Monday, 22 July, 2002 14:00 BST
Disaster and aftermath | |
|  | | A reconstruction of the gatherings of relatives at Canute Chambers |
| | 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. |
| | | "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 |
 | 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.
 | 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.
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 |
"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 |
With so many families affected by the tradgedy, the local authorities had to provide for the widows and orphans.
"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 |
 | 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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