A century-old newspaper illustrating the harrowing wait endured by families of Titanic passengers has been uncovered in the back of a wardrobe in England.
The discovery offers a poignant glimpse into the aftermath of the tragedy, which claimed over 1,500 lives when the ship sank in April 1912.
Dated April 20, 1912, this edition of The Daily Mirror features a striking front page showing two women in Southampton, the city from which the Titanic departed, anxiously awaiting the posting of a survivors list.
The headline reads: “One of the thousands of tragedies which made the Titanic wreck the most horrible in the world’s history.”
Launched on April 10, 1912, RMS Titanic was the largest passenger liner of its time and widely regarded as “unsinkable.”
However, just four days into its maiden voyage, the ship collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic at 11:40 p.m. on April 14. The ship sank in less than three hours, with insufficient lifeboats for the roughly 2,220 people aboard.
The newspaper, which had been hidden away for over a century, was unearthed during a house clearance conducted by auctioneers Hansons in Lichfield, Staffordshire. It is believed to have been preserved in a wardrobe for generations.
The front page of the newspaper shows two women desperately awaiting news about their loved ones.
It read, “Of the 903 members of the crew of the Titanic, only 210 have been saved. This means tragedy upon tragedy for Southampton, where the majority of the men lived, for by this appalling disaster mothers have been robbed of sons, wives of husbands and young girls of sweethearts.
“Yesterday was a terrible day in the history of the town, though it put an end to all suspense. A list of the saved was posted outside the White Star offices, and mothers and wives who had been hoping against hope eagerly read the names, only to find their worst fears were realised.
“For some, of course, the list contained glorious news but they hushed their joy in the presence of the terrible grief of their friends and neighbours.”
Inside, the newspaper opens up to a double-page spread showcasing images of those who were on board the ill-fated ship.
Owner of Hansons Auctioneers, Charles Hanson, commented on the discovery in a statement on the firm’s website, noting that the newspaper was found during a routine house clearance. “The paper was found thanks to our elderly client’s grandmother,” Hanson explained. “She kept newspapers marking major events such as the coronation of King George V in 1911 as well as the sinking of the Titanic.”
Hanson described the newspaper, which sold for £34 (about $45) this week, as “a valuable piece of social history,” adding, “This find reminds us of the many bereaved families and friends, heartbroken mothers, fathers and wives.”
