Titanic survivor recalls harrowing moment ship sank | BBC Global
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 เม.ย. 2024
- More than a century since the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage, this first-person testimony of survivor Frank Prentice remains a powerful and harrowing account of the sheer terror felt by those on board.
In the BBC documentary The Great Liners from 1979, he vividly depicted the harrowing events of that historic night, one that continued to haunt him in his dreams for decades afterward.
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“You’d think I’m too old for nightmares, but you’d be amazed”
Truer words have never been spoken. Mad respect
It's one of those quotes that's always stayed with me.
Another is from an old cockney describing his experiences in the blitz. He leaned over the table and said with a stoney look "you can get used to anything", and it's proved itself true to me time and again since
I cannot imagine the suffrage from that incident and then the inevitable nightmares that would follow. As you lay your head to rest those events would play out over and over again. Would be incredibly painful.
Your point?
odly whenever i get cold or my head gets cold i have way worse nightmares
@@readmelancholystrumpetmaster The point:
You're obtuse.
This gentleman survived not only the sinking of the Titanic, but also 2 world wars !!! Amazing!
Indeed. That is amazing.
- along with an economic depression, the Spanish flu, the cold war, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, JFK's assassination, and the moon landing.
@JohanWXC how did he survive the jfk assassination or moon landing?
@@nc8507 You're misinterpreting the first comment. He survived the period during which those took place. He didn't actually fight in both world wars.
@@JohanWXC
You are correct in that he didn’t fight in both world wars. However, Frank Prentice DID serve in WW1, winning a Military Cross (MC) for bravery with The Tank Corps in which he was a major.
He was a very brave but very modest man.
Best wishes
For all the criticism TH-cam gets, you have to admit, its how we use it. This somehow ended up in my feed and I am incredibly grateful for that. It's very moving and touching.
Me too! Great video ❤
Very true. There is much great content.
same here - I'm not sure why it came up for me but I am pleased it did - and so sad from the moment he started talking...
Watch very little television program any more and watch informational videos like this.
Yes, don't use the app because of auto pay. Focus and search for what you want and ignore what they throw at you-if possible🤔🥴
The most candid interview of a Titanic survivor I have ever listened to,God bless this gentlemen.
Search Edith Russell titanic interview. Her account is very candid also
@@tanrat7 Very eloquent!
My brother-in-law was from England. He'd lived in the US for some 40 plus years. I always loved listening to his accent and delivery. He passed away about 12 days ago, after a drawn out battle against Dementia. We miss you John.
@@Gamevetsorry for your very recent loss, Chris, from UK.
God's Mercey To all those People and there Familys
Forever In time....
RIP......
@@Gamevethow old was he?
This stoic man is holding a lifetime of sadness. God rest his soul.
Respect and admiration for him
Thank you, men, for allowing us women and children to go first. Not sure why we should go first. It's so generous of you.
Kind of you to mention it 🤗
@@tracesprite6078I child needs their mother, men are disposable
@@tracesprite6078 Actually the ratio of men and women that survived sinkings aren't very different. It's more of a chivalrous myth than reality...
Interviews like this are why I love TH-cam.
That's how I feel as well. It's crazy the things I've not only learned more about but things I had never known anything about until I saw it on youtube. It's weird how some things can be so good in many ways yet bad in others. Some of the best inventions ever, the internet, cell phones and video games. Some of the worst inventions ever, the internet, cell phones and video games.
@MsBatbird I agree. We are privileged to watch this man tell his story about the Titanic from the comfort of our homes. Many people before us never had the opportunity to experience TH-cam.
Me too! I love to see this kind of thing because I’m so grateful to GOD for the life he has given us! Just like he said “ grateful to God”
I always love the interviews from the 1930's with old people who tell about growing up in the wild west and about serving in the civil war just mind blowing
@@mariomiranda8217amen 🙏
British understatement at its finest. Matter of fact, no drama.
Almost seven decades after the sinking of Titanic, Mr. Prentice described the terrible night as if it happened that morning. His precision and detail enables the viewer to imagine the horrifying and unimaginable visuals and ghastly sound of that giant ship rising out of the water like a monster. Thank you for the account and RIP, Mr. Prentice. Incidentally, the interviewer did a great job by mostly listening and not talking.
Seven decades? More than that!!
