You’ll find all kinds of interesting people buried in New Jersey graveyards including Walt Whitman, Grover Cleveland, Joey Ramone, and Whitney Houston, to name a few. One of the most fascinating people to be buried in New Jersey, however, is someone whose name you likely don’t know — even if you saw part of his story play out in one of the most famous movies of all time.

The sinking of the RMS Titanic is probably the most famous maritime disaster of all time.
MR1805 via Getty Images
The ship, which was headed from England to America, was on its maiden voyage and touted for its advanced safety measures.
But the luxury ocean liner met its doom when it struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912.
MR1805 via Getty Images
Over 1,500 died, as the Titanic didn't have enough lifeboats. Many drowned or froze to death in the icy waters.
The last known person to leave the ship and survive is actually buried in a New Jersey graveyard.
Unknown Author/Wikimedia
That person is Charles Joughin, the ship's chief baker. You can find his grave in Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson, New Jersey.

Related Stories

Travel Back To The 1800s By Visiting New Jersey's Very Own Historic Village

Travel Back To The 1800s By Visiting New Jersey's Very Own Historic Village

 The Terrifying, Deadly Airship Crash In New Jersey That Will Never Be Forgotten

The Terrifying, Deadly Airship Crash In New Jersey That Will Never Be Forgotten

 A Gorgeous Train Depot Was Built And Left To Decay On New Jersey's Waterfront

A Gorgeous Train Depot Was Built And Left To Decay On New Jersey's Waterfront
Joughin was off-duty and asleep when the collision woke him up. He headed to the kitchen to make bread and other provisions for the lifeboats. Afterward, he assisted in getting people on lifeboats.
MOF via Getty Images
He was assigned a lifeboat, but it had already had a crew. Instead, he ended up going and having some alcohol - a choice that maybe saved his life.
As the Titanic started actually sinking to its doom, Joughin was at the very tip top that was pointing toward the sky. He managed to hold on as the ship went down into the water like it was an elevator.
Unknown Author/Wikimedia
He then floated and treaded water for two hours, an unusually long time to survive in the freezing waters. He would later claim he wasn't very cold — potentially because of the alcohol.
Eventually, a lifeboat was able to rescue him from the water. He survived with only swollen feet.
Charles Dixon/Wikimedia
Joughin ended up relocating to New Jersey, where he remarried and lived until 1956.

In the iconic movie “Titanic,” Joughin can be seen — he’s played by actor Liam Tuohy. You can see him drinking a flask and throwing chairs into the water to be a flotation device, just like in real life.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore New Jersey

Featured Addresses
Cedar Lawn Cemetery, 200 McLean Blvd, Paterson, NJ 07504, USA