Sinking of the Titanic: Eyewitness Accounts

Titanic Landmark Series

by Jay Henry Mowbray (Editor)

Published in 1912 within months of the sinking of the Titanic, this "memorial edition" of first-hand accounts by survivors, people in rescue boats, and other on-the-scene witnesses, offers heart-wrenching testimony about the great disaster, steeped in the sentiments of the day.
Surviving passengers recount heart-breaking tales of parting with loved ones, watching the great ship sink while the steadfast band played "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and floating helplessly for long hours on icy seas. The search for responsibility began amid the grief of widows and orphans aboard the rescue vessel Carpathia, with accusations of ignored warnings, reckless attempts at record-setting, and the woefully inadequate supply of lifeboats.
Enhancing the text are drawings of the ship's decks and luxurious interiors, along with numerous rare photographs of celebrity passengers, captain and crew, poignant images of survivors huddled in lifeboats, and many more striking scenes. Readers will be spellbound by the gripping, you-are-there quality of this unique volume and its remarkable vision of one of the great maritime disasters of history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1912

Reviews

[Spiritedbookishbabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of great eye witness accounts. I’ve read a lot about the history of the titanic and I’ve seen a lot of the documentaries on its final moments. It’s very intriguing but it’s also very sad to think about all those people that passed away on the ship and around it!! I love the book!! I look forward to getting a copy very soon!!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing an ARC of the new version of "Sinking of the Titanic: Eyewitness Accounts".

I had never read this before eventhough I do love reading about the Titanic and watch every docu about it that is out there.

I loved all the notes and maps and extra information given, the only thing is that it read and showed very well as a PDF, but I also send it to my kindle and there it got all choppy and weird looking. Might be my kindle, it is old and hardly ever used since I switched to Kobo 🙈

Anyways, I do recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of the Titanic.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original edition of this book was an 'instant book'; I hadn't heard this term before, but it is a book that is rushed out following a tragedy in order to capitalise on public interest, and sold door to door. As a result, the original book reads like sensational journalism rather than an informative text on the events the night Titanic sank. It is based on interviews with many of the survivors, so while you sometimes feel almost as though you were there with them, it is deeply flawed, and full of inconsistencies, for example, some people claim Ismay got off on the first or second lifeboat, others that he was there to the end and was in the last boat to leave the ship. There are various different accounts on how Captain Smith met his end. The book repeats itself endlessly, as we look at the same events through hundreds of different eyes. Nowadays of coursr, we know much more about what really happened that night This new Pen & Sword edition has a great introduction explaining the origin and the flaws of the book, and extensive footnotes throughout the book explaining the inaccuracies and giving us the information we now know to be true.

A worthy addition to any Titanic enthusiast collection.

*Many thanks to Netgalley and Pen & Sword for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion*.

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it really interesting reading the different survivor accounts of the incidents that occurred as the Titanic hit the infamous iceberg, to the lifeboat situation, the whole 'women & children first' ethic. Though it is the same incident the survivors all have their own personal opinion on how & what happened. It was surprising there were so many instances of contradictory claims especially around Ismay and how/why he was saved when others perished. It was also intriguing how some survivors backed the theory of had the Captain not being so interested in breaking records, they either wouldn't have hit the iceberg at all or if they had hit it at a slower speed the damage wouldn't have been so great.

I know this is non fiction so expected lots of heavy facts but I did find the way it was presented to be a little boring. It had such potential. I wanted more about the survivors lives before the incident, why were they on the ship of dreams? Also perhaps more of what happened afterwards from individual survivors and how they were treat, dealt with by the famous White Star Line.

Summing up, I ended up putting a "DNF" on this book, which I feel disappointed about. I read a good two thirds of the book before giving up as it had started to feel so repetitive.

[Katelyn Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that I didn’t quite finish this one. I love reading about the Titanic, but since these are eyewitness testimonies from survivors (in no particular order), a lot of the facts repeat over and over and over—and some disagree. (Which is natural, really.) If I ever wrote some historical fiction on the Titanic, I think I’d turn to this book again. As it is, however, I think I’ll lay it down for now. :)

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. This book was actually written after the tragedy so you get first-hand accounts without any modern-day hype.

