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. |
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Many families applied for help with school fees and apprenticeship fees.
Gatti no 426 "Owing to delicate health of son Victor Gatti, aged ten years.... The committee has paid from Compassionate fund, fees for education of private school at the rate of £3.6.8d per term (£10 per annum) ….. such payment to continue for remainder of school period at discretion of Southampton Committee."
Southampton Titanic Committee, Minutes book no 2 |
Many applied to the funds because they
had been dependent on their family members' income and many found it necessary to apply to pay for those things that we often take for granted:
Penrose no 551" 8/6 to Miss Penrose. Cost a pair of eye glasses Witts no 272 "That all the Saints Parish relief committee be asked to contribute half the cost of Mrs Fielders artificial teeth." |
Johnson no 698"One Quart of milk per day six eggs to the value of 1/2d per week to be continued to Mrs Johnson (widow) for a further three months.
(To 31 Jan 1915)" |
Jones no 466 "The deceased was a single man aged 20 and the claim is entered on behalf of his brother, a boy aged nine and his sisters both under 12. The father of deceased was a well known musician in Southampton but owing to poverty was not able to maintain his family, prior to the departure of the "Titanic" the boy aged nine was placed under the charge of the matron of Shirley Warren work house, who is allowed to look after him by the guardians. The two little girls are at present being looked after by the Society of Musicians and the Charity Organisation Society and other friends."
Southampton Titanic Committee Minutes book no 2. 1914 |
Because news about the sinking of the Titanic had spread across the world, and as so many people from different countries and classes were affected, a great deal of effort was put into raising money for the Relief Fund.Financial help came from many different sources. Many individuals as well as companies contributed. " All those who can afford it, let them give contribution, large or small, in honour of the illustrious dead, and to show their practical and needed sympathy. It is needed. No matter how small, it will be heartily welcome."
Titanic From Rare Historical Reports, p170 |
 | | Postcards sold to raise moneyfor the relief fund. |
Offers of help came from far and wide and from many different sources irrespective of class or personal income everybody pulled together to raise money in aid of the Titanic Relief Fund. Many commemorative items were made to raise funds.
 | | Gramophone Record "Be British" by Ernest Gray (L Wright) sold in aid of the relief fund |
Local people worked together to arrange musical concerts and other local charity events, everyone worked together to help the families left behind.
Charity record releases are nothing new - gramaphone recordings were also released to add to the coffers of the relief fund.
"Residents and visitors to Hove were surprised yesterday to see a small red motorcar slowly gliding along the front bearing on each side of the car, on the back and on the bonnet, large posters with the words "Titanic Relief Fund". Please assist the widows and orphans. Every little helps. Advertisements on vehicles are strictly forbidden by one of the Hove by-laws, but in view of the large number of people observed to voluntarily stop their car and give donations, it may be gathered that the breach in this case for which, it is understood, permission has been obtained was not resented. The sum collected will be added to the Mayor Of Hove`s Fund."
1912 News cutting, Atlantic Daily Bulletin, Number1, 2001 p10 |
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