@@aileenmccarthy8660 This interview was airplayed in 1979... 67 years!!
@@mtibrands 1912 to 1979= 67
@@thierryminet9682 Corrected. Thanks!
Not completely accurate: He said it listed to Port but it was the Starboard side that the ship listed to, same side as the impact.
I feel honored he decided to share this. Vocalizing traumatic events is not easy.
It's not hard either
I think being involved in a famous story like this & surviving to tell the tale would bring your happiness not trauma
@@hoodplays9380 what was the point in that?
@@primetime_mitch harsh truth
He has a melodic way of speaking. Seems like a fine chap.
He's holding back tears telling the story.
He's looking away, talking slowly, and tears were welling up in his eyes.
Then he says he'll probably have a nightmare tonight, that's as bad as it gets.
For many "Titanic" is a movie or a TV show, one of many made over the last century. However, for this man it was a reality that would effect him for the rest of his life. He passed away, aged 93, in May 1982, 3 years before Dr Ballard found the wreck.
I don't discount the tragedy here, but there were other maritime sinkings that were much more tragic, yet everyone keep going back to the Titanic because it is the most famous. Lets not forget the hospital ship Wilhelm Gustloff where 9400 souls perished in about an hour by a soviet navy ship!
@@geometricart7851 why there always gotta be people like you? It's FOCKING video about Titanic survivor. If you wanna see something about Wilhelm Gustloff then go to a William Gustloff video! Or if you wanna see other videos about maritime sinkings go look them up, there's plenty!
Bless him, perhaps he met Mr and Mrs Clark again in 1982.
He lived to the age of 93…..survived the Titanic sinking and service in WW1. Incredible! His wife lived to the age of 99. What longevity for this couple that really should have never been since it appears they did not marry until 1919.
If they had a large family, odds are their children may still be alive. Grandchildren almost certainly so.
What an amazing character, he has such empathy for the event and shares it like a real gentleman.
Can you imagine being 23 years old when this new, spectacular ship you’re on, goes down in pitch darkness? In frigid, freezing temperatures at 2am? We will never grasp the true fear those souls felt.
Well put. Regards, Michael M Kamau, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, 10th May 2024.
This is one of the most moving things I have ever heard. Told in the most calm and dignified way. A true gentleman. "I saved her life and she saved mine". 😢
What a lovely old man, absolute gentleman, few and far between these days sadly.
RIP sir.
I too was struck by his pleasant demeanor.
Surely, he didn’t grow up listening to gangster rap.
he saved one life and then his life was saved
yes, we all heard that, but thanks anyway. lol
Yes , what goes around and all that . Your comment deserves the 70 likes so far.I’m not sure the sarcasm deserves 3 likes .
There were many others on that ship that saved others that perished. So much for karma. As he says himself it was pure luck he was picked up.
@@user-gc8pc3ol6l He helped that lady, then she helped save him...perfect karma story. It doesnt have to be this mystical thing...karma can just be others give back to you when you give to them.
@@user-gc8pc3ol6l He speaks his intuition
This man has PTSD, it shows in his voice and body language. One blessed man to survive that incident plus 2 world wars and then some.
No sht, Sherlock! You got some online degree where he can "click below" to get " cured"? 😂
@@MegaLBreezyyou are pathetic 😡
@@MegaLBreezy Some people think they know everything.
@@MegaLBreezy Tone down a wee bit, your sarcasm. Just an observation when watching his interview. Poor man's been through a lot more than normal given his experiences in life. He is a survivor.... 🤨
@@acebrandon3522you’re fine. People are dicks.
Old guy had massive PTSD that's why he continued to have nightmares. They didn't have that term back in 1979. What an incredible story. Meeting up again with Mrs. Clark must have meant that God or an angel was watching over them!!!!!
@AemondBlackKillerI would prefer gunfire from a distance than being trapped in a huge sinking chunk of steel in the dark of night in the middle of a freezing cold horrifying ocean.
They did have PTSD back then. It was known as shell shock.
@@bryanflipse8483 I forgot about that, your right! But that was normally reserved for military, not for someone else
Mr. Prentice Spoke about Having Nightmares. Poor Soul He is a Hero. Saved a Life and had his Saved too.
The most haunting part of this amazing interview is at the end when Mr. Prentice explains how the nightmares never end.