[Scott Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book on my shelf for a long time and finally got around to reading it. The Titanic has always fascinated me and when I picked up this book, I was curious to see what it held. This is a reprint of the original 1912 book, which came out just months after the ship sank. It is a series of survivor accounts, which described all aspects of the events of that night, from when the iceberg first hit the ship to when the Carpathia picked up the survivors from the water.

Time has uncovered many facts about the events of that night, but there are just as many things that will never be truly known. In some cases, the survivor accounts can be the only things that offer any insight to what happened that night (did an officer shoot people and then himself? what of the fates of Captain Smith, etc?). Granted, many of the accounts are not accepted as gospel. Many people reference heroic actions by men such as Maj Archie Butt and John Jacob Astor, but most now accept that Maj Butt did little to nothing that night, save play cards until the ship went down, and Astor, after putting his young, pregnant wife on to a lifeboat, stepped aside and calmly awaited his fate (neither man survived the night: Astor crushed body was later recovered, Butt's body was never recovered). From these accounts, the more famous a person was, the more heroic they were. The final actions of Smith are not really known, and while some had him saving kids in the water and swimming away from an overturned lifeboat, the current canon has him still alone on the bridge, after he gave the "every man for himself" call. Some older prejudices still care through (the men shot that night...cowardly Italian...a black man trying to take the life jacket off the back of one of the radio operators (he was thought to be a coal stoker, so the coal dust would obscure the skin...).

This should not be read as accepted fact, but as historic reference, where survivors share their memories of that night. It conveys the chaos, fear, sadness, and shock of such an event, one that would go down as one of the most famous sinkings in history. Technical details are not to be found, but the personal stories make this work. Admittedly, it is hard to follow who's account is being discussed, but that might be as much the fault of the publishers in 1912 as anything done in 1998. Still, A decent reference for those who have read about the sinking and want some different perspectives

[Marcia Meakim · Rating 3 out of 5]

So appreciated reading the original written directly after the tragedy and then the footnotes with updated mostly confirmed information. Rereading about this monumental disaster brought tears to my eyes as I imagined what both those who perished as well as the survivors went through on that fateful night. I continue to feel sorry for Ismay and his descendants having to live with the shame of the inaccurate reports that he was on the first lifeboat. It must have been very difficult for them to try to overcome what was initially reported.
This topic has always interested me, mostly because of the devastating loss of life from a ship touted to be the first unsinkable ship.
I have to admit that at times it was difficult to read on my kindle as the text and footnotes did not always match up. It was also difficult to view the drawings in any detail.
Many thanks to Pen and Sword and NetGalley for updating my own knowledge base regarding the sinking of the Titanic. Those who are intrigued by the topic will enjoy reading this updated version and comparing what was known to be true at the time and what is now known to be fact. In my humble opinion we may never know everything about this tragedy.

[Terri Wangard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quickly published after Titanic sank, this is a compilation of survivors’ accounts, many of which are contradictive, such as the captain shot himself, or he swam to a lifeboat with a baby, or he died on the bridge as the ship sank. Who to believe?

Much of the writing is melodramatic, such as those who knew they had only a few hours to live at most, lived up to that most splendid example of Anglo-Saxon courage. Many men expected Titanic to stay afloat long enough for rescue. They stayed on boat because they thought that was safer than the lifeboats.

Tidbits I’ve never heard before: Babies tossed overboard by their parents were rescued by people in the boats, unsupported by survivor lists. Two Chinamen from the galley hid in a lifeboat; when discovered, they were shot and dumped overboard.

A lot of repetition. Interesting, but nothing groundbreakingly new.

[Flocarine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Description
First published in 1912, Jay Henry Mowbray’s Sinking of the Titanic was hugely influential in the aftermath of the maritime disaster, recording the harrowing, first-hand accounts of the survivors - from sailors, to stewards, to passengers – throughout the ordeal, from when the iceberg first hit to when the Carpathia eventually arrived, and honouring those who were lost on that fateful night in 1912.

*--* My Opinion *-*
I am somewaht obsessed with Titanic - LOVE the movie - but most of all the historic Facts and the Story as a whole. I have read many things about the Tragedy and still get goosebumps. Nice book ....

