As the Titanic departed from Southampton, England, Lady Duff was traveling with her maid and had secured one of the most luxurious staterooms, B21. She relished the opulent surroundings of the ship and enjoyed the festivities onboard.
However, tragedy struck on the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic collided with an iceberg. Lady Duff recalled sensing a slight jolt and hearing hushed whispers among the crew. Despite the initial assurances that the ship was unsinkable, she grew increasingly anxious as news of the severity of the situation spread.
As the ship went down, Lady Duff found herself separated from her maid. In a state of panic, she made her way to the upper decks, where lifeboats were being loaded. She was initially reluctant to enter a lifeboat, fearing that it might capsize. However, an officer spotted her and ordered her to board, recognizing her as a notable passenger.
After some persuasion, Lady Duff entered Lifeboat 2, becoming the last woman to get into the lifeboat and the only woman rescued after the ship's bow had breached the water's surface. In her lifeboat, she displayed composure and courage, helping to calm distressed fellow passengers and taking responsibility for distributing blankets to keep others warm.
Upon surviving the sinking and finding herself in a small lifeboat, Lady Duff faced challenges and uncertain prospects. The survivors endured rough seas, cold temperatures, and hunger, all the while anxiously waiting for rescue. Finally, they were spotted and picked up by the Cunard liner RMS Carpathia.
Lady Duff emerged from the tragic event with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to helping others. She became actively involved in charitable work and philanthropic efforts, using her influence to support various causes. Her experiences aboard the Titanic transformed her life and left a lasting impact on her outlook and commitments.