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A Brief Biography of Frederick Fleet
There is one historic night from over 100 years ago that those of us alive today are still aware of. Thanks to documentaries, books, and, of course, movies, the events and people involved in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on the night of 1912 will continue to be remembered for generations.
Frederick Fleet is remembered today for one haunting moment — spotting the iceberg on a cold night, April 14th, 1912, that sank the ship. As one of the ship’s lookouts, he was the first to see the danger that would lead to the death of over 1,500 people. Fleet was not one of those who perished that night, however, although the remainder of his years would be spent haunted by the experience.
Early Life
Frederick Fleet was born on October 15, 1887, in Liverpool, Lancashire, England. His early years were marked by instability. Abandoned by his parents at a young age, Fleet was raised in foster homes and orphanages, never knowing the comfort of a steady family life. These tough beginnings provided him with limited options and forced him into the working world early. As a teenager, he found work as a deck boy, which marked the start of his career at sea. He first worked on liners out of Liverpool. He moved through the ranks, gaining experience on various ships and eventually becoming a qualified seaman.
