Extraordinary group of eight Marconigrams sent by Bruce Ismay, managing director of the White Star Line, the fleet to which the Titanic belonged, just after his rescue from the sinking by the Cunard liner Carpathia, April 15-18, 1912. Each Marconigram is filled out in pencil, stamped "Copy," measures 8.75 x 5.75, and affixed inside a larger album marked: "Book No. 1 Copy, Carpathia, Mr. Ismay's mges sent and received." The first telegram in the series bears Ismay's full name, all subsequent telegrams bear the name "Yamsi," Ismay's name spelled backwards; also included are three telegrams sent by Phillip A. S. Franklin to Ismay on board the Carpathia, responding to his messages. This correspondence forms a stunning record of the communication of the White Star Line's highest-ranking survivor just after the sinking of the Titanic.
As managing director of the shipping company to which the Titanic belonged, Bruce Ismay went on the maiden voyage of the Titanic as a passenger. The first ship to respond to the distress signal of the Titanic was the Cunard liner, Carpathia, which was fifty-eight miles and a good four hours away. Arriving one hour and twenty minutes after the Titanic sunk, Carpathia took aboard Titanic survivors who were fortunate enough to get into lifeboats. Upon boarding Carpathia, Ismay writes to his New York office at 5:50 am on April 15, 1912: "Deeply regret advise you Titanic sank this morning fifteenth after collision iceberg resulting serious loss life further particulars later."
At 1:00 pm the same day Ismay transmits more information: "Most desirable Titanic crew aboard Carpathia should be returned home earliest moment possible suggest you hold Cedric sailing her daylight Friday unless you see any reason contrary propose returning her myself please send outfit of clothes including shoes for me to Cedric have nothing of my own."
Curiously, neither of these messages was transmitted until April 17th, as indicated in the upper right of each telegram. This delay became the subject of much controversy in the Senate's inquiry, which found that the Carpathia's wireless operator Harold Cottam did not show 'proper vigilance' in dispatching messages as soon as possible.
On April 18th, Ismay sends six more telegrams requesting his correspondent to meet him and make arrangements for the Cedric to retrieve the Titanic crew from Carpathia as soon as possible: "Please join Carpathia quarantine if possible"; "Send responsible ships officer and fourteen White Star sailors in two tug boats to take charge of thirteen Titanic boats at quarantine"; "Widener not aboard hope see you in quarantine please cable wife am returning" [Ismay makes mention here of George Widener, the Philadelphia streetcar magnate who did not survive]; "Very important you should hold Cedric daylight Friday for Titanic crew"; "Think most unwise keep Titanic crew until Saturday"; "Unless you have good and substantial reason for not holding Cedric please arrange do so most undesirable have New York crew so long."
The three responses from the New York office of April 17th and 18th clearly convey great concern and distress over the disaster: "So thankful you are saved but grieving with you over terrible calamity shall sail Saturday…accept my deepest sympathy horrible catastrophe will meet you aboard Carpathia after docking is Widener aboard"; "Have arranged forward crew Lapland sailing Saturday calling Plymouth we all consider most unwise delay Cedric considering all circumstances"; "Concise marconigram account of actual accident greatly needed for enlightenment public and ourselves this is most important." In fine condition. Accompanied by a custom-made quarter-leather clamshell case.
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