Princess Anne Of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Princess Anne of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg (german: link=no, Anne Prinzessin zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg; née Lady Anne Savile; 25 May 1864 – 31 August 1927) was an English socialite and aviation
patron Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings, popes, and the wealthy have provided to artists su ...
and
enthusiast In modern usage, enthusiasm refers to intense enjoyment, interest, or approval expressed by a person. The term is related to playfulness, inventiveness, optimism and high energy. The word was originally used to refer to a person possessed by G ...
. Anne was the second woman both to attempt and to perish in a transatlantic aircraft flight. Through her marriage to Prince Ludwig of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg, Anne was a Princess of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg and a member of the Princely House of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg.


Family

Anne was born on 25 May 1864 in London, England, a daughter of
John Savile, 4th Earl of Mexborough John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...
, and his second wife Agnes Louisa Elizabeth Raphael.


Marriage

Anne married Prince Ludwig of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg, eighth child and sixth son of Wilhelm,
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg, and his first wife, Countess Olga Klara of Schönburg-Forderglauchau, on 15 May 1897 in London. Anne and Ludwig were distantly related (7th cousins), as both were descendants of
Sir ''Sir'' is a formal honorific address in English for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages. Both are derived from the old French "Sieur" (Lord), brought to England by the French-speaking Normans, and which now exist in French only as ...
Henry Garraway Sir Henry Garway or Garraway (died July 1646) was an English merchant who was Lord Mayor of London in 1639. Garaway was the son of Sir William Garraway, farmer of the customs. Garraway was a city of London merchant and a member of the Worshipful ...
, who served as
Lord Mayor of London The Lord Mayor of London is the mayor of the City of London and the leader of the City of London Corporation. Within the City, the Lord Mayor is accorded precedence over all individuals except the sovereign and retains various traditional powe ...
. Following their marriage, she became a citizen of the
German Empire The German Empire (),Herbert Tuttle wrote in September 1881 that the term "Reich" does not literally connote an empire as has been commonly assumed by English-speaking people. The term literally denotes an empire – particularly a hereditary ...
. In addition to her "personal charms," Anne brought a great fortune to the marriage. Anne's husband Ludwig mysteriously disappeared within a year of their marriage in the
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
during the
Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...
, where he was killed during fighting between Emilio Aguinaldo-led
insurgent An insurgency is a violent, armed rebellion against authority waged by small, lightly armed bands who practice guerrilla warfare from primarily rural base areas. The key descriptive feature of insurgency is its asymmetric warfare, asymmetric na ...
s and the
United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
in the
Battle of Caloocan The Battle of Caloocan was one of the opening engagements of the Philippine–American War, and was fought between a U.S. force under the command of Arthur MacArthur Jr. and Filipino defenders commanded by Antonio Luna in 1899. American troops ...
of the
Philippine–American War The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...
. She was notified of her husband Ludwig's death through the
United States Embassy The United States has the second most diplomatic missions of any country in the world after Mainland China, including 166 of the 193 member countries of the United Nations, as well as observer state Vatican City and non-member countries Kosovo a ...
in London. Anne regained her British nationality in 1918 following
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
.


Anti-seasick bed

Before the outbreak of World War I, Anne continued to regularly visit the United States. On one such occasion in January 1913, she arrived on the White Star
liner A low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER) is a type of galactic nucleus that is defined by its spectral line emission. The spectra typically include line emission from weakly ionized or neutral atoms, such as O, O+, N+, and S+. ...
SS ''Majestic'' to New York City from
Southampton Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...
. Accompanied by her secretary, Hughes Massie, Anne brought with her an "automatic balancing bed" of her own invention which she had declared prevented
sea sick Motion sickness occurs due to a difference between actual and expected motion. Symptoms commonly include nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, headache, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite, and increased salivation. Complications may rarely include de ...
ness.