I saw an interview with a 92 year old man who stormed the beaches at Normandy. He was asked when was the last time he had a nightmare about that day. He said last night.
Preserved forever, a true eyewitness account. Incredible.
Only as long as the fragile internet exists.
Absolute hardcore account as well. On the boat as it lifted and went into the water as well. Basically a real life Rose Dawson 😂 Mad respect to the guy
Stiff upper lip, duty bound, never ever worried about his own demise, while witnessing horrors no one should. This man and his ilk are what made Britain what it was throughout the ages. I am proud to be British. As a side note: my gr8 grandad, a sergeant in the British army, also survived WWI...gaud only know how! I hope they both found peace.
I take my hat off to you and your countrymen.
RIP to this Gentleman what a Amazing Man God bless him in eternity
What a fantastic bloke a lost generation people are not this classy anymore
I’m struck, while listening to this gentleman’s personal accounting of what happened, just how amazing the 1997 movie “Titanic“ was in recreating the disaster. Listening to this man talk brought back scenes from the movie that seemed to match exactly what this man was saying. Imagine actually seeing those scenes from the movie in real life! How horrible, yet so amazing that he lived to tell it.
RIP Frank Prentice.
And all the rest on board that terrible night/morning . . .
Men like him make me proud of my wonderful country and it’s past 🇬🇧🏴👌
And look at it now and the latest generations! Compare and contrast!
@@markpalmer8083 exactly some can’t decide if they are Arthur or Martha strange world we live in now 😂
By colonising and killing other nations?
@@Hackett1066 Yes, that is EXACTLY what he meant XD
@@markpalmer8083 I prefer to focus on the positives and move forward rather than dwell on the negatives.
What a lovely gentleman! His level headed approach to what was going on after the iceberg was hit is so admirable. God bless his soul. May he rest in peace. May perpetual light shine upon him and everyone who sailed on that ship.
I can’t imagine the PTSD these survivors lived with. 😢 RIP for those who perished.
I think the one who he told about from the lifeboat, who wanted to get off was deeply in shock. 😢
You can see the pain in his face.
I met Edgar Harrell. He wrote a book called Out Of The Depths. He was a Marine on the Uss Indianapolis that got torpedoed. He just passed away a year or 2 ago. The last surviving Marine on that vessel. Riveting story of survival.
@@cjhoward409 The Indianapolis was a whole different level of hell, reading about it is enough to give one nightmares.
Heres the thing. Old school people lived with it and didnt use it as a crutch like todays sissys. Thats what i picked up from these old videos of tragedies. Something is to be gained from pain and sorrow. And how to deal with it make you into this man who can remember everything and went on being tough. No excuses
How wonderful to have this resilient gentleman giving a first person account of his harrowing experience on the night Titanic sank. The terror for all on board must have been unimaginable. This was recorded in 1979, 67yrs after she went down. Bless Mr. Frank Prentice for sharing this for the benefit of generations to come. May he RIP
You can tell by the emotion in his voice how much this still affects him. Terrible tragedy,
I dont think it still affects him
Why do you say that?@@Rob-zw5qs
@petercarrington948 because this interview was conducted 45 years ago and dude was already in his 80's it appears.
So unless he's 120 years old now, I doubt this STILL affects him.....
@@johnnymichael1804 oh that's SO Clever. 'dude'
@@johnnymichael1804 guess, you have never heard of historical present tense, hence ah so mathematically astute.
I had a customer whose father was on board the Carpathia the night she picked up survivors. He was quite young but apparently remembered that day quite vividly !
The definitive gentleman. Well educated and well read. A charming man in the way he communicates his feelings. They don’t make them like this very much anymore.
He's probably well read. I doubt he was well educated, serving as a crew member. He probably learned the trade to escape poverty. His life was an education, however.
This was wonderful to hear from an an actual survivor of the Titanic. This man recalled everything so vividly about the tragedy and did it so nicely. God bless his soul. Rest in peace Mr Prentice.
Poor man. It haunts him his whole life, but it would be a night mare for anyone.
Not only did he survive Titanic he survived the horrors of world war one.
And ww2
@@thesqueakteam1573 He wasent on active duty in ww2?
Well we survived covid and 911 and Joe Biden administration. I'd say we survived more than this man
@@torgrim123 He still survived WW2. Thousands of civilians were killed in the UK by Germans bombs.
