Monday,
22 July, 2002 14:00 BST
Disaster and aftermath |
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reconstruction of the gatherings of relatives at Canute Chambers |
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The
sinking of the Titanic was the largest maritime disaster to ever hit
any one city.
Of the crew, 724 lived within the Southampton area. Of this number,
only 175 returned home to their friends and families. |
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"Southampton
remained a town in a state of shock. Flags flew at half mast,
condolence notices filled the local newspapers and a memorial
service was held at St Mary`s Church on 20th April."
Titanic Voices , p250
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Relatives
leaving White Star offices in London
Titanic Voices, p170 |
Relatives
of crew and passengers in Southampton were left in a state of confusion
as conflicting reports about the fate of the Titanic began to filter
back to the city.
When the full horror became apparent, crew members' families gathered
in front of Canute Chambers - the offices of White Star Line - anxious
for news of survivors.
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Northam
School
Log Book 1898-1914
Southampton City Council
Archives Service |
For areas like Chapel, Northam and St Marys, where many of the 'below
deck' crewmen lived, the impact was devistating.
In one school in Northam, 120 out of the 240 children on the roll
lost their father.
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1912,
May 23rd. The Mayor visited this department this morning
to see the orphans of the Titanic victims.
1913, April 15th. Today being the anniversary of the Titanic
disaster, a great many girls are away on account of mothers'
illness and grief in the homes upsetting the children -
It is a sad echo of last year."
Northam Girl's School log book
Southampton City Council
Archives Service
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"The
scenes in some part of the town were heartrending. Nearly
a thousand families are directly concerned in the fate
of the crew alone, and in most cases the only breadwinner
of the family is lost.
In
some of the poorer streets, where firemen and seafarers
live in large numbers very sad sights have been witnessed....In
some streets nearly every house is represented on board
the Titanic, and the manner in which bereaved women fasten
on to the faintest glimmer of fresh intelligence is painfully
pathetic. This is the greatest disaster that Southampton
has ever known."
Titanic From Rare Historical Reports
p47
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With
so many families affected by the tradgedy, the local authorities
had to provide for the widows and orphans.
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"The
Mayor of Southampton has sent the following message to
the Lord Mayor of London :- 'I propose opening a relief
fund for distressed dependant's of the crew of the the
Titanic, the majority of whom reside in Southampton. May
I appeal for your cordial co-operation?'"
Henry Bowyer Daily Mail ,17 April.
Titanic From Rare Historical Reports Limited Collectors
p56
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Titanic
Relief Fund payment cheque for
£1.10s, 20th Feburary 1917
Peter Boyd-Smith at Cobwebs |
The
RMS Titanic Relief Fund was raised by public subscription upon
the invitation of the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
It was intended for the aid and relief of the widows, orphans
and dependent relatives of the persons, whether crew or passengers,
who lost their lives by reason of the foundering in the Atlantic
Ocean on the 15th April, 1912, of the steamship Titanic
The Titanic Relief Fund Scheme of Administration
Many dependants now found themselves in a position of need and
so applied to the fund committee for help.
Continued...
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