Sinking of the Titanic: The World's Greatest Sea Disaster

by Thomas Herbert Russell (Editor), Fred S. Miller (Contributor)

A graphic and thrilling account of the sinking of the greatest floating palace ever built, carrying down to watery graves more than 1,500 souls.

Giving Exciting Escapes from death and acts of heroism not equaled in ancient or modern times, told by the survivors.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1912

About the author

Thomas Herbert Russell was born on March 12, 1862 in Plymouth, England. Son of Thomas Henry and Emma (Goodman) Russell.

He attended King’s College, London. Bachelor of Laws, Illinois College of Law, 1904, Doctor of Laws, 1910. He came to the United States, 1882, naturalized citizen, 1893. Educational director Railway Training Institute, Chicago, 1925.

Associate editor The World Book, 1929-1931. Associate The Literary Workshop, Chicago, 1932-1939. Founder and general secretary Clean Language League of America.

Reviews

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was published in September of 1912, mere months after the Titanic disaster, and it was comprised mostly of random accounts of that night, passenger bios, and coverage of the Senate hearing that followed.

The story was not entertaining, per se, but it was informative, well-written, and thought provoking. Much of the narrative covered the heroism of those who stayed behind to go down with the ship, allowing others to live. It was interesting to learn that most of the survivors didn't recall any great jarring when the ship collided with the iceberg, and most of them had no idea of the true danger they were in, because the Titanic was built to be unsinkable. Many who took to the lifeboats did so, believing it was merely a precaution and that they would return to the ship in an hour or two and continue on their journey. It was surprising, too, to learn that the great ship went down rather quietly, without a great amount of suction. Survivors claim it simply slipped out of sight.

With the anniversary of the tragedy nearing, I wanted to read this, and I'm glad I did. It was both sobering and uplifting.

Favorite line: "These murdered hundreds were merely another instance of the innocent sacrifices offered to the god of commercial profit. Some day, it is written, we shall cease this heathen worship; we shall demand proper precautions for our people, even thought it be at the expense of a few paltry dollars. The time is now."

That paragraph still resonates today.

[Erica Flowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to read about the event from an account written shortly after the tragedy happened . Though because of how times have changed some things said or focused on irked me but it really made you realize how people thought back then . The tales from the survivors pull at your heart strings in what felt like an even more personal way knowing their accounts were so fresh . I found this book in an old locked book case at my mother in laws and it feels like I got to read a piece of buried treasure . We must learn from history and treasure the stories of lives passed .