Sometimes I feel as if I am too free with my impact words, like "incredible", and "rare"... This, however, is a case where such words don't go far enough. This is an incredible and exceptionally rare original, and previously unknown photograph that changes what we know about Carpathia's rescue of Titanic's survivors.
It shows Titanic's lower class rescued passengers trying to warm themselves huddled atop Carpathia's aft engine room ventilated hatch - an area usually off limits to passengers. Visible in the photograph is a crying woman with handkerchief held to her eyes, wet clothing slung over the railings, multiple White Star Line tartan deck blankets intermixed with Cunard Line's dark blue blankets, and even the hint of a very recognizable Titanic lifebelt being used as a pillow.
This exact area would later be photographed upon Carpathia's arrival in New York City, showing a multitude of Titanic lifebelts stacked in a corner.
- Inventory Number: 401R.2024.004