Children of Titanic Survivor Appear on Antiques Roadshow About Their Father’s Letter; Learn How Much It’s Worth
Public Domain(Wikipedia)
Titanic survivor Sidney Daniels’ children appeared on Antiques Roadshow to discuss a letter he wrote on the ship. Daniels, 18, a plate washer, was awakened by a furious knock and told to get passengers on deck as the ship sank. He struggled to rouse many from their beds; some believed him, others didn’t. He helped children with life jackets and got them to lifeboats. Trapped as the ship sank, he dived into the water, swam away, and climbed onto an overturned lifeboat with another man, keeping him alive by singing hymns.
The letter he wrote to his family survived, though water damaged the stamp. Antiques Roadshow expert Hilary Kay valued it at £10,000 ($13,000). The family chose to donate it to a museum for others to learn Daniels’ story. “I’m delighted,” Kay said. “More people will share your story.”
Ayaat Yassin-Kassab, “Antiques Roadshow Guest Turns Down Whopping Offer to Sell ‘extraordinary’ Titanic Letter After Expert’s Bold Statement,” Mail Online, July 28, 2025, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tv/article-14946937/antiques-roadshow-letter-titanic-survivor.html.
For further information on Sidney Daniels:
“Sidney Edward Daniels,” Encyclopedia Titanica, last modified November 20, 2018, accessed July 30, 2025, https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/sidney-edward-daniels.html.
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Thomas Ismay Built A Mansion So Large That It Had To Be Demolished
Photo: Country Life Image Archive
Thomas Henry Ismay, father of J. Bruce Ismay, acquired White Star Line to operate steamships between Liverpool and New York. He built a grand home, Dawpool, in Thurstaston in 1884, designed by Richard Norman Shaw using local sandstone. The massive 50-room mansion featured 5,000 square feet of oak paneling, 150 oak doors, fireproof ceilings, and vast fireplaces. A central room had a domed glass ceiling.
Its grandeur led to its downfall. After Ismay’s death in 1899, his wife lived there until 1907. Neither son wanted to reside there, and selling it was difficult due to its size. By 1907, Sir Herbert Roberts, a Member of Parliament, purchased it, but journalists noted its emptiness. Roberts sold it to F. W. P. Rutter, who also chose not to live there. In 1918, it became a military hospital for officers.
Post-war, much of the surrounding land was sold. In 1926, Sir Henry Roberts, its new owner, planned its demolition, as the structurally sound mansion was too large for post-World War I living. The Victorian and Edwardian eras had passed, making such mansions impractical. Before demolition, parts were sold for reuse. A smaller house now stands on the site.
YouTube Video To Watch
Bright Sun Films, “Cancelled – Titanic 2,” Video, YouTube, June 17, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJvexrKjBII.
This video reviews nearly every attempt to build a Titanic II. I highly recommend this video.
Suggested Titanic Reading
Behe, G. (2012). On board RMS Titanic: Memories of the Maiden Voyage. The History Press.
Brewster, H. (2013). Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage: The Titanic’s First-Class Passengers and Their World. National Geographic Books.
Eaton John P. & Haas Charles, TITANIC TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY, SECOND EDITION, W.W. Norton & Company, New York, New York, 1995 First American Edition
Lord, Walter, A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, Holt Rinehart and Winston, New York, New York, 1955. Multiple revisions and reprints, notably Illustrated editions (1976,1977,1978 etc.)
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