Children of Titanic Survivor Appear on Antiques Roadshow About Their Father’s Letter; Learn How Much It’s Worth
Collapsible lifeboat D photographed by passenger on Carpathia on the morning of 15 April 1912. 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.”
Thomas Ismay Built A Mansion So Large That It Had To Be Demolished
Dawpool, the grand mansion built by Thomas Ismay. 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.
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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Defeat of the Spanish Armada (Philip James de Loutherbourg, 1796) Public Domain
On 8 Aug 1588 (29 July 1588) * naval forces of England and Spain engaged in an 8-hour furious battle off the coast of France that determined the fate of both countries control of the seas. Spain had created the armada to not only gain control of the English Channel but also to land an invasion force in England. England since the early 1580s had been conducting raids against Spanish commerce and had supported Dutch rebels in Spanish Netherlands. The other reason was to restore Catholicism that had been outlawed since the reign of King Henry VIII.
The invasion fleet was authorized by King Philip II and was completed in 1587 but delayed by a raid by Sir Francis Drake on the Armada’s supplies. It did not depart until 29 May 1588 (May 19, 1588) The fleet consisted of 130 ships under the command of the Duke of Medina-Sidonia. It had 2,500 guns, 8,000 seamen, and 20,000 soldiers. The Spanish ships though were slower than their English counterparts and lighter armed as well despite their guns. Their tactic was to force boarding when their ships were close enough. They believed with the superior numbers of Spanish infantry they could overwhelm the English ships.
The English were commanded by Charles Howard, 2nd Baron Howard of Effingham. Like his counterpart, he was an admiral with not much sea experience but proved to be the better leader. His second in command was Sir Francis Drake. The English fleet was at its height 200 ships but in the actual combat was at most 100. Only 40 were warships and the rest smaller, but they were armed with heavy artillery that were able to fire at longer ranges without having to get close to the enemy to be effective. The English strategy was to bombard their enemy from a distance and not give them the opportunity to get close and possibly board their ships (which had smaller number of soldiers aboard than the Spanish had).
As the Spanish Armada made its way, it would be harassed by English ships that bombarded them at a distance negating Spanish attempts to board. The Armada anchored near Calais, France on 27 July (16 July). The Spanish forces on land were in Flanders and would take time to get Calais. However, since there was no safe port and enemy Dutch and English ships patrolled the coastal shallows, it meant those troops had no safe way to get to the Armada.
Around midnight on 7- 8 Aug 1588 ( 28-29 July), the English sent 8 fire ships into the anchored Spanish fleet. The Spanish were forced to quickly scatter to avoid the fire ships. This meant the Armada formation was now broken making them easier targets for the English to attack. They closed to effective range and attacked. Surprising to the English, the return fire was mostly small arms. It turns out most of the heavy cannons had not been mounted. And those that were did not have properly trained crews on how to reload. Three Spanish ships were sunk or driven ashore. Other ships were battered and moved away. The English also were low on ammunition, so they had to drop back and follow the Spanish fleet.
Destrucción de la Armada Invencible by José Gartner (1866–1918) 1892 Original located at Museo de Málaga, Spain Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Spanish fleet had to flee north and around Scotland and from there head back to Spain. The English fleet turned back for resupply. It was a long road back to Spain for the Armada. Autumn had arrived and gales in the North Atlantic made passage tough. Ships were lost to bad weather, navigational errors, foundered near Ireland, and possibly battle damage as well. Only 60 of the 130 survived with an estimated loss of 15,000 men. The English losses were much smaller with fewer men wounded or killed in battle. It appears most of the deaths that came later were due to disease (possibly scurvy). Damages to the English ships were negligible.
Significance
With the defeat of the Spanish Armada, England was made safe from invasion. The Dutch rebels the English backed in Spanish Netherlands were saved as well. Spain up to that point had been the greatest European power, so it was a major blow to their prestige that would have ramifications down the road for them. Also, it heralded a major change for naval battles. This was the first major naval gun battle where the combatants fought at a distance rather than closing and boarding. Warships that could move quickly and had artillery that fire at long range would become the norm on the seas from that point on. England would now become a major world power. Spain still was in the game for several decades (the English were not successful either in trying their own invasion) and was still a major colonial power. England and Spain formally ended their conflict in 1604. Spain, however, would eventually go into decline as England and other European powers would successfully expand into Asia and establish their own colonies and trade routes.
*England was still under the old Julian calendar in 1588, so the original date is shown in parentheses. England adopted it in 1752 and had to skip ahead 11 days accounting for the difference. Wherever possible, the original and new date are shown.
