Haunting Titanic Newspaper Dated 1912 Found After 112 Years In A Wardrobe, Features Photograph Of Victims

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A newspaper from 1912, published shortly after the Titanic disaster, has been discovered in a wardrobe. The Daily Mirror edition from 20 April 1912 was found in a house in Lichfield, Staffordshire. It features a photo of two women waiting for the list of survivors to be posted on a wall in Southampton.

More than 1,500 lives were lost when the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank on 14 April 1912. The newspaper was unearthed by Hansons Auctioneers, whose owner, Charles Hanson, described it as "a valuable piece of social history."

He remarked on how the sinking has been extensively covered in various media but highlighted the emotional impact on bereaved families.

A Terrible Day In History

The newspaper was published five days after the disaster, on the day survivor lists were posted in Southampton. Beneath the photograph of the women, the article detailed "tragedy upon tragedy" for Southampton, where most of the crew resided. It described mothers and wives reading the names with hope, only to have their worst fears confirmed.

The article poignantly stated: "By this appalling disaster mothers have been robbed of sons, wives of husbands and young girls of sweethearts." It called that day "a terrible day in the history of the town," though it ended all suspense.

Emotional Impact On Families

Inside this historic newspaper is a double-page spread featuring photographs of some victims. Mr Hanson noted that while much focus is often on those who perished, seeing faces of affected families is deeply moving. He added that this find serves as a reminder of heartbroken mothers, fathers, and wives left behind.

The woman who owned the wardrobe had preserved newspapers marking significant events like King George V's coronation in 1911. This discovery adds another layer to understanding how people coped with monumental events through time.

The Titanic's sinking remains one of history's most documented tragedies. This newspaper offers a unique glimpse into how communities dealt with such immense loss over a century ago.