The Second Class Purser's Office, also named Assistant Pursor's Office, was located on E-Deck, opposite the Aft Second Class Staircase. The purser was Reginald Lomond Barker. Mr Ernest Waldron was the Purser's Clerk.
Location and function[]
The Assistant Purser's Office was located deep in the stern of the ship and was run by Assistant Purser Reginald Barker. The Assistant Purser was primarily in charge of the Second Class Passengers on board and spent much of his time devoted to their needs. While there were no amenities such as the Turkish Baths or Swimming Pools to sell tickets for in Second Class, as they were reserved for First Class only, the purser would still help passengers rent out deck chairs, hear any complaints from passengers about the ship or members of the staff, deal with cabin relocation should anyone be displeased with their cabin, and so on.
It was a very busy job, Reginald Barker went above and beyond to keep his passengers happy. Lawrence Beesley recalled several interactions with Barker after the disaster. Beesley, whom was seated at Barker's table for dinner, was approached by a passenger named Carter on Sunday with a concem. There was no service planned in Second Class, and Carter wished to utilize the dining saloon after dinner to have a passenger led service carried out. Beesley approached Barker with Carter's request, and Barker immediately gave his consent. At dinner on the same day. Barker remarked that the ship was not running at full speed and likely would not on her Maiden Voyage, though he fell that she was making excellent time by her daily runs.
Beesley initially returned to his cabin after the collision. As he was descending the Second Class Stairwell during the sinking, he passed by the Barker who was whispering to a steward while motioning with his head toward the bow of the ship. Beesley later felt that this was Barker's efforts to explain what had happened to the stewards, though he thought little of it at the time. Later as he was ascending the same stairs, he passed by the Assistant Purser's Office and noticed that the office was lit up. He heard the metallic clang of the sate door within and felt certain that it was Barker himself who was within, saving what valuables he could from the safe. Beesley did not see the man again, though Second Officer Lightoller later spotted him near the end on deck. He was standing with Purser Hugh McElroy and Dr O'Loughlin. The men all briefly shook hands and said their farewells before Lightoltler resumed his efforts to launch the final boats on his side from the ship Barker, McElroy, and O'Loughlin would all perish together in the sinking.
Wreck[]
The safe for the Second Class Purser's Office ended up in the debris field. When the Purser's safe was recovered in 1987, it was empty.
Popular culture[]
2012 Miniseries Titanic[]
The Second Class Purser's Office is shown in the episodes 1, 2, and 3 of the 2012 mini-series. The mini-series depicts the scenes near the Purser's Office as a scene of panic as passengers try to get their valuables, before Fifth Officer Lowe orders the purser to close the office.
Lawrence Beesley in his account of the sinking reported there was no large crowds of passengers at the Purser's Office wanting to retrieve their valuables. He did however hear the safe door clang shut and the hasty step of someone heading towards First Class while he was ascending nearby stairs.
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