The Story of Charles Joughin and the Murphy Cocktail: An Ode to the Titanic's Head Baker
The tragedy of the Titanic remains a poignant chapter in maritime history, seen through symbolic tales of heroism and human folly. Among the legacies of that fateful night is the intriguing story of Charles Joughin, the ship's head baker. His tale transcends mere survival; it's laced with peculiar anecdotes, including the apocryphal tale of Joughin mistakenly believing he saw a polar bear near the iceberg. This article explores both the life of Joughin and a fitting tribute in the form of the Murphy cocktail, a drink he might have enjoyed on that historic night.
Born in 1878 in Birkenhead, just outside Liverpool, Charles Joughin served as the Titanic's head baker at the tender age of 33. With an essential role of ensuring fresh bread for passengers, Joughin worked tirelessly. His recollections from the night of April 14, 1912, remain somewhat murky, partially due to disinformation circulating over the years.
Contrary to many tales of whiskey consumption among Titanic survivors, Joughin himself described simply consuming “liquor.” There are intriguing yet conflicting family accounts regarding what he drank—some say schnapps, while others insist he abstained from alcohol altogether. Nevertheless, the cocktail crafted in his honor—derived from a 1910 recipe—harkens back to the type of drink he might likely have savored.
In honor of Joughin, mixologist enthusiasts can try the Murphy cocktail. This specific drink is detailed in 'Jack's Manual' from 1910 and includes:
40% Italian Vermouth
40% Rye Whiskey
20% Sloe Gin
Half a glass of cracked ice
Each ingredient invokes flavors that would have been familiar in 1912. The process is simple: combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well, and serve in a rocks glass filled with cracked ice.
A unique drinking experience awaits those who dare to sample this cocktail. Some find it reminiscent of a Manhattan but with a twist—its sweetness balances out the whiskey's burn. Interestingly, Joughin's imaginative embellishments—such as the polar bear waving to him—add to the drink's whimsical aura, making it truly a toast to an extraordinary life.
Joughin's Courage during the Disaster
As the Titanic struck the iceberg, chaos erupted. Joughin recounted rising from his bunk upon hearing the crash. He quickly took charge of the situation, waking fellow bakers and directing fresh bread to the lifeboats. However, as protocol dictated “women and children first,” he witnessed his assigned lifeboat leave without him.
Despite this setback, Joughin's composure didn't waver. Instead, he ingeniously tossed deck chairs overboard in a bid to create flotation devices for others. His brawn was matched by his unwavering focus on duty, yet the unfolding tragedy demanded improvisation in this perilous scenario.
A Fight for Survival
In one of the most remarkable accounts of survival, Joughin noted that he managed to step off the sinking ship into the icy waters, avoiding drowning despite the ensuing panic. He treaded water for over two hours, a feat remarkable in its own right, especially considering the freezing temperatures.
During this ordeal, while some theorized that alcohol retained warmth in his system—a notion scientifically contested—Joughin found himself clinging to hope as dawn broke. In an extraordinary twist of fate, he spotted an overturned lifeboat with survivors clinging on, ultimately reaching safety with their help.
The Spirit of Resilience
Joughin’s story is not only one of survival but also reflects the complexities of human experiences during disasters. His conflicting narratives, amusing exaggerations, and unwavering resolve offer rich insights into the psyche of a man who would go on to survive the unthinkable.
Witty tales of polar bears aside, the legacy of Charles Joughin remains impactful, symbolizing resilience during one of the sea's most infamous tragedies.
While many questions linger about the exact details of that night, one thing is clear: Charles Joughin's courage and resourcefulness remained steadfast amid chaos. As we celebrate his legacy with a Murphy cocktail in hand, we are reminded of the ordinary individuals who rose to extraordinary challenges, crafting stories interwoven with the fabric of history.
So next time you find yourself contemplating the Titanic's journey, consider raising a glass to its head baker, savoring the flavors of a bygone era as you reflect on the indomitable spirit of survival. Cheers!