Aviation enthusiast

Anne began flying as a passenger aboard aircraft in 1914. She then befriended Captain
Leslie Hamilton Flying Officer Leslie Hamilton , was a British First World War flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He disappeared while attempting the first non-stop east–west flight across the Atlantic Ocean. His Fokker F.VIIa, named ''St. Rapha ...
, a
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually co ...
nicknamed the "Flying Gypsy." Anne was a passenger when Hamilton flew in the 1923
King's Cup Race The King's Cup air race is a British handicapped cross-country event, which has taken place annually since 1922. It is run by the Royal Aero Club Records Racing and Rally Association. The King's Cup is one of the most prestigious prizes of the ...
. During her participation as a passenger in aviation events, she usually flew under her maiden name, "Lady Anne Savile". In 1922, Anne rode as a passenger in her own aircraft in a cup race from
Croydon Croydon is a large town in south London, England, south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a local government district of Greater London. It is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater London, with an extensi ...
to
Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
, Scotland. In 1925, she and Hamilton attempted a flight from London to Paris. Following their departure, their aircraft was not seen after it passed
Folkestone Folkestone ( ) is a port town on the English Channel, in Kent, south-east England. The town lies on the southern edge of the North Downs at a valley between two cliffs. It was an important harbour and shipping port for most of the 19th and 20t ...
and a search of the
English Channel The English Channel, "The Sleeve"; nrf, la Maunche, "The Sleeve" (Cotentinais) or ( Jèrriais), (Guernésiais), "The Channel"; br, Mor Breizh, "Sea of Brittany"; cy, Môr Udd, "Lord's Sea"; kw, Mor Bretannek, "British Sea"; nl, Het Kana ...
was begun. After an all-night search, the aircraft was found near
Pontoise Pontoise () is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris, in the " new town" of Cergy-Pontoise. Administration Pontoise is the official ''préfecture'' (capital) of the Val-d'Oise ''dépa ...
, a northwest suburb of Paris, where it had been forced down due to engine trouble.


