Titanic Disaster British National Archives Documents

Description

The British National Archives hold an extensive collection of 1,175 pages of records related to the Titanic disaster.

These documents span from the years 1909 to 1925 and include files from various British governmental bodies such as the Titanic Board of Enquiry, the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Transport, Treasury Solicitor, Public Trustee Office, Foreign Office, Cabinet Office, National Savings Committee, and the Post Office Law Officers’ Department.

The collection comprises several significant document series:

Document EXT 11/136 encompasses the “Loss of Titanic,” which is the official report produced by the Court of Inquiry investigating the sinking of the S.S. Titanic. This report has been extracted from the Public Record Office under serial BT 13/50.

Document BT 334/52 contains a register specifically listing deceased passengers from the Titanic disaster, providing vital information regarding those who perished during the tragic event.

Document BT 334/53 serves as a register for deceased seamen, detailing information relevant to the sailors lost in the Titanic tragedy.

Document BT 15/63 includes a list of personal belongings discovered on the bodies of deceased Titanic crew members. It also addresses matters relating to unpaid wages owed to the estates of crew members who unfortunately did not survive the voyage.

Document MT 15/504 features blueprints that illustrate the deck plans for both the Olympic and Titanic ships.

Document MT 9/920/347A pertains to the Titanic Wreck Enquiry, showcasing observations made by Captain Stanley Lord and the commission’s findings regarding the position of his ship, the SS Californian, during the time of the Titanic’s sinking. Additionally, this document includes a handwritten letter from Captain Lord discussing his actions on the night of the Titanic disaster. The records indicate that he was compelled to resign by his employer and sought assistance from the Board in presenting his behavior that night in a more positive manner to both his employer and the public. Notably, Captain Stanley Lord was in command of the SS Californian, which was located near the RMS Titanic during its fateful last hours. MT 9/4469 Inquiry about the monetary awards and medals given to the crew of the Carpathia, including specific details on Captain A.H. Rostron’s commendations for his efforts in aiding Titanic survivors. The RMS Carpathia, which belonged to the Cunard Line, reached the site of the Titanic disaster at 4:00 AM on April 15, 1912, after successfully maneuvering through perilous ice-laden waters. This ship managed to rescue 705 individuals from the lifeboats that had been launched from the sinking Titanic. In recognition of his bravery and leadership, Captain Rostron was honored with a knighthood by King George V. Additionally, U.S. President Taft awarded him a Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony held at the White House, marking it as the highest accolade that the United States Congress could bestow.

TS 27/21 Discussion on compensation measures for the families of Post Office employees who perished during the sinking of the SS Titanic.

T 1/11470 Arrangements for compensating the dependents of postal workers who lost their lives in the Titanic disaster.

T 1/11444 The Public Trustee Office maintains a ledger detailing the expenditure related to the “Titanic Fund,” as compiled by the Stationery Office.

FO 244/801 The British Foreign Office’s communications with the German Embassy and various consulates concerning the Titanic tragedy and the subsequent international treaties that emerged from the event.

NSC 9/1016 Correspondence from the National Savings Committee regarding the handling of widow’s grants funded by the Daily Telegraph’s “Titanic Relief Fund.”

CAB 41/33/46 A memorandum dated April 16, 1912, from the Cabinet Office under British Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith, discussing topics such as the Titanic incident, the coal industry, the Government of Ireland Bill, a committee evaluating industrial unrest—especially in transport and distribution sectors—and the Welsh Church Bill.

CAB 41/33/47 A memorandum from the Cabinet Office dated April 25, 1912, under Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith, addressing matters related to the Titanic.

LO 3/410 Legal opinions from the Post Office Law Officers’ Department concerning the Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1906, particularly regarding J.R.J. Smith and B Williamson, employees of the Post Office who tragically lost their lives in the Titanic accident. BT 100/249 includes the records of shipping and maritime personnel, specifically focusing on agreements and crew lists categorized under Series III for the vessel Olympic. This documentation pertains to the voyage that took place in March 1912, during which a significant number of the crew members from the Olympic subsequently joined the Titanic.

BT 100/156 consists of similar records related to the Registry of Shipping and Seamen, also detailing agreements and crew lists under Series III, but this time for the ship Carpathia. This record encompasses the events of April 1912, when the Carpathia played a crucial role in rescuing the survivors after the tragic sinking of the Titanic.

Titanic Disaster Timeline

1909-1911:

• Construction of the RMS Titanic and her sister ship, the RMS Olympic, takes place. (Source: Documents from BT 100/249 mention the Olympic’s journey in March 1912, crewed by many who would later join the Titanic.)