@@torgrim123Just imagine what this man has seen and heard...what things we could learn from him. 🤔
Finally they posted a proper clip of this interview. Thank you.
In 1972 I met a woman who was a survivor of the titanic. She had been celebrating her 18th birthday. When the ship began to sink someone picked her up and threw her into a lifeboat. Her main memory was of the awful silence after all the people in the water had ceased their crying and calling for help.
His watch is an amazing artefact. Literally stopped at the time and never worked again.
Much like Gov't employees the first day they start their employment.
not waterproof
@@someoneelse.2252😂
Wow. What a man. I take my hat off to him. Frank W. Prentice. He still hurts but manages a smile.
This man is a national treasure, God bless him.
very sad..."i'll have another nightmare...you think I'm too old for that but you'll be amazed"
The massive trauma that man had that night effective him for the rest of his life.
Affected...
Bound to have affected him, however he seemed very self-possessed and sane nonetheless and his recollections were clear. He even recalled the name of newlywed Mrs Clark, who was reluctant to leave her husband behind on the stricken ship, and almost certainly lost him.
Terrible to die that night - but surely every bit as agonising to have survived, and had to go on with life, while your loved-ones tragically perished.
I can't imagine what would have been worse, his memories of the Titanic or his memories of serving in WWI. Both horrible loss of life up close and personal.
I think it’s the war that really did it for him.
@@roddydykes7053 The period of history he lived through, with not one but two world wars, is an extraordinary one. He was very lucky to come out alive - and when you add his experience on 'Titanic' to the mix, it's nothing short of miraculous that he lived to the ripe old age of 93.
What an amazing interview. He thanked God for saving his life. It was great he helped that young wife too.
Thank you BBC this is a priceless little interview.
Whats even sadder is gentleman like this have also slipped away never to be seen again
Totally agree, you won’t see people like that again…
That’s a tragedy in itself.
A truly remarkable account of the last moments of the Titanic.
I'm delighted to say this lovely man died of natural causes at the ripe old age of 93, on 19th May 1982, just three years after giving this interview.
And before he left this small planet, he fathered three children who are no doubt immensely proud of him.
There was pure luck involved in who lived and died that terrible night - and survivors were of course in the minority. His encounters with Mrs Clark were very moving - he saved her life, then she saved his with acts of human kindness. God bless their beautiful souls, the victims of the Titanic tragedy must never be forgotten.
And more survivors from first and second class mainly
Are you from his family? Wonderful testimony he's left for history. Very honest account.
Unless you were a woman of course
You’re delighted that he passed away? That’s dark
@@RonniePickeringMate Grow up!
I find it amazing that he ran into Mrs Clark a second time I hope they stayed in touch. Good bless them all.
They didn’t
God Bless Mr Prentice . . . And all the souls on the Titanic.
Wow, this gentleman tells a wonderful story of the sinking from his personal experience. Bless him.
Wow.. what an impressive gentleman. I wish young men had the style, grace and courage he demonstrated that night.
Real men have stopped existing. Unfortunately.
He talks about it so calmly but I don't doubt for a minute that he has nightmares about it.
Amazing testimony.
the watch was definitely the most fascinating part of this interview
Mt grandmother had a school friend who survived the event (she'd have been about 16). She had also said there was no initial concern or rush to the boats because everyone believed the ship unsinkable.
There had also been people who died as a result of getting on lifeboats on previous ships (capsizing, smashing into the side of the ship), so people who knew about any of those, would be even more reluctant to get on board a lifeboat.
I can recommend ocean liners design for more information. It is such a well researched and informative channel 😊
@@brightblue2415 It was 80 feet down the side of the Titanic to the water. Pitch black, freezing cold, eerily silent. Waving goodbye-forever to your husband/dad/etc. Leaving behind all your personal belongings other than what you could fit in your pockets. I for one would have been scared sh*tless to get into one of those lifeboats, and wouldn't unless there was no other choice, which people weren't sure of until the final minutes. Understandable they were reluctant.
Fascinating!! I had heard that the life boats weren't full because some didn't want to leave their loved ones or men didn't want to take seats that women and children could occupy but I hadn't thought about those who were scared of the 70 foot drop and how they still didn't think the ship would sink even in such a state of emergency. Those details make it even more chilling.
