The Titanic Waif

ABOUT THE DRAMA

Seneca Award for Best New Show in 2022

The sinking of the Titanic is a maritime disaster whose drama has stood the test of time. The personal stories that have come from the tragedy have spawned books, movies, plays, songs and, yes, even audio dramas.

One of the lesser-known stories is that of the Navratils, a family caught in misfortune as the Titanic, while on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, hit an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic. The Navratil children, Edmond and Michel, Jr., became known as the Titanic Waifs, because none of their rescuers knew who they were. We invite you now to join us as we tell the tale of The Titanic Waif, a story of love, mystery, heartbreak, and sacrifice.

The cast includes: Craig Hart (Announcer, Harris), J.D. Sutter (Augustus Smith), Katrina Mazier (Bertha Lehmann), Jonathan Cooke (Bille, Hotel Clerk, Teller), Micah Touchet (Bruno, French Consul), Darby Kern (Bryhl, Sailor), Steve Schleicher (Captain Smith, Leon), John Fornof (Lightoller), Rich Swingle (Luc, Murdoch), Aimee Lilly (Marcelle), Trisha Rose (Margaret Hayes, News Anchor), A.W. Miller (Michel), Nato Jacobson (Navratil), Katie Leigh (Valerie), Randy Streu (Wade Benson), Stephanie Nemeth-Parker (Young Michel)

Written and Directed by Darby Kern. Produced by Craig Hart. Music by John Campbell. Editing and Sound Design by Craig Hart.

LRT Media theme composed by John Campbell

Also check out the soundtrack for The Titanic Waif!

ABOUT THE STORY

The story of the Navratil children, sometimes known as the "Titanic Orphans" or "Titanic Waifs," is indeed a poignant and lesser-known episode from the Titanic's tragic voyage. Here are some interesting facts related to their story:

1. Last Moments with their Father: Michel Navratil placed his sons in Collapsible D, the last lifeboat successfully launched from the Titanic.
2. Language Barrier: One of the reasons the rescuers had difficulty identifying the boys was the language barrier. The children only spoke French, and there was limited communication between them and the English-speaking crew and passengers of the RMS Carpathia, the ship that rescued Titanic survivors.
3. Temporary Care: After the rescue, the boys were cared for by a woman named Margaret Hays. She took them to her home in New York while the authorities tried to determine their identities.
4. Mother's Relief: Their mother, Marcelle Navratil, saw their pictures in a newspaper and immediately traveled to New York to reunite with her sons. She had been searching for them after their father had taken them and was overwhelmed with relief to find them alive after the Titanic disaster.
5. Legacy: Michel Jr. became the last living male survivor of the Titanic. He passed away in 2001. Before his death, he often spoke about the Titanic tragedy, ensuring the memories of the event, his father's sacrifice, and the ordeal he and his brother went through remained alive.
6. Titanic's Graveyard: Michel Navratil Sr.'s body was recovered by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett and was buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which is one of the Titanic graveyards.
7. Memorial Visits: Michel Jr. and his family made several trips over the years to the cemetery in Halifax where his father was buried, honoring his sacrifice.