Fernández-Armesto, F. (1989). The Spanish Armada: The Experience of War in 1588. Oxford University Press, USA. This is written from the Spanish point of view. Some have criticized it as glorifying the Spanish Armada, which failed all its strategic and tactical aims. Worth reading though to see it viewed outside of the normal British view on the event.
History, C. (2020). History of Spain: A Captivating Guide to Spanish History, Starting from Roman Hispania Through the Visigoths, the Spanish Empire, the Bourbons, and the War of Spanish Independence to the Present.
Martin, C., & Parker, G. (1999). The Spanish Armada: Revised Edition. Manchester University Press. This is an update to an earlier book by the same authors. The prior book was well researched and considered the standard for this subject. This revised edition has updated information both from Spanish Armada shipwrecks that have been found and more archival data found. If you really want to know the full details as to what led up to the battle, the battle itself, and its aftermath, this would be the book to read.
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Signing of the Constitution of the United States of America Howard Chandler Christy (1873–1952) East Stairway, House of Representatives wing, Washington D.C. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
In the aftermath of the American Civil War, several amendments to the U.S. Constitution were needed to correct several important issues. The first was slavery which was outlawed by the 13th Amendment. Another question was about who qualifies as a citizen under the law. It may seem obvious now, but a clear and concise definition was not in the Constitution. Without such a definition, a state could pass a law that would declare person or a group of people as non-citizens on their own. Some laws already existed in the South that severely limited or completely denied African Americans citizenship. Some newly readmitted Confederate states enacted laws that severely restricted their legal rights, angering Northern states.
President Andrew Johnson, who had succeeded Lincoln after his assassination, supported emancipation but as a former slaveowner, did not support the 13th (Congress overturned his veto) and likewise did so on the 14th as well. The 14thamendment not only granted full citizenship to the former slaves, but it also rescinded the three-fifths rule of those enslaved for congressional representation. Now every person counted in determining congressional representation rather trying to make fractions out of people. Everyone age 21 and over was granted the right to vote as well. The amendment had enforcement provisions in it as well if a state chose to ignore the law and impose laws contrary to it. Confederate states had to approve both the 13th and 14th Amendments to rejoin the United States.
When Louisiana and South Carolina ratified the amendment on 9 Jul 1868, that gave it the necessary three-fourths majority to ratify. It was then sent back to Congress for formal certification and became law on 28 Jul 1868. Due to Jim Crow Laws, which many Southern states enacted to make it difficult to vote, those laws would have to be addressed by later court decisions and federal laws. Segregation, where blacks and whites could have separate but equal facilities, was made constitutional in 1897 in Plessy vs. Ferguson. It was overturned by the 1954 case Brown vs Board of Educationending segregation.
Sources
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Fourteenth Amendment | Definition, Summary, Rights, Significance, & Facts,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified July 25, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fourteenth-Amendment.
On 25 Jul 1943 the Fascist Grand Council formerly voted Mussolini from power and was arrested later after meeting with King Victor Emmanuel III. So, what happened to the once all-powerful Duce? Let’s find out.
Benito Mussolini from the second edition of Adolf Dresler’s “Mussolini als Journalist” (1939) Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Italy Aligns with Germany
On 22 May 1939 Italy signed a treaty with Germany that allied both countries militarily and politically. Mussolini nicknamed this treaty, formally known as the Pact of Friendship and Alliance, as the Pact of Steel. The treaty committed Italy to support Germany if attacked or if it declared war. Mussolini believed the pact would provide defense from other Western nations and provide support for his ambitions in the Balkans and elsewhere. Italy was in desperate need of resources due to international sanctions in using mustard gas to conquer Ethiopia. It also lacked the industrial capability at that time for a sustained military conflict. Germany and Italy shared similar interests in believing Fascism was on the march. Italy, like Germany, sided with Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). A treaty of mutual interest in 1936 brought them closer together and paved the way for the Pact of Steel. It was also Mussolini who coined the term Axis regarding the countries that signed the treaty.
Mussolini had hoped both the British and French would give him concessions after the Munich Agreement of 1938, where both powers forced Czechoslovakia to hand over territory to Germany. There was none and Mussolini gave speeches laying out Italy’s desire to take territory in North Africa, France, a part of Switzerland, and Albania. He also threatened British control of the seas and of taking Gibraltar. In both London and Paris, such talk was seen as signaling his territorial ambitions. In 1938, Italy invaded and conquered Albania convincing the other powers of his territorial ambitions. The Pact of Steel in 1939 cemented the partnership between the two countries that had been going on informally. Not all Fascists in Italy agreed with aligning with Germany. Foreign Minister Count Galeazzo Ciano, married to Mussolini’s daughter Edda, became skeptical later as Germany failed to disclose the planned to invade Poland as required by the treaty. While Ciano and other Fascists believed war with Britain and France was inevitable as both powers were blocking their ambitions, they did not see it occurring for a few more years. They dreadfully miscalculated Hitler’s aims and ambitions.