April 1912:

• April 10: RMS Titanic departs Southampton, England, on her maiden voyage to New York City.
• April 14:11:40 PM: Titanic strikes an iceberg in the North Atlantic.
• Early Morning Hours (April 15th): The Titanic sinks, resulting in the loss of over 1,500 lives. The RMS Carpathia, under the command of Captain Arthur Rostron, arrives at the scene and rescues over 700 survivors. (Source: MT 9/4469 details Rostron’s actions and subsequent awards.)

Post-Disaster:

• April 16, 1912: British Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith’s cabinet discusses the Titanic disaster alongside other pressing matters. (Source: Cabinet Office memorandum CAB 41/33/46)
• April 25, 1912: Further discussions regarding the Titanic occur in the British Cabinet. (Source: CAB 41/33/47)
• Immediate Aftermath:The British Board of Trade launches a formal inquiry into the sinking, led by the Titanic Board of Enquiry. (Source: EXT 11/136)
• A register of deceased passengers and seamen is compiled. (Source: BT 334/52 and BT 334/53)
• The personal effects of deceased crew members are cataloged, and efforts are made to distribute unpaid wages to their estates. (Source: BT 15/63)
• The Wreck Enquiry investigates the actions of Captain Stanley Lord of the SS Californian, scrutinizing his potential role in the tragedy and his claims about the ship’s position relative to the Titanic. (Source: MT 9/920/347A)
• Ongoing Impacts:International agreements related to maritime safety are negotiated in response to the disaster, with correspondence between the British Foreign Office and German officials documented. (Source: FO 244/801)
• Compensation for dependents of deceased Post Office employees lost on the Titanic is addressed, including legal opinions regarding the Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1906. (Source: TS 27/21, T 1/11470, and LO 3/410)
• The “Titanic Fund,” likely a charitable fund for survivors and victims’ families, is managed, with the Stationery Office keeping records of its expenses. (Source: T 1/11444)
• The Daily Telegraph’s “Titanic Relief Fund” provides widows’ grants, and the National Savings Committee participates in administering payments. (Source: NSC 9/1016)

1925:

• The documented period covered by the British National Archives files related to the Titanic disaster ends. (Source: “Titanic Disaster British National Archives Documents – Download” lists the file dates as spanning from 1909 to 1925.)

Cast of Characters

Key Individuals:

• Captain Edward John Smith: Captain of the RMS Titanic. Died in the sinking.
• Captain Arthur Rostron: Captain of the RMS Carpathia. Credited with saving hundreds of Titanic survivors. Knighted by King George V and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States. (Source: MT 9/4469)
• Captain Stanley Lord: Captain of the SS Californian, a ship in the vicinity of the Titanic on the night of the sinking. His actions were scrutinized, and he faced accusations of failing to assist the Titanic despite its distress signals. (Source: MT 9/920/347A)
• Herbert Henry Asquith: British Prime Minister during the Titanic disaster. (Source: Cabinet Office memoranda CAB 41/33/46 and CAB 41/33/47)

Organizations:

• British Board of Trade: Government department responsible for regulating maritime affairs. Conducted the official inquiry into the Titanic disaster. (Source: EXT 11/136)
• Titanic Board of Enquiry: Specific body established to investigate the sinking of the Titanic. (Source: EXT 11/136)
• Post Office Law Officers’ Department: Legal advisors for the British Post Office. Provided opinions on compensation for deceased postal employees lost on the Titanic. (Source: LO 3/410)
• Public Trustee Office: Government agency that, among other duties, manages certain funds and estates. Involved in the “Titanic Fund.” (Source: T 1/11444)
• Foreign Office: Responsible for British foreign relations. Communicated with foreign counterparts regarding the Titanic disaster and subsequent international agreements. (Source: FO 244/801)
• National Savings Committee: Promoted savings and thrift among the British public. Involved in administering widows’ grants from the Daily Telegraph’s “Titanic Relief Fund.” (Source: NSC 9/1016)
• Daily Telegraph: British newspaper that established a relief fund for Titanic survivors and victims’ families. (Source: NSC 9/1016)

Other:

• J.R.J. Smith and B. Williamson: Deceased Post Office employees who lost their lives on the Titanic. Subject of legal opinions regarding compensation for their dependents. (Source: LO 3/410)

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all people mentioned in the sources. The focus is on individuals and organizations playing a central role in the events surrounding the Titanic disaster.