Scott Turner was born in Lansing, Michigan, in the United States of America, on 31st July 1880, the son of James Munroe and Sophie Porter Turner (née Scott). He had an older brother named James, and his father, who was Mayor of Lansing in 1889 and 1895, and who died in 1896, was involved in finance and real estate. On his father’s death, Scott and his brother inherited Springfield Farm, a 1,200 acre ranch outside Lansing which was renowned for the quality of beef reared there.
He qualified as a mining engineer, and in 1915, he was contracted by a company to operate mines on the island of Spitsbergen for a small annual salary, and a 5% net share of the company’s profits.
In the spring of 1915, he booked saloon passage on the Lusitania through The Royal Insurance Company of 84, William Street, New York, to travel to Liverpool. His intention was to travel on to Norway, from where he could get to Spitsbergen. He intended to be in Spitsbergen for a number of years, and had with him a vast amount of engineering equipment and personal items, enough to last for several years.
Leaving Lansing at the end of April, he stayed at The Knickerbocker Hotel, in New York, before joining the liner on the morning of 1st May, at her berth at Pier 54 in New York harbour. Having boarded, (with ticket number 46164) he was escorted to room B41, which was the personal responsibility of First Class Waiter James Holden, who came from Liverpool and was acting as a first class bedroom steward on what was to become the Lusitania‘s final voyage. The liner’s departure from New York was then delayed until the early afternoon, to take on passengers, cargo and some crew from the Anchor Liner Cameronia, which had been requisitioned for war work by the British Admiralty.
Six days out of New York, however, the Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk, by the German submarine U-20, when only twelve miles off the coast of southern Ireland and only hours away from her home port of Liverpool.
Scott Turner was one of just over 100 saloon passengers to survive the sinking; however, and having been rescued from the sea, he was eventually landed at Queenstown.
The only extant mention of his ordeal and rescue is published in a book named The Tragedy of the Lusitania, written not long after the sinking in 1915 by Captain Frederick D. Ellis, in which the author is describing the fate of fellow saloon passenger Carlton Broderick, and states: -
Scott Turner, who survived, was with him several hours after the ship sunk, (sic) and last saw him supported by two oars and with every possibility of being rescued. He was probably the last passenger to leave the ship and was brave and cheerful throughout.
First Class Waiter Holden who had looked after Scott Turner in room B41 perished in the sinking and never saw his Liverpool home again! Fellow saloon passenger George Turton was also looked after by James Holden and had also stayed at The Knickerbocker Hotel prior to joining the Lusitania. It is highly likely that the two knew each other. Scott Turner was aged 34years at the time of the sinking.
Having been rescued from the sea and landed at Queenstown, Mr. Turner made his way to London and booked himself into the Piccadilly Hotel where he sought medical advice for an injury to his shoulder.
He informed Cunard in London of his situation on 9th May and it in turn cabled the Liverpool office with the information, which stated: -
Mr. Scott Turner, now at the Piccadilly Hotel, informs us that he has had to call in a Medical adviser and has had his shoulder X-rayed. He expects to be laid up several days and is under the impression that we should pay any medical charges.
Having recovered sufficiently, Scott Turner continued on his intended journey to Norway. It was September before he was fit enough to travel to Spitsbergen, but due to lingering effects from his injuries, he was unable to do field work. Eventually, he had to abandon his work, and he returned to the United States.
In 1916, he secured another position with a company operating mines in South America, but again, found he was unable to perform field work, and was forced to return home
after a short time.
On 30th April 1918, Scott Turner was appointed a Lieutenant (Senior Grade) in the United States Naval Reserve Force. He was sent to Cleveland, Ohio, and held the position of Special Production Officer in the Great Lakes District. He served until 12th January 1919.
The Mixed Claims Commission considered a claim for compensation, made by Scott Turner, and awarded him the sum of $15,000.00 in compensation for his injuries, sustained in the sinking of the Lusitania, and a further sum of $3,700.00 in compensation for medical expenses associated with his injuries and the loss of his personal belongings.
On the 25th June 1919, he married Amy Jenison (née Prudden) in Lansing, Michigan. His wife was a divorcée and the couple had no children, nor were there any children from his wife’s first marriage.
Following his marriage, Scott Turner, accompanied by his wife, travelled extensively between the United States of America, South America, and Europe in the course of his profession. He was the permanent director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines from 1925 until 1934, and in 1932, he was the president of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers. The couple reside at 2400. 16th Street, Washington D.C., for many years. In 1957, he became the 18th recipient of the Hoover Medal, a prestigious U.S. engineering award.
In the late 1940’s he sold Springfield Farm to the City of Lansing and some of the land was opened as a public park, named Arboretum Park, in the 1950’s. Following his retirement, the couple moved to 44. Patterson Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut.
Scott Turner died at Greenwich Hospital on the 30th July 1972, a day before his 92nd birthday. His wife had died on the 6th February 1972, and they are buried together in Mount Hope Cemetery, Lansing, Michigan.
Michigan U.S. Marriage Records 1867 – 1952, Connecticut Death Index 1949 – 2012, 1900 U.S. Federal Census, 1910 U.S. Federal Census, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, 1940 U.S. Federal Census, U.S. Passport Applications 1795 – 1925, U.S. Consular Registration Applications 1916 – 1925, California Passenger Lists New York Passenger Lists 1820 – 1957, Puerto Rico Passenger Lists 1901 – 1962, Cunard Records, Mixed Claims Commission Docket No. 1332, U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Evening Star, Tragedy of the Lusitania, UniLiv D92/2/393, Graham Maddocks, Stuart Williamson, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.