The Story of the Wreck of the Titanic : Eyewitness Accounts From 1912

Published in the immediate wake of the famous maritime disaster , this "graphic and thrilling account of the sinking of the greatest Floating Palace ever built" sold briskly to an eager public. A century later, its tragic tale continues to captivate readers. These contemporary reports describe the luxury liner, its passengers, and the circumstances of the wreck. Gripping narratives by survivors recount episodes of heroism and cowardice along with dramatic rescues and moving incidents of self-sacrifice. In addition to chronicling the wide-ranging outpouring of grief and the establishment of many memorials, this fascinating compilation presents expert analysis of the shipwreck's causes and the findings of a Senate investigation convened to determine responsibility for the catastrophe. Historic photographs and specially commissioned drawings appear throughout the book. Preface I. The Two Titans II. Story of the Titanic III. Spur of Iceberg Ripped Open Bottom of Titanic IV. Thrilling Story of the Wreck V. Rescue of the Survivors VI. Survivors Reach New York VII. Last Man Off Tells Horrors of Shipwreck VIII. Heroism on the Titanic IX. Thrilling Experiences of Survivors X. Sorrow and Honor and Memory Equal XI. The Responsibility for Fatal Speed XII. Other Contributing Causes of the Disaster XIII. More of the Tragedy XIV. Oddities of the Wreck XV. The Terror of the Seas, By Fred S. Miller XVI. Heroes at the Post of Duty XVII. W. T. Stead, Scholar, Dreamer and Humanitarian XVIII. Many Memorials for Titanic Tragedy XIX. Stories of the Rescued XX. Survivors’ Stories Continued XXI. On the Roll of Honor XXII. Comments of the Press XXIII. Great Marine Disasters in Recent Years XXIV. The Tragedy of the Sea, By Rev. Andrew Johnson XXV. Help for Titanic Sufferers XXVI. Some Pathetic Features of the Tragedy XXVII. Some Fortunate Circumstances XXVIII. Various Descriptions of How the Titanic Disappeared XXIX. U.S. Senators Obtain Facts of Wreck XXX. Investigation Continued XXXI. The Investigation in Washington XXXII. Senate Committee Examines Lookout and Passengers XXXIII. Members of Ship’s Crew on Stand XXXIV. The Bereft in the Boats, By Fred S. Miller XXXV. Titanic’s Dead Brought Back As the original title page proudly proclaims, A Graphic and Thrilling Account of the Sinking of the Greatest Floating Palace Ever Built, Carrying Down to Watery Graves More Than 1,500 Souls; Giving Exciting Escapes from Death and Acts of Heroism Not Equaled in Ancient or Modern times, Told by the Survivors. Indeed, of all the “instant books” published after the sinking of the Titanic, this one best captures the spirit of the times, and of the public reaction to the disaster. Alongside the harrowing accounts of survivors and their testimony before the Senate investigation, there are chapters of newspaper editorials and sermons preached by prominent clergy. Thus we find that even a hundred years ago, opinion columns were despairing of the modern need for speed, and were calling for stern regulation of the new-fangled “Marconigrams” (radio), while churchmen lauded the spirit of “women and children first,” and preached on “How Shall We View God in the Light of Such a Disaster.” The influence of newspapers on public opinion is also shown in the illustrations, which include many editorial cartoons reacting to the disaster. An essential book for studying the historiography of the Titanic.