World War II
Mussolini knew that Italy was not ready for war until 1942 (and the Pact of Steel said neither side was to enter war till 1943). Lacking the raw resources and industrial capability, they needed to import both coal and steel. Countries like Britain banned those raw materials, making it difficult to acquire. Knowing this, Britain and France did try to lure Mussolini away from Germany by offering those resources. And it may have worked as Mussolini was preparing to sign documents to that effect. German pressure on Mussolini though scuttled it. They sent coal by train over the Alps to him to strengthen their friendship. The Italian Army was large on paper but lacked modern transport and weapons leaving them unable to hold their own against a fully trained and battle-ready army. Since supplies were critical to Italy, it failed to prepare its merchant fleet for war and lost many ships that were enemy ports when war was declared. Mussolini was warned by his military advisors to wait until war production would be able arm his military for war. While Italy easily took Albania, the British routed them in North Africa, and the Greeks were able to stop an Italian invasion of their country. In both cases, Germany sent troops to accomplish what the Italians failed to do. They were successful in Yugoslavia since German troops were with them. And the only declared war on France when Germany had defeated them so they could take territory in the south including Corsica. Thanks to Italian occupation in France though, Jews were safe as Italy refused German demands to turn them over.
Rationing of food and other supplies took its toll on the population. Due to a reduced merchant fleet, supplies became more difficult to acquire and had to rely on Germany for a lot of it. Inflation set in as well making it hard for many to buy the supplies. The poor military situation only made it worse and support for Mussolini began to slip. The army was lightly armored, the air force and navy were at odds with each other, poor leadership in the upper levels that were coupled with ill defined goals. Additionally, Mussolini might decide to do things on a whim making it a chaotic situation. With the Allies taking Sicily, landing in the south, and dropping bombs on Rome, most people had enough of the war. Both King Victor Emmanuel III and members of the Fascist Grand Council wanted Italy out of the war. Mussolini had to go.
Mussolini Sacked
The Fascist Grand Council met on 24 July 1943-a meeting that would last till the next morning-to discuss what to do. Mussolini, according to various accounts, looked sick, tired, and felt the burden of the military defeats suffered by the Italian military. For some, it appeared he wanted a way out and he got it. The Grand Council voted to remove him from power and transfer some of his powers to the king. There was opposition, but the majority voted for his removal. His son-in-law, Count Galeazzo Ciano, voted for his removal as well. Mussolini seemed stunned and dazed by it. His supporters tried to rally him, but he seemed deflated. He left for his meeting with King Emmanuel and arrived unshaven and groggy. He was informed by the king that he was under arrest and that General Pietro Badoglio would be taking over as Prime Minister. The war was seen as lost, the King Emmanuel reportedly said. Mussolini did not resist and seemed to accept it. He was told his family would remain safe. He was whisked away and imprisoned.
The announcement of Mussolini’s downfall was greeted with a general sense of relief. It was hoped this would mean the end of the war. The Fascists did not stage any protests or marches over his removal and imprisonment. He was being held at La Maddalena and later removed to a safer location to prevent his being rescued. The new Italian government negotiated behind the scenes seeking an armistice that would lead to a peace treaty. For a moment Italians breathed a sigh of relief hoping the war would soon be over.
Aftermath
Hitler was furious at his removal and knew the Italians would sign an armistice. Several German battalions were sent into Italy despite objections from the new government. When the armistice was announced on 3 September 1943, Operation Asche was implemented. German troops seized control of northern Italy and marched on Rome. They also seized all its territory in the Balkans and France. Italian forces were told to disarm or be fired upon. Some resistance was done in Rome as the royal family fled with the government. Corsica, Calabria, and Sardinia were successfully defended by Italian troops and repelled German troops until the Americans arrived. The Germans quickly implemented their anti-Jewish policies. Hitler ordered Mussolini found and was rescued from imprisonment at Hotel Campo Imperatore atop Gran Sasso d’Italia mountain range on 12 September 1943. Italians in the north would have to wait until June 1944 to be liberated.
[This was rewritten for 2025 correcting spelling, punctuation, and brevity]
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Pact of Steel | Italy–Germany [1939] | Britannica,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified March 18, 2009, https://www.britannica.com/event/Pact-of-Steel.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Italian Campaign | Summary, Map, Significance, Date, & World War II,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified July 2, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Italian-Campaign.
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The Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD was the most destructive fire for the ancient city of Rome.
