Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Centenary of the Titanic Disaster

Titanic

April 15th marks the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic, a passenger liner on her maiden voyage, the largest ship ever at that time, which resulted in the death of over 1,500 people.

The disaster caused worldwide shock and the reports, enquiries, eyewitness accounts, photographs, paintings and books about the event reverberated for decades. Titanic memorials were erected worldwide. The film A Night to Remember of 1958 led to a huge resurgence of interest for another generation. Titanic museums opened all over the world. Then with the rediscovery of the wreck on the seabed in 1985, followed by the blockbuster movie Titanic of 1997, the memory of this tragedy and the fascination with the ship became as potent as ever. Numerous salvage trips to the wreck have led to thousands of artefacts being recovered and put on display at museums around the world. Now with the centenary comes a whole new range of books, film, exhibition and the opening of a multi-million pound Titanic museum in Belfast and the new Seacity museum in Southampton. The Titanic has become a legend and she is likely to remain one of the most famous ships in history.

Southampton was one of the places most deeply affected by the tragedy as many of the crew came from the city and families were left bereft. Southampton had witnessed the wonderful, celebratory launch just four days before. Many people in Ryde had also watched this huge vessel leave the Solent only to hear the devastating, almost unbelievable news so soon after.

The Isle of Wight Observer reported the following:-

Apr 20th 1912: TITANIC DISASTER – The terrible disaster to the Titanic, which passed Ryde only a short while ago, brings to our notice that our own town suffers by her loss. As far as can be ascertained some six men from Ryde were employed on this ill-fated ship, those being men of the name of MOORE, WHEAT, PERKIS (Swanmore), J. WHITE, MILFORD and G. FAIRALL* (Surrey-street). The telegram received on Friday morning by the friends of PERKIS stated that he is amongst those saved.

Apr 20th 1912: LONDON LETTER (From our own correspondent, Wednesday) – Tragedy of the Titanic. The awful tragedy of the Titanic has filled our minds to the exclusion of every other topic during this eventful week, the more so under the peculiar circumstances of the disaster, and the utter loneliness of it. For it must be assumed that the boats in which the survivors were taken off would be unable to watch the final agony at close quarters as the danger of insuction from so vast a ship when she sank would have imperilled even the largest ocean going steamer.

May 4th 1912: CHARITY BALL – A very successful ball was given in the Town Hall in aid of the Titanic Disaster Fund, when nearly 200 were present. Dancing took place to music supplied by the band of the Howitzer Brigade, R.F.A., who very kindly gave their services. Mr. A. LININGTON was M.C., and Miss STAGG superintended at the refreshment tables.

May 4th 1912: FUND – The performance of “H.M.S. Pinafore” by the Sandown Operatic Society at Ryde, was such a success. The total balance from the matinee and evening performances was £48, which has been handed to the Mayor of Ryde’s “Titanic” Disaster Fund.

May 11th 1912: TITANIC DISASTER. RYDE FUND. The following subscriptions have been received by the Mayor in response to his appeal. Subscriptions should be sent to the Town Clerk, Town Hall, Ryde, and they will be acknowledged in the Isle of Wight Observer.

There follows a list of 83 names, including local dignitaries, businesses, churches and organizations. Most contribute one or two guineas and several up to 4 or 5 guineas. There are also larger amounts, such as the £48 raised from the ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ performances, and £6. 10.0. proceeds of entertainment per Canon S. Mongan.

Jun 15th 1912: TITANIC FUND – In a letter from the Mayor of Southampton re the Titanic Fund, His Worship wrote that it was a very great pleasure to receive the magnificent sum of £191.17s.4d. which they sent to him on the 24th inst. last. He wished to express his thanks to the subscribers of that generous addition to his funds.

* The grave of Charles Anthony Fairall who was born June 15 1912 and died Nov 7 1912 records that his father Henry Charles Fairall was lost in the foundering of the Titanic. To read more click here

Image of the Titanic from Wikipedia