Part 1/7:
The Story of Charles Joughin and the Murphy Cocktail: An Ode to the Titanic's Head Baker
The tragedy of the Titanic remains a poignant chapter in maritime history, seen through symbolic tales of heroism and human folly. Among the legacies of that fateful night is the intriguing story of Charles Joughin, the ship's head baker. His tale transcends mere survival; it's laced with peculiar anecdotes, including the apocryphal tale of Joughin mistakenly believing he saw a polar bear near the iceberg. This article explores both the life of Joughin and a fitting tribute in the form of the Murphy cocktail, a drink he might have enjoyed on that historic night.
The Enigma of Charles Joughin
Part 2/7:
Born in 1878 in Birkenhead, just outside Liverpool, Charles Joughin served as the Titanic's head baker at the tender age of 33. With an essential role of ensuring fresh bread for passengers, Joughin worked tirelessly. His recollections from the night of April 14, 1912, remain somewhat murky, partially due to disinformation circulating over the years.
Contrary to many tales of whiskey consumption among Titanic survivors, Joughin himself described simply consuming “liquor.” There are intriguing yet conflicting family accounts regarding what he drank—some say schnapps, while others insist he abstained from alcohol altogether. Nevertheless, the cocktail crafted in his honor—derived from a 1910 recipe—harkens back to the type of drink he might likely have savored.
Part 3/7:
The Murphy Cocktail: A Historical Recipe
In honor of Joughin, mixologist enthusiasts can try the Murphy cocktail. This specific drink is detailed in 'Jack's Manual' from 1910 and includes:
40% Italian Vermouth
40% Rye Whiskey
20% Sloe Gin
Half a glass of cracked ice
Each ingredient invokes flavors that would have been familiar in 1912. The process is simple: combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well, and serve in a rocks glass filled with cracked ice.
Part 4/7:
A unique drinking experience awaits those who dare to sample this cocktail. Some find it reminiscent of a Manhattan but with a twist—its sweetness balances out the whiskey's burn. Interestingly, Joughin's imaginative embellishments—such as the polar bear waving to him—add to the drink's whimsical aura, making it truly a toast to an extraordinary life.
Joughin's Courage during the Disaster
As the Titanic struck the iceberg, chaos erupted. Joughin recounted rising from his bunk upon hearing the crash. He quickly took charge of the situation, waking fellow bakers and directing fresh bread to the lifeboats. However, as protocol dictated “women and children first,” he witnessed his assigned lifeboat leave without him.
Part 5/7:
Despite this setback, Joughin's composure didn't waver. Instead, he ingeniously tossed deck chairs overboard in a bid to create flotation devices for others. His brawn was matched by his unwavering focus on duty, yet the unfolding tragedy demanded improvisation in this perilous scenario.
A Fight for Survival
In one of the most remarkable accounts of survival, Joughin noted that he managed to step off the sinking ship into the icy waters, avoiding drowning despite the ensuing panic. He treaded water for over two hours, a feat remarkable in its own right, especially considering the freezing temperatures.
Part 6/7:
During this ordeal, while some theorized that alcohol retained warmth in his system—a notion scientifically contested—Joughin found himself clinging to hope as dawn broke. In an extraordinary twist of fate, he spotted an overturned lifeboat with survivors clinging on, ultimately reaching safety with their help.
The Spirit of Resilience
Joughin’s story is not only one of survival but also reflects the complexities of human experiences during disasters. His conflicting narratives, amusing exaggerations, and unwavering resolve offer rich insights into the psyche of a man who would go on to survive the unthinkable.
Witty tales of polar bears aside, the legacy of Charles Joughin remains impactful, symbolizing resilience during one of the sea's most infamous tragedies.
Part 7/7:
Conclusion: Raise a Glass to History
While many questions linger about the exact details of that night, one thing is clear: Charles Joughin's courage and resourcefulness remained steadfast amid chaos. As we celebrate his legacy with a Murphy cocktail in hand, we are reminded of the ordinary individuals who rose to extraordinary challenges, crafting stories interwoven with the fabric of history.
So next time you find yourself contemplating the Titanic's journey, consider raising a glass to its head baker, savoring the flavors of a bygone era as you reflect on the indomitable spirit of survival. Cheers!