I can feel the pain and distress that he must have endured throughout his life.
That must have been the most horrific sight he's ever seen...😢RIP to those who have fallen.❤️
wow what an amazing fellow ,he saved people and himself , but his recall is so eloquent and heart felt
A finer gentlemen you couldn't hope to meet. God bless this mam.
Such a harrowing story. To think he has been through two world wars also. God bless you sir
They don't make 'em like him anymore
Such old school understatement!
Nor- women& children first... 😢
I am sure there are still many like him. Thankfully we haven't had another similar ship go down to bring proof there are.
Bless his heart, what a charming man.
What a fabulous gentleman, god bless him forever.
This was one of the most touching and amazing interviews I've ever seen.
Incredible listening to this in 2024. Great story. Horrible tragedy
What a kind and well spoken gent this man is, with still a clear imagination of that fatefull night, to relive that tragic night must have haunted him for the rest of his life, may god grant you peace, god bless you ❤.
Hardly any real genuine people around like this anymore
I just adore him speaking to all of us. How absolutely lovely to have this precious interview footage 🙏
What he saw and experienced that night was absolutely horrific, it’s no wonder he still has nightmares. Nobody could ever be the same after all that fear, panic, and death.. frozen bodies everywhere. God bless them all, including the rescuers.
Amazing - best titanic story I've heard - grabs your heart
What an elegant man. He's held that trauma his whole life
Very nice old fella and i feel so sorry for the lost ones and the survivors who lived with the horror and matching dreams.
What a wonderfully articulated Gentleman he was. Sounds like he faced fear with courage and dignity, put others first. A hero
What an incredible story and brilliant man. It conveys how quick the ship sank. The strength of character of his generation is remarkable. Great to share and keep such an important memory.
What an amazing account from Mr. Prentice. I hope he lived a blessed life. Thanks for sharing.
Such strength in this man even though he had suffered and was suffering still at this time of the interview. Great interview. I hope he found Gods peace.
Unimaginable. Thank you for posting.
I'm 66 years old and as 17 year old I spoke with my Great Uncle quite often. I was always someone with a great interest in history and my uncle had a good memory. My interests were and remain mostly Geopolitics and military history in general, plus old time baseball. That was something we had in common. My uncle was born and raised in Manhattan and I inhereted being a New York/San Franciso Giants (baseball of course) fan from my father and other family members. He remembered hearing about the Titanic but he didn't have any great intimate knowledge about it. Even in the many decades since the story of the great liner, it was always a very popular one because the ship was full of famous and wealthy passengers, many of whom went down with the ship.
So sad yet so hauntingly captivating. If this man is still alive I hope he finds some peace and solitude.
This interview is wow. Can’t even describe the feeling.
What a fine gentleman! One of the finest interviews that I've heard on TH-cam. I can't imagine going through what these survivors experienced, especially the ones that were in the frigid waters in the darkness. How terrible it had to be!
3:51 moment when she broke.. also he saw propellers and everything from the water which means that visibility was good !!
That calm was actually the problem; lookouts couldn’t see waves against the iceberg because there weren’t any.
He had such a calming and endearing way about him - especially how he spoke. Beautiful human. Respect.
Wow I could scarcely imagine surviving such a traumatic event. Seeing the emotion in his glistening eyes really got me.
Extraordinary. Such honesty from a generation not disposed to such displays.
Bless this gentleman and all those souls
Wow, this brought tears to my eyes. One of the best quality interview I've seen of the events. Makes it feel very tangible.
Absolutely top class person with such an impressive memory ! I very much admire him ,his family will have this video to treasure .Cheers Eddie
Wow! Respect Mr Prentice and To all his future family. Incredible first hand account.
What an amazing survivor. I'm sure he does have vivid nightmares about the Titanic sinking experience. This gentleman's account was extremely heartfelt 😢
True hero and a gentleman. Restores my faith in humanity
This interview is absolutely amazing and fascinating. Thank you so much for posting it!!!!
Hopefully after this man passed his soul finally found peace.
Wonderful to listen to his story...
What a wonderful gentleman, and incredible story. Especially the part about how he and Mrs Clarke saved each others' lives. You can see how, so many years later, that night still haunted him. He made the horror of it so vivid.