Thanks for letting me read it!
#TheSinkingoftheTitanic #NetGalley.

[Ajla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is definitely a product of its time with all the dramatic descriptions and embellished writing. I like that this newest edition adds many footnotes with extra explanations and some corrections along the way, without changing the source material.
I really enjoyed all the added photos, drawings and paintings at the end too.
The meat of the book, however, felt clunky so the reading flow wasn't really there and it felt a bit dry at times.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Pen & Sword for granting me my wish and sending me the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different read on the Titanic disaster. The author has filled the pages with first hand accounts from the survivors and also debunks some of the theories of that night. The accounts are gripping and the courage shown not only by the survivors, but those who chose to sacrifice themselves for others is truly inspirational. This is a great read and one worth reading!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Aria Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and informative read that provided me with some information that I already knew but quite a lot that I didn't know, and, has made me want to look more into it. I have always been fascinated by the Titanic on both a morbid and personal level, Morbid because of the tragedy element and personal as I had a family member upon the doomed ship.
A fantastic read

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly fascinating to read the same exact book the people of the time (1912) were reading. Written only a month after the tragedy, this edition is accompanied by modern day corrections used as footnotes. Terribly sad and gripping. I loved it.

*Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle Forsythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read of actual accounts of what happened on the Titanic. Interesting to see the bias accounts of steerage passengers.

[Bibek Giri]

Good

[Tambra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Learned lost of new info about Titanic. Could not put it down.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating read for anyone who is an interested in the story of Titanic. It feels well researched and was a good read.

[amelia welby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written within a few months of the sinking in 1912. Very sad but a lot of information about what happened and the aftermath I never heard about.

[Christopher Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic yet, captivating.

[Barakiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good example as to why it's best to wait a few years, so that information can be properly gathered. Quite a bit of misinformation in this book, as it was written within months of the disaster.

[Chicory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: here.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!

This new edition reads as two books in one. The original book came out soon after the initial disaster, filled with quotes from the survivors, many of whom testified to Congress, and was written up in a sensational style as well as reporting what was known - or thought to be known - at the time. This edition is filled to the brim with academic footnotes, letting readers know the correct names of various people who were identified incorrectly at the time, correct outright mistakes, such as reporting the "known fact" of Captain Smith committing suicide, and giving readers all the information that has since come to light about the science of what happened that night.

Given the emotional style of writing and the amount of facts that are proven wrong, the whole book could have easily just been tossed out - however, I like this corrective approach, to let readers both know the true facts and also get a glimpse into what it was like immediately after the sinking and how confused people would have been with so many rumors swirling and all the true facts decades away from being discovered.

[Natisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When the order that every man should take his post, as the vessel was sinking, was sent through the Titanic,” said Hardy, “there were eleven men on duty in the hold. “The twenty others, without the least hesitancy, came hurrying to their posts beside the engines and dynamos. They must have known as well as Captain Smith that the Titanic was going down, for when they arrived in the engine room the water was rising over the floor. There was nothing for them to do but to keep the dynamos running.
“Not one of them moved to quit their posts and not one would have dared to, even they had been willing, in the face of the stern men who had chosen to die there. Yet they could be of no use, for the Titanic was
going down then.
“The water was rising about them when I looked down from a gallery. I saw the little circle of Chief Engineer Bell and sixteen of his men standing there in the water with their lips moving in prayer. I pray that I may never
see the like of it again; it was real heroism.”

This was a heart-breaking collection of accounts from survivors as well as the crew and passengers of the Carpathia which rushed to the aid of the sinking Titanic and covers the time from the collision to the survivors reaching New York and the investigations that followed. I was amazed by the calmness of the men when women and children were prioritized for boarding, the courage of the engine men and electricians who willingly went to their deaths to give the people on board the best chances of surviving and sheer heart-break of families being separated due to the quick sinking and insufficient response to the incident, by other ships in the vicinity to the shortage of lifeboats and trained personnel to man them. There were illustrations which made it clear why passengers were more comfortable staying on the "unsinkable" Titanic than being lowered 70 feet off the side in tiny lifeboats which were not properly equipped, whilst being dressed in flimsy nightwear. Some of the reforms that arose from the hearings post the tragedy, left me in awe that this was not law before

Although at times, it felt slightly repetitive, this was expected as it was a collection of stories from the survivors who naturally had their own versions of what had happened and this was well put together and followed a clear timeline. This updated version opens with expert introductions and includes notes which clarify/correct certain accounts as they appear in the book.

