Articles from 1912
The attached three news reports were among some of the very first British magazine notices on the Titanic disaster to be printed. The Spectator editors rejected, even as a possibility, the fact that the great ship had broken in half; they also rejected a number of other observations made by the surviving eyewitnesses.
Sketchy News Reports (The Spectator, 1912) Read More »
A short excerpt from the London Standard concerning the fortitude of the Titanic musicians:
We are usually a undemonstrative people, but the incident of the string band of the Titanic, it’s members gathered together to play the hymn Nearer My God to Thee, as the great ship settled for her last plunge, left men speechless with pity. It is a great incident of history, worthy to rank with the last parade on Birkenhead
Attached you will also find the musical score and lyrics of Nearer My God to Thee.
The Bravery of the Titanic Musicians (Literary Digest, 1912) Read More »
In the attached news report from The Literary Digest you will read an article that is composed of portions from various Christian sermons that were delivered throughout the United States on the Sunday following the Titanic sinking:
…The disease that is gnawing into our civilization are love of money and passion for luxury. Those two combined to sink the Titanic.
Clerical Reasons for the Titanic Disaster (Literary Digest, 1912) Read More »
This article presents a broad survey of 1912 opinions concerning the Titanic sinking from a number of different sources. You’ll read the defensive statements of Joseph Bruce Ismay, the critical remarks made by Carpathia Captain Rostrom, the varying assignments of blame made by newspapers and assorted government swells as well as the broad understanding that wireless communication must become a standard piece of equipment for all ships. Also reported is the news of a mutiny on board the Titanic‘s sister ship, Olympic, which was also furnished with the suspect collapsible lifeboats.
Responsibility for the Titanic Disaster (The Literary Digest, 1912) Read More »
In the final hours of the Titanic‘s life there were examples of heroic self-sacrifice; there were also examples of selfishness and cowardice.
Women and men, stokers and millionaires, crew and passengers, faced the grim enemy with unshaken fortitude and self-control. There were exceptions of course. In a company of 2,300 men and women of all sorts there must be some who show the yellow streak at such a time.
Of the 1,400 passengers, 495 were saved, of whom 202 were first cabin, 115 second cabin and 178 steerage passengers. That is, 35 percent of the passengers and 22 percent of the crew survived.
Digesting the True Horror of the Titanic Disaster (Current Literature, 1912) Read More »
The Titanic disaster was a sad affair on a number of levels; however April 15, 1912 was a great night for the Anglo-Saxon hegemony and the values they held dear. As this piece makes clear, chivalry and other examples of good form were all in place as the great ship went down. It was remembered with pride how even the most pampered of millionaire industrialists stepped aside so that others might have a place on the lifeboats (all except J. Bruce Ismay).
Edwardian Chivalry Upheld as Titanic Went Under (Current Literature, 1912) Read More »
It was not simply the menfolk who maintained the stiff upper lip as Titanic began to take water; many of the women also believed it was there place to suffer in order that others may live.
Many other women had to be almost forced into the boats or wheeled into them.
The Bravery of the Women (Current Literature Magazine, 1912) Read More »
A few lines devoted to those who distinguished themselves that sad evening on Titanic, as well as some thoughts concerning the tune, Autumn -which was performed during the closing moments of the tragedy. The article is accompanied by a photograph of U.S. Army Major Archie Butt (b. 1865), who was remembered for having kept the order during the evacuation.
The Stories of Gallantry (Current Literature Magazine, 1912) Read More »
The British critic, novelist and poet G.K. Chesterton (1874 – 1936) was far more outraged by the American press coverage and the remarks made by the Yankee political classes than by any other aspect of the Titanic.
G.K. Chesterton Comments on the Titanic Disaster (The Bookman, 1912) Read More »
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930) was outraged by the dismissive, bitter comments made by the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1957) regarding the many acts of heroics that took place as the ship was sinking.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Debated G.B. Shaw (The Bookman, 1912) Read More »
