Mr. Arthur John Priest, from Southampton,  was a fireman or stoker on board the titanic. He was part of the "Black Gang" that would work in the boiler rooms and coal supplies, keeping the 29 huge boilers (made of several furnaces each, for a total of 162 furnaces), running on the Titanic around the clock.

Upon boarding he would have likely been dressed like a typical steerage (or 3rd Class Passenger) in heavier, more durable clothes. A "chore jacket" with a simple brown canvas vest, a white shirt, heavy canvas trousers and a flat cap. However, while working, firemen/stokers and trimmers would wear light trousers, possibly even lighter "shorts", and thin or no shirts. Working constantly around coal and the heat of the boilers, firemen would usually be covered in coal dust and sweat, leading to them being called the "Black Gang".

They would also have separate sleeping areas, even away from the general steerage areas.

He had quite a history with ships.

He was on board the Olympic (Titanic's sister ship) when it collided with the HMS Hawke in 1911.
After surviving the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, he was aboard the Britannic when it hit a mine and sank in 1916.
He also survived the losses of the Alantra and Donnegal ships during WWI.

This led to him being called by some the "unsinkable", but he later claimed that he was forced to retire as no one wanted to sail with him anymore.

 

​

Link to the Titanic

 

There were over 163 firemen (stokers) on board, and only 45 survived. Many of them did their best to keep the boilers running as the ship sank. This would keep the pumps working, and hopefully slow down the rate the ship sank. It also kept the lights on, helping those trying to escape into the lifeboats.

 

Several of the firemen were dressed in only their undershirts and shorts when they got into the lifeboats in freezing weather.
 

Arthur John Priest had to fight his way through a maze of corridors to reach the upper decks.  Once he got there most of the lifeboats were already gone.  He ended up jumping into the freezing water but was pick up by lifeboat 15.   He survived with frostbitten toes and a minor leg injury. 

​​

​

Description of Outfit​

 

Arthur Priest is being portrayed by Phil Waclawski.  He's outfit is typical of a fireman boarding the ship as a 3rd class passengers. 

 

He is wearing;

• White cotton shirt

• Simple brown cotton canvas vest

• Heavy cotton canvas trousers

• Brown cotton canvas "Chore Jacket"

• Wool flat cap