This is well worth a read, even if non-fiction isn't your normal genre to gain insights into one of the worst maritime disasters in history

[Collin Stauffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the behind the scenes of the titanic sinking and what happened on the ship at the time. Also this book is very educational that this happened in history and today the ship still lies in the alantic ocean today. It also tells you what exactly happened. It also informs you all the people onboard the ship and shows visuals of what it was like on the luxury ship. It also talks about how they made the ship and how it works.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: How apt to be reviewing a book on the sinking of the Titanic on the anniversary of the disaster. What makes this book so intriguing is this is an account almost right after the fact, filled with testimony of the survivors and others involved in the rescue including Senate hearings that were held almost as soon as the Carpathia docked.

It is slightly overblown almost like a newspaper account of the time but the emotions would have been so fresh and the shock so real it can be forgiven. Thefull enormity of the event was felt in the aftermath. There are a number of notes where the information in the original text was wrong and is sets out to correct it. Reading it today, after having read so many books on the subject, it proves the fact that two people can be involved in the same event but they will experience and see different things.

Perhaps it is better to read this after having done considerable study on the subject as some of the more recent discoveries and theories can then be compared with the raw impact that would have coloured everything that came out at the time. It allows the reader to sort through some of the “observations” that were made. For instance several witnesses said they saw an officer shoot passengers. There is no doubt there were shots but as time proved, the story about passengers being cut down was embellishment at the least.

It does make for interesting reading and certainly it was more poignant to recall the event around its anniversary. Four purrs and two paws up.

[Georgi_Lvs_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars


‘One grinding crash and the Titanic had received its death blow. Man’s proudest craft crumbled like an eggshell.’

After having difficulty reading this on a kindle version (it just didn’t work because of all the extra notes) I read the physical copy and although a little repetitive, it is the perfect read for any titanic and history reader.

With the amount of titanic books I’ve read it was a nice surprise to learn some new things :)

This book was written around a month after titanic sank, in this updated version, any errors/wrong information has been corrected.

The chapter on the men working below decks was fascinating to read but my god if you don’t shed a tear!

‘I was told that seventeen enginemen who were drowned side by side got down on their knees on the platform of the engine room and prayed until the water surged up to their necks.’

‘And then, with all these, there feel on the ear the most appalling noise that ever human ear listened to - the cries of hundreds of our fellow-beings struggling in the icy-water, crying for help with a cry that we knew could not be answered.’

A must read.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. This was originally published in 1912. This updated account includes commentary, clarification, and research (footnoted and referenced) about these original eyewitness accounts.
As I read this, I felt as though I had accidently lost my place and was rereading sections I had previously read. However, many of these accounts cover basically the same events with about the same details. It is very repetitive. For people who are specifically interested in comparing these accounts and looking for consistency or inconsistency, this may be exactly what they want. For me, I decided to stop reading less than halfway through because I believed I had gotten the main idea of what these people experienced. That being said, some of these personal stories were interesting. Many felt very realistic.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ryan Splenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first attempt at reading something other than theory and straight history regarding the Titanic. These first hand accounts from a variety of survivors are quite terrifying and harrowing. Strangely enough, one of the most interesting parts of this book is the discussion of the hearings that were held by the US government after the survivors were brought to shore. This part of the saga never gets enough attention, and gives some of the most fascinating details about the making of the ship and the politics behind some of the fateful decisions in its design (ex. lack of lifeboats). It's a very important read, but it could have been edited more effectively and reduced by about 60-80 pages.

[Charles]

the sinking of the titanic is a really great book to read if you want to know everything that happened on the ship. this gives you so many details and makes everything clear to the reader. this book will be better for anyone to read becasue its easy to understand and it has eyewitness accounts unlike other books about he titanic. i learned things from this book that i didnt learn from the movie. this book tells you what people said after hitting the ice berg and it showed how scared people were and it even gave what the creators of the ship said. this book was very interesting i like it.