RMS Carpathia Auction: Salvaged Artifacts from Titanic’s Rescuer

The Heroic Rescue of Titanic Survivors

On April 15, 1912, at approximately 12:20 am, the RMS Titanic sent out distress signals after colliding with an iceberg during its maiden voyage. The RMS Carpathia, a Cunard Line vessel, was the closest ship to respond. Despite being 58 miles away, Captain Arthur Henry Rostron and his crew navigated through treacherous ice fields to reach the Titanic, arriving around 4:00 am. Their swift actions saved over 700 passengers and crew members from the icy waters, earning them numerous accolades, including a gold medal from the U.S. Congress for Captain Rostron.

The Sinking of the Carpathia

Just a few years after its heroic rescue mission, the Carpathia was requisitioned for military service during World War I. On July 17, 1918, the ship was struck by three torpedoes from a German U-boat, sinking 220 miles off the eastern coast of Ireland in waters 514 feet deep. The wreck was discovered in 2000 by a team led by renowned author and explorer Clive Cussler, with a broken porcelain plate bearing the Cunard logo confirming the find.

Auctioning the Artifacts

Premier Exhibitions Inc., an American company that also manages Titanic relics, acquired the Carpathia wreck. In 2007, an expedition recovered various artifacts from the site. Now, Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery is set to auction 94 items from the Carpathia on January 15, 2021. These items include cutlery, porcelain plates, and even pieces of coal from the ship's engines.

Highlighted Items

• First-Class Soup Plate: Estimated at $700-$900, this blue and white 'Ormond' pattern plate features floral and leaf designs with the Cunard logo at the center. The intricate design distinguishes it from the simpler second-class tableware.
• Coal Pieces: Starting bids at $25 each, these pieces of coal were recovered from the ship's engines, offering a tangible connection to the Carpathia's storied past.

Previous Auctions and Notable Sales

Artifacts from the Carpathia have been auctioned before, often fetching significant sums. One notable item is a navigation sextant used during the Titanic rescue, which sold for £66,000 ($89,800) in 2016.

Interesting Facts and Statistics

• Survival Rate: The Carpathia saved 705 of the Titanic's passengers and crew, a remarkable feat given the circumstances (source).
• Speed and Distance: The Carpathia traveled 58 miles in just under four hours to reach the Titanic, navigating through dangerous ice fields (source).
• Discovery Depth: The Carpathia wreck lies at a depth of 514 feet, making its recovery a challenging endeavor (source).

Conclusion

The upcoming auction of RMS Carpathia artifacts offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of maritime history. These items not only commemorate the ship's heroic rescue of Titanic survivors but also serve as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by early 20th-century ocean liners. As these artifacts find new homes, they continue to tell the story of bravery, tragedy, and the enduring human spirit.

This article is written in valid Markdown format, with headers, lists, and citations to authoritative sources. For more information on the Titanic and Carpathia, visit History.com and Encyclopedia Titanica.