Who from Augusta was on the Titanic? Here's a look back at this tragedy's local impact

As authorities work to rescue a missing submarine exploring the Titanic, the eyes of the world are once again on this infamous ship. When it sank in 1912, the ship took more than 1,500 lives and its story deeply affected millions of people, including those in Augusta.

The Augusta Chronicle has several records from the work its correspondents did at the time. In the week following the sinking on April 14, the Chronicle had hundreds of stories, with some being highlights of the national coverage while other illustrating the tragedy's local impact.

In one issue from April 17, there was a brief story titled "Augustans Moved by Titanic's Doom" where two women empathized with the survivors and the victims based on their previous travels. The article had no byline and read as follows:

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"In almost the same place where the Titanic went down, Miss Margaret Kennedy, of the JB White company, and Miss Laura McArthur, with TG Howard's Drug Store, in returning from Europe last year, encountered a field of ice and fog banks, and for fear of an accident the large steamer stood by for two days. When it moved at all, it proceeded with great caution. Misses Kennedy and McArthur state the experience of two days with the large icebergs is one long to be remembered and a fearful one."

In the same issue, two first class passengers with Augusta ties were confirmed as among those rescued from the lifeboats: Georgette Madill and her mother "Mrs. Edward Robert" who Encyclopedia Titanica confirms as Elisabeth Walton Robert. They were reportedly "well-known in Augusta" and were related to W.F. Parks, a notable local educator at the time.

But in the first few days following the sinking, there was one big name in everyone's mind and prayers: Maj. Archibald Butt. The 46-year-old presidential aide was a major figure from Augusta and was among the first-class passengers on the ship. Phones reportedly rang day in and day out at the Chronicle, asking for any updates on the beloved Augustan. Journalists reported being up at all hours of the day and night, communicating with the White House, New York outlets, the Associated Press and anyone else who might have information.

The official list of reported survivors was published by the Chronicle on April 17. While some held out hope that Butt's omission was an error, many of his loved ones and close colleagues knew he had died. President Howard Taft said in an April 18 story that he knew it all along.

"I never had any idea that Archie was saved at all," he said. "As soon as I heard that 1,200 people went down, I knew he went down too. He was a soldier and was on deck where he belonged."

Ironically, Butt was more concerned about the safety of his initial voyage to Italy than his return trip to America on the Titanic.

As news of his death circulated, stories began to arise confirming Taft's theory. Survivors reported seeing Butt on the deck of the Titanic with his fellow officers, helping women and children into the life boat and serving as a calming presence during a truly chaotic situation. One of the more prominent voices was that of Marie Young, a music teacher to one of the previous First Families.

"Major Butt escorted me to a seat in the boat," she said. "He helped me find a seat, arranged my clothing about me, stood erect, doffed his hat, smiled, and said, 'Goodbye,' and then he stepped back to the deck, already awash."

Butt has been memorialized with a bridge on 15th Street in Augusta and a fountain near the White House.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Titanic passengers from Augusta, local history, impact of sinking