General
Gold Watch, a Gift From Titanic Survivors, Sells for Nearly $2 Million
The gold watch was given to the captain of the Carpathia, the ship that responded to the Titanic’s distress call and rescued hundreds of people.
It’s a fine gold Tiffany pocket watch. It probably sold for $20 or $30 when it was first purchased in 1912, and Andrew Aldridge, the managing director of the British auction house Henry Aldridge & Son, guessed that such a watch might normally bring about $10,000 at auction today.
On Saturday, it sold for $1.97 million.
Why the big price? The inscription on the watch gives it away: “Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic. April 15th, 1912. Mrs. John B. Thayer, Mrs. John Jacob Astor and Mrs. George D. Widener.”
The sale price is a record for a single piece of Titanic memorabilia, the auction house said.
The epic drama of the Titanic has been often told. But another tale is less known: the story of how another passenger ship, the R.M.S. Carpathia, raced to the rescue.
In the early morning of April 15, 1912, the Carpathia was cruising along on its voyage from New York to destinations in the Mediterranean, including Gibraltar, Genoa and Naples. It was just after midnight when it got the message over the wireless: “Come at once. We have struck a berg.”
The Titanic was 58 miles away, a journey that could take four hours.
The Carpathia’s captain, Arthur Rostron, spoke to the radio operator. “Are you sure it is the Titanic and requires immediate assistance?” he asked, as recounted in the classic narrative “A Night to Remember.” “Yes, sir” was the reply. “You are absolutely certain?” “Quite certain.”
“All right. Tell him we are coming along as fast as we can.”
The Carpathia cracked into action: The crew was roused. Coal was poured in to push the ship as fast as possible. Lifeboats, blankets, first aid, food and drink were readied.