Transatlantic flight and disappearance

In 1927, Anne financed Captain
Leslie Hamilton Flying Officer Leslie Hamilton , was a British First World War flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He disappeared while attempting the first non-stop east–west flight across the Atlantic Ocean. His Fokker F.VIIa, named ''St. Rapha ...
's attempt to set an aviation record by being the first aviator to fly over the Atlantic Ocean from east to west from England to Canada. Against her relatives' protests, including those of her brother John Horace Savile, 5th Earl of Mexborough, she decided to join Hamilton's expedition as a passenger because she had dreamed of becoming the first woman to "fly the sea". Anne, Captain Hamilton, and Colonel Frederick F. Minchin took off from the
aerodrome An aerodrome (Commonwealth English) or airdrome (American English) is a location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve air cargo, passengers, or neither, and regardless of whether it is for publ ...
at
Upavon Upavon is a rural village and civil parish in the county of Wiltshire, England. As its name suggests, it is on the upper portion of the River Avon which runs from north to south through the village. It is on the north edge of Salisbury Plain ...
, Wiltshire at 7:32 a.m. on 31 August 1927 in a large
Fokker F.VII The Fokker F.VII, also known as the Fokker Trimotor, was an airliner produced in the 1920s by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker, Fokker's American subsidiary Atlantic Aircraft Corporation, and other companies under licence. Design and d ...
monoplane A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes. A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...
powered by a 450 hp Bristol Jupiter engine known as the ''Saint Raphael'' bound for
Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...
. For the historic flight, Anne was dressed in royal purple to demonstrate what style of clothing she felt women should wear during a transatlantic flight. Her wardrobe consisted of purple leather
knee-breeches Breeches ( ) are an article of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles. Formerly a standard item of Western men's cl ...
, a matching jacket, a black crush hat, black silk stockings, and high-heeled fur-lined
boot A boot is a type of footwear. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle, while some also cover some part of the lower calf. Some boots extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is cle ...
s. Anne's flying suit was similar to those she had worn in previous cup races. The
Archbishop of Cardiff The Archbishop of Cardiff is the ordinary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff.blessed Blessed may refer to: * The state of having received a blessing * Blessed, a title assigned by the Roman Catholic Church to someone who has been beatified Film and television * ''Blessed'' (2004 film), a 2004 motion picture about a supernatural ...
the aircraft and its occupants, and following the blessing, Anne discarded her coat and boarded the aircraft. The ''Saint Raphael'' headed west from the coast of Ireland and was last seen by the crew of the SS ''Josiah Macy''. Around 6a.m. the next morning the Dutch steamer SS ''Blijdendijik'' reported seeing a white light travelling eastward in the sky when about 420 miles east-south-east of New York, which, if it were ''St. Raphael'', was far to the south of its intended route, suggesting that they were lost. The aircraft was never seen again. Wireless communications with all points along the coast of
Labrador , nickname = "The Big Land" , etymology = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Canada , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 ...
failed to find any trace of the ''Saint Raphael'' following its disappearance in flight. Further searches failed to yield signs of the aircraft and its crew, and by 5 September, the remaining hope was that fish-carrying steamers or
whaler A whaler or whaling ship is a specialized vessel, designed or adapted for whaling: the catching or processing of whales. Terminology The term ''whaler'' is mostly historic. A handful of nations continue with industrial whaling, and one, Japa ...
s had rescued Anne, Hamilton, and Minchin after the ''Saint Raphael'' plunged into the ocean, as it was supposed. On 5 September, Anne's brothers, Earl Mexborough and the Honorable George Savile, announced that they believed their sister had died at sea along with Captain Hamilton and Colonel Minchin. Despite no signs of the ''Saint Raphael'' or its crew, it is presumed that Anne, Hamilton, and Minchin perished on 31 August 1927 in the North Atlantic Ocean near Labrador and Newfoundland.Roseberry, C.R. (1966), ''The Challenging Skies: The Colorful Story of Aviation's Most Exciting Years, 1919-1939'', p. 121. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc. Savile family friend Princess Blücher von Wahlstatt told the
United Press United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20t ...
that " nne'sbrothers did their best to dissuade her from the unnecessary adventure, but she was bent on going and refused to be dissuaded." At the time of her death, Anne was the second woman to disappear in an attempted transoceanic flight in nearly two weeks; the first was
Mildred Doran Mildred Alice Doran (10 May 1905 – 16 August 1927) was a Canadian aviation enthusiast who was the only woman to enter the Dole Air Race in 1927, created to be the first to fly from California to Hawaii. During the race, she and several other ...
, who had been participating in the
Dole Air Race The Dole Air Race, also known as the Dole Derby, was a deadly air race across the Pacific Ocean from Oakland, California to Honolulu in the Territory of Hawaii held in August 1927. There were eighteen official and unofficial entrants; fifteen of ...
from
Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast of the United States, West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third ...
, to Hawaii. In 1928, the Ontario Surveyor General named a number of lakes in the northwest of the province to honour aviators who had perished during 1927, mainly in attempting oceanic flights. p 14. The main lake so named is St Raphael Lake () named for the ''Saint Raphael''; similarly-named lakes in the same general vicinity include Hamilton Lake (), Minchin Lake () and Wertheim Lake (), which commemorates Anne. Anne was presumed dead by a court order made in London on 6 February 1928; she died intestate and left an estate valued at £28,265 (gross) and net personal property of £20,371. A large memorial plaque commemorating the fateful flight and dedicated to Anne, Captain Hamilton and Colonel Minchin hangs in St Raphael's church,
Kingston upon Thames Kingston upon Thames (hyphenated until 1965, colloquially known as Kingston) is a town in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, southwest London, England. It is situated on the River Thames and southwest of Charing Cross. It is notable as ...
.


Ancestry


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anne Of Lowenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg, Princess 1864 births 1927 deaths Aviation pioneers Daughters of Irish earls English aviators English inventors House of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg People declared dead in absentia Socialites from London Princesses of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg Savile family Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in international waters Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1927 Women inventors British women aviators