Lost Voices from the "Titanic": The Definitive Oral History - Hardcover

Barratt, Nick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1848091494 ISBN 13: 9781848091498

Publisher: Preface Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

Starting from its original conception and design by the owners and naval architects at the White Star Line through construction at Harland and Wolff's shipyards in Belfast, Nick Barratt explores the pre-history of the Titanic. He examines the aspirations of the owners, the realities of construction and the anticipation of the first sea-tests, revealing that the seeds of disaster were sown by the failure to implement sealed bulkheads - for which the original plans are now available. Barratt then looks at what it was like to embark on the Titanic's maiden voyage in April 1912. The lives of various passengers are examined in more detail, from the first class aristocrats enjoying all the trappings of privilege, to the families in third-class and steerage who simply sought to leave Britain for a better life in America. Similarly, the stories of representatives from the White Star Line who were present, as well as members of the crew, are told in their own words to give a very different perspective of the voyage. Finally, the book examines the disaster itself, when Titanic struck the iceberg on 14 April and sunk hours later. Survivors from passengers and crew explain what happened, taking you back in time to the full horror of that freezing Atlantic night when up to 1,520 people perished. The tragedy is also examined from the official boards of inquiry, and its aftermath placed in a historic context - the damage to British prestige and pride, and the changes to maritime law to ensure such an event never took place again. The book concludes by looking at the impact on those who escaped, and what became of them in the ensuing years; and includes the words of the last living survivor, Millvina Dean.

About this title

About the Author

Dr Nick Barratt obtained a PhD in history from King's College London in 1996. He started work in television whilst working at the BBC as a specialist archive researcher. He is also in demand as a speaker on popular history and genealogy following his work as a presenter, reviewer and commentator on all aspects of history, notably family history for the BBC on Who Do You Think You Are? Nick also writes a weekly column in the Daily Telegraph called 'The Family Detective'.

Edition details

• Publisher: Preface Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1848091494
• ISBN 13: 9781848091498
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352