A British newspaper from April 20, 1912, detailing the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, has been discovered in a wardrobe during a house clearance in Staffordshire, England.
The newspaper, which captures the immediate impact of the tragedy, was found by auctioneers Hansons and sold for £34 (about $45) this week.
The front page of the newspaper, The Daily Mirror, features a poignant headline: “One of the thousands of tragedies which made the Titanic wreck the most horrible in the world’s history.” It shows two women in Southampton, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. The report reads: “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.”
The paper describes the grief experienced by the town: “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.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, stated: “The paper was found thanks to our elderly client’s grandmother. 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 as “a valuable piece of social history,” emphasizing the impact of the Titanic disaster on countless lives: “This find reminds us of the many bereaved families and friends, heartbroken mothers, fathers, and wives.”
The Titanic, which struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912, and sank in less than three hours, was considered “unsinkable” and carried approximately 2,220 people. The disaster led to the loss of over 1,500 lives, and the newspaper provides a rare glimpse into the human cost of the tragedy.
