Three People Who Survived Multiple Disasters

The other night, I came across something on one of my newsfeeds. It was about a man who survived both the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and then Nagasaki. It made me think about the amount of sheer luck involved despite the mass destruction. I've had a few close calls that could have ended badly in my life, but when I think about this, life is pretty good after all. It doesn't matter if you're being audited, dumped by your romantic partner, paying a fine, or breaking a foot. If you're still breathing and able to go on, it's a good thing, so keep motoring on. I then remembered there was this guy who survived the Titanic, then worked on the Lusitania that got torpedoed and survived. When I was looking him up, I found out about another lady who survived THREE ship sinkings, including the Titanic. Wow, some people have the worst and best luck. All three of these people went on to live fairly long or really long lives, too.

1. Tsutomu Yamaguchi

Lifespan: 1916–2010 (93 years)

The only person officially recognized by Japan as having survived both atomic bombings — Hiroshima and Nagasaki — just three days apart.

Event history

Hiroshima (Aug 6, 1945):  

Yamaguchi was on a business trip for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries when the bomb detonated about 3 km away. He suffered burns, temporary blindness, and ruptured eardrums.

Nagasaki (Aug 9, 1945):  

He returned home the next day and reported to work despite injuries. While describing the Hiroshima blast to his supervisor, the second bomb detonated — again roughly 3 km away. He survived a second time and later developed radiation sickness.

Personal history

Born in Nagasaki, he worked as a draftsman designing oil tankers. After the war, he became a vocal advocate for nuclear disarmament. He lived a long life despite radiation exposure and died at age 93.

2. Violet Jessop

Lifespan: 1887–1971 (84 years)

Nicknamed “Miss Unsinkable,” she survived three major maritime disasters: the Olympic collision, the Titanic sinking, and the Britannic sinking.

Event history

RMS Olympic (1911):  

Working as a stewardess when the ship collided with HMS Hawke. She was unharmed.

RMS Titanic (1912):  

Survived the sinking after helping passengers into lifeboats; she boarded Lifeboat 16 and was rescued by the Carpathia.

HMHS Britannic (1916):  

Serving as a nurse when the ship struck a mine and sank. She escaped by jumping from the ship and narrowly avoided being pulled into the propellers.

Personal history

Born to Irish immigrants in Argentina, she spent her life working at sea for the White Star Line and later the Red Cross. She retired to England and lived quietly until her death at age 84.

3. George William Beauchamp

Lifespan: 1888–1965 (77 years)

A British sailor and fireman who survived both the Titanic (1912) and the Lusitania (1915) — two of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Event history

RMS Titanic (1912):  

Working as a fireman stoker in the engine room when the ship struck the iceberg. He escaped via an engine‑room ladder, helped load Lifeboat 13, and eventually boarded it himself.

RMS Lusitania (1915):  

Serving as a stoker when the ship was torpedoed by a German U‑boat off Ireland. He survived the sinking and later vowed to avoid large ships.

Personal history

Born in Totton, England, he continued working at sea for years before becoming a dockworker in Southampton. Known for his blunt testimony at the Titanic inquiry, he lived to age 77.