4:43pm Wednesday 10th June 2009
THE HYMN so closely associated with the dangers of being at sea will be sung at the Southampton funeral of Millvina Dean, the last survivor of the sinking of Titanic.
Tributes and messages of condolence have been pouring in from around the world ever since the news of Millvina’s death at the age of 97 at a nursing home near Southampton was announced last week.
Relatives have chosen what has become known as the sailor’s hymn, Eternal Father Strong to Save, with its famous words: “For those in peril on the sea’’ to be part of the private service held at Southampton Crematorium next Tuesday.
The Irish writer, Don Mullen, who was a friend of Millvina said: “She was one of the most beautiful human beings that I ever met.
“Her secret for a happy life was a sense of humour and a kind heart and that’s what you experienced when you met Millvina.’’
From the United States, Charles Haas, president of the American based, Titanic International Society, recalled that Millvina was always ready to talk to children about Titanic.
Mr Haas said: “She had a soft spot for children. On one occasion I remember watching as little children came over to her clutching pieces of paper for her to sign. She was very good with them, very warm.’’ Millvina was just nine weeks old, the youngest passenger on board Titanic, when the liner struck the iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in 1912.
Although her father was drowned, she survived, together with her mother and brother, after being lowered over the side of the ship in a sack.
For many years Millvina led a quiet life in Southampton but this all changed when the wreck of Titanic was discovered.
Millvina said: “Nobody knew about me and Titanic, to be honest, nobody took any interest, so I took no interest either.
But then they found the wreck and after that they found me.’’
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