“BP News gives more details: “Being a widower he may have been allowed to join her but instead forsook his own rescue, choosing to provide the masses with one more chance to know Christ. Harper ran person to person, passionately telling others about Christ. As the water began to submerge the “unsinkable” ship, Harper was heard shouting, “women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats.” Rebuffed by a certain man at the offer of salvation Harper gave him his own life vest, saying, “you need this more than I do.” Up until the last moment on the ship Harper pleaded with people to give their lives to Jesus.
“The ship disappeared beneath the deep frigid waters leaving hundreds floundering in its wake with no realistic chance for rescue. Harper struggled through hyperthermia to swim to as many people as he could, still sharing the Gospel. Harper eventually would lose his battle with hypothermia but not before giving many people one last glorious Gospel witness”
https://deeprootsathome.com/titanic-preacher-john-harper-remembered/
No Astor relations here. Great grandfather socialized with them in the NYC 400, and 5th great grandfather did surveying work for the original Astor. We only connect with the Newport cousins through my 3rd great grandfather. (And, no, none of the fortune came down our line. Just the history, but it’s still great fun.)
3rd great grandfather -Henry Bicker Gibson - banker, railroadman
https://youtu.be/4vHumEHx9xQ