to lead you all out in small groups to where the lifeboats are. Now, the rule is women and children first, of course. |
” |
—John Hart | ||
He was portrayed by Aubrey Morris in S.O.S. Titanic. He is inaccurately portrayed as going down with the Titanic (as evident as being listed as a victim at the end credits). The film doesn't take much of his historically accurate heroic deeds, but he does tell Violet Constance Jessop to get the steerage on deck when she is trying to keep the passengers from panicking.
Titanic (1997)[]
- Main article: Scotland Road Steward
The 1997 film Titanic featured a steward who was seen guiding passengers through the ship when Jack broke through a door. He wanted to charge Jack for the damage, but he received a double "Shut up!" from Jack and Rose. He was only credited as "Scotland Road Steward". It may have been Hart, but it isn't known for sure.
2012 Miniseries Titanic[]
Ralph Ineson as John Hart in the 2012 Miniseries Titanic
| “ |
Send the women with young children to the front, and I'll take the first group up on deck. |
” |
—John Hart | ||
Hart is given a more prominent portrayal in the 2012 Miniseries Titanic, portrayed by Ralph Ineson.
Episode 1[]
When the ship is sinking, steward Turnbull holds down steerage passengers in a big room. He is asked if they can go up, but Turnbull orders him to wait. Hart, who prefers to let them out, whispers something in his ear. Turnbull shouts again to the passengers that there's no danger.
Episode 2[]
Hart is first seen at boarding day. Somehow, a cabin door is locked. He asks another steward why, but he doesn't know.
Suddenly, a large noise distracts him. He abandons the locked cabin.
When he returns to the cabin with pasengers, he finds the Maloney family in the cabin which was supposed to be empty. Jim Maloney says they had been directed to this cabin, and when Hart asks for their tickets, Jim stalls so long that the cabin mates leave.
That evening, he serves as a waiter in the Third Class Dining Room. He clears Jim & Peter's table of the empty glasses.
That Sunday evening, the ship is sinking. Hart holds down the Third Class passengers together with Steward Turnbull and two other stewards, saying there's no danger. Finally, Hart takes a group of women and children through the gate and up to the lifeboats.
Hart brings his group to lifeboat 15, and most of the Maloney family run to the boat as well, where Mary Maloney suddenly gets trampled. Lord Manton helps to get her up. Muriel Batley is also trampled, but John refuses help from Lord Manton. The Maloney family board lifeboat 15, and Murdoch orders steward Hart to take charge.
Episode 3[]
Hart after the church meeting
On the Sunday of the maiden voyage, Hart oversees the Third Class church meeting. When he goes up, he sees a woman struggle at an entrance to steerage. She says she's looking for a locksmith in steerage to help her opening a jewelry box. Hart sneaks her in after making her promise she'll take the blame if anything goes wrong.
In steerage, Hart asks a group of passengers for a locksmith. Peter Lubov decides to look at it.
Later, the ship is sinking. David Evans asks Hart if they can go up to the lifeboats, but steward Turnbull keeps him and many other passengers behind a locked gate. Hart is concerned about how long they can keep them down and wants to let them go up. Turnbull simply replies with shouting that there's no danger. Evans suggests they take the children up, but Turnbull rejects that as well: what if a pack of screaming mothers chase after them?
Finally, Hart sees they're losing control and decides to take action. He orders to send the women and children forward and opens the gate. He leaves steerage, followed by women and children. Behind him, Turnbull cuts off the line.
Hart brings his group of women and children to lifeboat 15, followed by most of the Maloney family. He helps the children get in when First Officer Murdoch orders him to get in and take charge. Theresa Maloney suddenly panics and jumps back on the sinking Titanic.
Episode 4[]
Hart brings a group of women and children to lifeboat 15, followed by most of the Maloney family. He helps the children get in when First Officer Murdoch orders him to get in and take charge. He then alerts Hart that the boat must be lowered now, any more and it would split. Theresa Maloney immediately assumes the boat is going to break and jumps back on the sinking Titanic. Her father and Peter Lubov go to look for her, and the boat is lowered without Theresa. Hart takes an oar to row the boat away from the ship.