Letters concerning compensation for the loss of David Charters in the Titanic disaster, consisting of one TLS from the White Star Line to their lawyers Hill Dickinson & Co., two manuscript pencil drafts from the law firm, and a carbon copy of a typed letter from the firm. The White Star Line’s letter, July 6, 1914, in full: “We beg to attach letter received from Mr. Henry J. Johnson, regarding compensation in respect to David Charters, and shall be much obliged if you will indicate what reply we should make, or perhaps you may think it better to deal with it direct.” The law firm’s pencil draft of their reply, dated July 7 and headed “Titanic—Charters,” in part: “We have received your letter and the enclosed communication from the Rev. H. J. Johnson which we return together with the draft of a letter to be sent on in reply to that gentleman.” The draft of this letter is also included, in part: “We have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter…with reference to the claim of Mr. Charters. We very much regret the distress which the loss of his son must have caused to Mr. Charters, but we are unable to accept any liability in the matter.” An additional carbon copy of a letter from the firm to Rev. Johnson explains that proceedings in America do not apply in the UK. In overall fine condition, with light soiling, general wear, and small edge tears.
David Charters, a twenty-one year old from northern Ireland, boarded the Titanic at Queenstown as a third class passenger bound for the home of his uncle in Manhattan. Still struggling to cope with the loss of their son David two years after the sinking, the Charters family lost a second son in 1914, and a third in 1921 at the hands of the Irish Republican Army. The family’s patriarch was an illiterate farmer, which is most likely why these letters are directed to a local clergyman. Interesting material providing insight into the struggles of the grieving families affected by the disaster.
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