Nine ties between Liverpool and the Titanic as anniversary marked

Today marks the 112th anniversary of when the Titanic struck an iceberg, which later led to its sinking.

The White Star Line-owned ship was built at Harland & Wolff's main Belfast production yard. A vast project, it required the labour of 3,000 men over a two-year period between 1909 and 1911.

It was then the largest ship in the world and inside was a grand staircase, swimming pool, Turkish bath, smoking room, dining saloon, gymnasium, café, writing room and lounge. The floating palace left Southampton for New York on April 10, 1912.

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However, tragedy hit when the ship sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean after striking an iceberg late on April 14, 1912. It sank two hours and 40 minutes later in the early hours of the following day.

The disaster that befell Titanic was one of the most shocking events of the 20th century and saw more than 1,500 people die. Over a century after she met her doom, Titanic is still the greatest legend in maritime history. And although it never visited, Liverpool can lay claim to be the ship's spiritual home.

Titanic has strong links with her home port and the human tragedy was one felt very deeply in the region. Over the years, descendants of those whose lives were lost have continued to pay tribute.

To mark the 112th anniversary, we take a look back at a number of ties between Liverpool and Titanic that you may not know, with the help of Liverpool's Maritime Museum.

Ian Murphy, head of the Maritime Museum, previously said: "It's important that we remember the Titanic was a real story involving real people. We're all used to the films and the dramatisation of it so for me it's key to remember that these were real lives and families affected.

"It's about bringing the story back to the reality of the time and part of that is those Liverpool connections."

The list is not intended to be comprehensive. But if you feel there is something we should have included, let us know in the comments section.

1. Registration

At the time Liverpool was one of the biggest ports in the world. And although the great liner sailed from Southampton and was built in Belfast, she was conceived and registered here, carrying the city’s name on her stern.

Ian said: "Liverpool was still very much at that time sort of the centre for transatlantic passenger travel. A huge number of British shipping was registered in Liverpool which reflected the position of the port in a way as one of the most influential in the world at that time."

2. The White Star Line

Titanic's managing company, the White Star Line, had its head office in 30 James Street, Liverpool. The building was formerly known as Albion House.

Ian said: "It's important to remember that's where the company was actually based. It wasn't like a branch with the real company being somewhere else.

"That was the heart of the company, so all of the decisions around White Star shipping including the Titanic were kind of made by people in those offices who had really strong Liverpool connections."

The organisation of Titanic's maiden voyage, including the selection of her officers, was overseen by Charles Bartlett, White Star’s marine superintendent at Liverpool. J Bruce Ismay, chairman of the White Star Line, also had a fine house, Sandheys, in Mossley Hill, south Liverpool.

He escaped from Titanic by climbing into one of the last lifeboats to be lowered, but only after helping many other passengers into boats. Ismay’s reputation suffered from his survival of Titanic, especially following his very harsh treatment in the US press.

3. Crew members

The majority of the crew were from the South Coast, but many of the key personnel had Liverpool links. Most of the key officers and crew had originally sailed from Liverpool for White Star and many still lived there in 1912.

Ian said: "We've identified just 100 people with strong Liverpool links. Not all were necessarily from the city, but they were often based here.

"J Bruce Ismay, the head of the White Star line was onboard and his decision-making in a way led to the creation of the ship. The first officer, Henry Wilde, he was from Walton and his family lived in the city, but he died in the sinking leaving behind a very young family."

Captain Smith of Titanic was based on Merseyside for 40 years and lived in Waterloo. In 1908 he moved to Southampton.

Ian said: "He was from Stoke-On-Trent and had sailed all his seafaring life from Liverpool. Smith died on the ship as he stayed on board."

4. The band

The eight heroic musicians in Titanic’s band were recruited by music agents CW and FN Black of 14 Castle Street. Fred Clarke of 22 Tunstall Street, Smithdown Road was bass violinist with the ship's band, who famously kept playing while the Titanic sank.

Ian said: "There's a lot of stories around the Titanic and a lot of kind of myths that have come from films, but the story of the band is true. They kept playing on board to keep people's spirits up in a way whilst people were expecting help to arrive.

"There's something about continuing to do your job to help others that's an indication of the kind of strength of character of a lot of people onboard. The band were absolutely one of them."

5. Rescue mission

The Liverpool-based Cunard liner Carpathia rescued all 705 survivors of the Titanic disaster. Ian said: "Stanley Lord was the captain of Carpathia which was a smaller Cunard liner.

"He contacted Cunard in the city and New York as well, so any telegrams from the ship Carpathia to those areas to let people know about the sinking and the consequences. Captain Lord was from Wirral and is buried in Wallasey."

Do you have any facts about Liverpool's links to Titanic? Let us know in the comments section below.

6. On the lookout

Another tie from the city is Mr Fred Fleet. He was Titanic’s lookout who spotted the iceberg and was originally from Liverpool.

Ian said: "He was one of the lookouts assigned on the evening. He was from Liverpool and grew up in foster homes and orphanages and was sent as a child to a training ship to get a career at sea.

"He was interviewed in later life about the Titanic story and although living in Southampton for decades, he still had a noticeable Liverpool accent. He said he saw the iceberg and they turned the ship thinking they might have missed it. The iceberg had hit the side and caused damage that led to the sinking but his initial response was something like 'I said to my mate that was a close shave'."

7. Scottie Road

The long passageway connecting crew quarters deep below on Titanic was called 'Scotland Road' by the crew. It was probably after the famous Liverpool thoroughfare of that name.

8. Preparations

Titanic’s huge kitchen ranges were made by Henry Wilson and Company, Cornhill Works, Liverpool. Many of the fixtures, fittings and accessories were also sourced from Liverpool firms such as Thomas Utley, of Stoneycroft.

Ian said: "A lot of the brass works, like the port holes and the ship's bell were from a company called Utley's. Another thing was Stonier's who were a Liverpool company and they provided the tableware that was used onboard in the dining rooms so that was supplied through Liverpool as well."

9. Further settlements

Ian said: "'Even after Titanic sank, Liverpool continued as a major port. Liverpool was always a magnet for seafarers.

"It was the centre of shipping and it was where transatlantic shipping happened. It attracted many for decades."

Last September, the ECHO reported how one Able seaman, Thomas Jones, from Cemaes Bay, boarded the Titanic as a member of the deck crew at Southampton. Thomas, then in his thirties, was put in charge of lifeboat number eight and getting 28 people - including women, children and stewards - to safety.

But when he wanted to go back to save more lives, Thomas, who later settled in Liverpool, was "outvoted," despite his lifeboat being able to accommodate over 60 people. Mr Jones later married and settled at 84 Jacob Street, Liverpool 8.

With approval from Liverpool City Council, a plaque was unviled last year in his memory, with help and research from The Cemaes Bay History Group. Members of the history group and descendants of Mr Jones attending for the occasion.

Liverpool's Maritime Museum has a fantastic gallery surrounding The Titanic and Liverpool's links. To find out more about National Museums Liverpool, click here.

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