Date of birth: 11th September 1876 Place of birth: Gosport, Hampshire Marital status: Married Age: 35 (in 1912) Spouse: Eliza Jean Glendenning Steele Children: Herbert John Dean(1908–1973), Elizabeth P Dean (1921–1983) Date of death: 6th February 1943 (age 66)
In 1839, Samuel Cunard was awarded the first British transatlantic steamship mail contract, and the next year formed the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company in Glasgow with shipowner Sir George Burns together with Robert Napier, the famous Scottish steamship engine designer and builder, to operate the line's four pioneer paddle steamers on the Liverpool–Halifax–Boston route. For most of the next 30 years, Cunard held the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic voyage. However, in the 1870s Cunard fell behind its rivals, the White Star Line and the Inman Line. To meet this competition, in 1879 the firm was reorganised as the Cunard Steamship Company Ltd, to raise capital. In 1919, Cunard relocated its British homeport from Liverpool to Southampton, to better cater for travellers from London.
(Source: Wikipedia)
First Officer Horace Dean - Death and Legacy
The 1940s, at a time when England was entering the Second World War, also heralded some bad news for 63 year old Horace. In January 1940 his younger sister Gladys (1889–1940) died in Bournemouth, Dorset in the same year he lost his wife - Eliza Jane (Jean) Glendinning Steele(1881–1940).[1.]
By 1941 his address was now a rest home located in Boscombe, Hampshire. According to "Encyclopedia Titanica" he had remarried "to Daisy Emily Wilson (1890-1972) and resettled in Bournemouth where he spent the rest of his life." [2.]
On the 11th of February 1943, 66 year old Horace Dean was recorded as having passed away, with his death taking place in Bournemouth, Dorset. His grave indicates he may have died 5 days before on the 6th February 1943, which is the date also used on the "Encyclopedia Titanica" website.[3.]
Dean was buried in Section G4, Plot 112, in the East Cemetry, Bournemouth, Dorset. At least until 2023 the grave was unmarked, just a vacant plot of ground in the cemetery lost to time. However by 2025 a cross had been planted to mark his grave.
According to FindAGrave, Dean's grave was unmarked from 1943 to 2025 (Credit: FindAGrave photograph by Emma Lane on 25 Nov 2023)
A post on "findagrave.com" states: "There is now a wooden cross that marks his grave, erected 2025, the grave was unmarked from 1943 to 2025." The plaque on the cross reads: "First Officer Horace John Dean Of The Carpathia, Which Rescued Survivors From The Titanic
Died February 6th 1943
Age 66 years old."[4.]
In 2025 a cross was placed to mark Dean's grave. (Credit: "Rob The Gravedigger" on 11 Jul 2025)
Close up of cross plaque arking Dean's grave. (Credit: FindAGrave photograph by "Rob The Gravedigger" on 11 Jul 2025)
Auction
In 2017 Dean's gold carpathia medal was sold at an auction:
Another star of the April 22 sale was an “extremely rare” Dieges and Clust gold Carpathia medal awarded to Horace John Dean, first officer of the Carpathia, which sold to an American collector bidding on the phone for a mid-estimate £29,000.
The medals were awarded for the rescue in the same year to officers and men, in gold (14 medals), silver (110) and bronze (180) according to rank.
Of the gold medals, awarded to the most senior Carpathia crew members, Andrew Aldridge says “only a handful have ever been sold at auction and none from such a senior officer”. Dean’s is the third-highest ranking Carpathia gold.
He adds: “What made this medal even more remarkable was that First Officer Dean's continuous certificates of discharge accompanied it. They documented his career on the high seas - a first for a medal of this importance. The all-important entry for Carpathia’s rescue voyage is the 24th in his second book with Captain Rostron listed as Master with stamped signature.” (Antiques Trade Gazette, 25 Aprl 2017.
Dean's Carpathia medal and discharge book. (Click image to enlarge)
Cinematic portrayals
Gerald Andersen - "A Night to Remember" (1958)
Dean (Gerald Andersen) stands on the bridge (left) as Officer of the Watch, along with the junior Third Officer (Gerald Harper) on the right.
The 1958 British film "A Night to Remember" depicts First Officer Dean in several scenes, notably when wireless operator Cottam first brings the news the Titanic is sinking:
Cottam: There is a distress call just come through! Dean: Who from? Cottam: The Titanic. They've struck a berg! Dean: Is this an April fool's - Cottam: No they want us to come at once, they're sinking! Dean: The Titanic - don't be a fool! Cottam: It's true! I'll go get the captain!
Wireless operator Cottam brings the news to Dean (left) who thinks it is an April Fool joke.
After Cottam bursts into Captain Rostron's (Anthony Bushell) cabin Dean (far right) apologises "I'm sorry sir!"
Captain Rostron (Anthony Bushell) gives his first order to Dean: "Mr Dean, turn the ship around. Head northwest. I will work the course out for you in just a minute."
Later in the film Dean (right) is seen with Rostron at first wondering if the position was wrong then spotting a flare: "There's a flare ahead sir!"
In one of the final scenes of the film Dean is portrayed as on the bridge (far left) along with his former shipmate and senior survivor officer Lightoller (Kenneth More)
Tony Vogel - "S.O.S Titanic" (1979)
First Officer Dean (Tony Vogel, on the left) is shown reacting to the news the Titanic is sinking from wireless operator Cottam. He says: "Sinking? That's impossible! She's unsinkable!"
Captain Rostron's view of Dean and Cottam at his door.
Dean: "Captain, sir, wake up!" Rostron: "I'm awake, I'm awake! I was only just dropping off. Who is this? Dean: "First Officer Dean, sir. Rostron: "Bloody hell Dean. Since when do you push your way here without knocking?! Dean: Sorry sir it is an emergency. Rostron: I don't care a damn what it is. I want to see some discipline on this ship! Dean: Yes sir. I am sorry sir. Rostron: Who is that with you. Dean: It's Cottam sir.
A close up on Dean in Rostron's doorway.
Dean is seen behind Captain Rostron as he gives orders.
Chris Humphreys - "Titanic" (1996 mini-series)
First Officer Dean is shown nervously behind wireless operator Cottam as he bursts into Captain Rostron's cabin.
Dean salutes as Rostron orders the ship to be turned around.
Dean with binoculars as they speed to the scene of the sinking. Note they show Dean in a chief officer's uniform (three stripes).
Dean talking with Rostron as they make progress toward the sinking.
Dean (right) speaking with Rostron on the way to the Titanic.
Rostron salutes Harold Bride, looked on by Dean (right)
Dean standing next to Rostron overlooking the scene of the sinking.
