Wideners dinner party

It is popular belief that at on April 14^th, 1912 on board the Titanic, George Widener and his family hosted a dinner party in honor of Captain Smith. It took place in the À la Carte Restaurant and was attended by several of the wealthiest families on board.

What did the survivors say?[]

There is surprisingly little evidence in the official inquiries that such dinner party actually took place.

First Class Passengers[]

Mahala Douglas' affidavit said:

"On Sunday we had a delightful day; everyone in the best of spirits; the time the boat was making was considered very good, and all were interested in getting into New York early. We dined in the restaurant, going in about 8 o'clock. We found the people dining, as follows:
(See sketch of dining room.)
As far as I have been able to learn, not a man in that room; all those who served, from the head steward down, including Mr. Gatti, in charge; the musicians who played in the corridor outside, and all the guests were lost - except Sir Cosmo Gordon Duff, Mr. Carter, and Mr. Ismay. All stories of excessive gaiety are, to my mind, absolutely unfounded. We did not leave the tables until most of the others had left, including Mr. Ismay, Mr. and Mrs. Widener, and their guests, and the evening was passed very quietly."

Mary Eloise Smith gave another affidavit, reading:

"At 7.30 p. m., as usual, my husband and I went to dinner in the café. There was a dinner party going on, given by Mr. Ismay to the captain and various other people on board ship. This was an usual occurrence of the evening, so we paid no attention to it. The dinner did not seem to be particularly gay; while they had various wines to drink, I am positive none were intoxicated at a quarter of 9 o'clock, when we left the dining room.
(...)
I stayed up until 10.30, and then went to bed. I passed through the coffee room, and Mr. Ismay and his party were still there. The reason I am positive about the different time is because I asked my husband at the three intervals what time it was. I went to bed, and my husband joined his friends."

Crew Members[]

Frederick Dent Ray testified on day 9 of the US Inquiry:

Senator SMITH. Have you since heard from anyone whether [Archibald Butt] was dining with the captain? Mr. RAY. No, sir. I heard since that he was dining with the Widener's. I do not know whether it is true or not, though, sir; that is only what I heard. Senator SMITH. From whom did you hear that? Just to refresh your recollection, let me ask whether you understood from anybody that Mrs. Widener gave a dinner in the cafe that night, Sunday night, to the captain of the ship, Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Thayer, Harry Widener, jr., and Maj. Butt? Was this the report that you heard? Mr. RAY. Yes, sir. I think it was Mrs. Moore. I saw Mrs. Moore after I arrived here. I think it was. I heard Maj. Butt was dining with the Widener's. I did not hear it on the ship.

Bruce Ismay[]

Ismay testified several times, each time he provided new bits of information.

Day 1 of the US Inquiry:

Senator SMITH. Mr. Ismay, what time did you dine on Sunday evening? Mr. ISMAY. At 7:30. Senator SMITH. With whom? Mr. ISMAY. With the doctor. [Dr. William O'Loughlin] Senator SMITH. Did the captain dine with you? Mr. ISMAY. He did not, sir.

Day 11 of the US Inquiry:

Senator SMITH. Do you know where the captain dined on Sunday evening? Mr. ISMAY. He dined in the restaurant. Senator SMITH. The same place that you dined? Mr. ISMAY. In the same room; yes. Senator SMITH. At the same hour? Mr. ISMAY. I do not know what time he dined. I saw him in the room dining. Senator SMITH. With whom? Mr. ISMAY. I believe he dined with Mr. and Mrs. Widener. Senator SMITH. Do you know anyone else who was at the table? Mr. ISMAY. I think Mr. and Mrs. Karger [Carter] were there, and Mr. and Mrs. Thayer. Senator SMITH. Was Maj. Butt there? Mr. ISMAY. I did not see him. I could not see the whole of the table; I could see only part of it. Senator SMITH. In what part of the dining room were they dining, with reference to yourself? Mr. ISMAY. They were dining at the forward end of the restaurant. Senator SMITH. On which side? Mr. ISMAY. The starboard side. Senator SMITH. And you were dining - Mr. ISMAY. I was dining in the middle of the room on the same side of the ship. They were dining in an alcove; part of their table was in an alcove. I could not see the whole of their table. In fact, I was sitting with my back toward them. Senator SMITH. How long did you remain at the table? Mr. ISMAY. I should think half or three-quarters of an hour. Senator SMITH. During all that time was the captain at his table? Mr. ISMAY. They were sitting at the table when I went out of the room, sir.

Deposition during the Limitation of Liability Hearings, Ismay said the following:

Q. Do you remember what time you had dinner with [Dr. O'Loughlin], and about how long it took that night? - I think we must have dined somewhere about half past 7, between quarter past and half past, I think it was. Q. While you were at dinner that night did you not see Captain Smith at dinner in the restaurant? - I saw him at dinner that night. Q. Do you remember whom he was dining with? - He was dining with some ladies; I think Mrs. Widener. Q. Was Mrs. Thayer there? - I do not know whether she was there or not. Mrs. Carter was with them, I think. Q. Were the gentlemen with them also? - Yes. Q. Were Mr. Widener and one or two others also there? - I do not know; I do not remember now.

Trivia[]

Although not shown in the 1997 film, Ruth DeWitt Bukater may have been attending the party, which was hosted by fellow Philadelphians, the Wideners. This may explain Ruth's previously unexplained whereabouts, which allowed time for Jack and Rose to spend time together.