The Fire of Rome, 18 July 64 AD by Hubert Robert (1733–1808) 1785 Public Domain (US) via Wikimedia Commons
Rome was a metropolis in 64 AD where approximately one million people lived. Originally starting near the Tiber River, the city had grown and expanded to encompass much of what is called Rome today. Because much of the city was built near the river, it was prone to flooding. This happened frequently resulting in major floods where many parts of Rome were underwater.
Aside from that occasional blight, fires were not uncommon either. Since most people lived in poorly constructed wooden apartments, fires were common. Often small areas or neighborhoods might go up but there was no equivalent of a modern fire department. Instead, a small group established by the Emperor Augustus carried buckets to help put out fires. However, once a fire got too large there was nothing that could be done.
Since Rome had very narrow streets and houses close together, fires could become serious quickly. This also meant crowded streets and Romans generally walked on the raised sidewalks as the streets themselves were quite filthy from horse and human waste. Since few had a sewer opening in their home, they had to hand carry the waste containers to the nearest sewer opening. Most people just dumped it into the street adding an additional hazard to walking as the contents of the pot or even the pot itself might hit people passing below. Romans cleverly built raised stones to allow crossing streets to avoid stepping onto the street itself. Those who traveled in raised litters had perfumed liners to mitigate the stench, which was very strong during the warm summers.
On the evening of 18 Jul 64, a fire broke out in the slums south of Palatine Hill. It was likely started by a tipped over oil lantern. The burning olive oil would start a small fire that if left unintended probably grew fast due the wood providing fuel. With winds and the closeness of homes, the fire grew larger before realized how serious it was. The fire began spreading quickly consuming neighborhoods and whole districts. Rome was divided into 14 districts and soon every one of them would be impacted by the fires. Only three were spared the direct results of the fire (mostly those on the hills) but they were impacted as people were fleeing the fires in massive numbers. Hundreds died in the fires and thousands were left homeless. And the fire raged for nine days before it went out leaving the city in ruins.
The emperor Nero was away at the time the fire started and headed back to Rome. Contrary to both legends and myths, there is nothing to indicate he started the fire. Nor was he merrily playing his lyre while composing an ode to the fire. The famous idiom “Fiddling while Rome burns” was not accurate for Nero as the fiddle didn’t exist. Nero had started out his reign liked but by this time things had changed. He had murdered his mother, was known for his vanity, and spent a lot of time away from Rome doing things emperors didn’t do (acting, singing, participating in sports). Many had come to dislike him in the military, nobility and even the commoners.
Nero took steps to help those who lost their homes allowing the homeless to camp out in areas that normally were not allowed. And then he undertook the redesigning of Rome by widening streets to allow more people and carts to get through and put rules in place to prohibit the use of materials that caused fires. His megalomania would surface though when he wanted to rename Rome (Neropolis) and build a new palace. He had a bigger problem though as people were angry and resentful about what happened. And emperors, being the ones in charge, could be blamed when things went really awful. So, to distract them, he craftily spread the tale that Christians were responsible for setting the fires. And Christians were a small minority whose faith in an unseen god was disturbing to many. Also spread was the tale that Christians, in order to bring about the end of the world so that their god might return, burned the city to make it possible.
And it worked. Nero worked up the populace to believe that this minority sect was responsible for Rome’s recent destruction. There was absolutely no proof this was the case, but the anger against them worked. Christians were arrested and put to death in horrific ways, often in public spectacles where hungry lions or other animals were let loose to have at them. And Nero basked in the glory of being the one who was rebuilding Rome and dealing with those who had caused the fires.
Aftermath
Rebuilding saw Roman houses spaced out and built with brick. However, the immense cost of rebuilding drained the Roman treasury. This would lead to increased taxation and heavy tributes were placed on the provinces. Thinking it would help with costs, Nero devalued the currency, leading to inflation. The increased taxes and the devaluing of the currency led to an unsuccessful uprising in 65 AD with all the conspirators either killed or forced into suicide. In March 68, the governor of Gallia Lugdunensis revolted against Nero’s tax policies. Gaius Julius Vindex called for support from Servius Sulpicius Galba, the governor of Hispania Tarraconensis. Vindex’s revolt was put down and its commander, Lucius Verginius Rufus, was hailed by legions as the next emperor (he did not accept it). All of this led to instability for Nero as Galba started getting support. A key defection by the commander of the Praetorian Guard sealed his fate. Nero thought about going to Galba and ask for forgiveness but abandoned that idea.
The Praetorian Guard had abandoned the palace by this point and so he went out to the country to collect his thoughts. The senate declared him a public enemy and Nero prepared to die and had a grave dug for him. He was unable to take his own life and asked his secretary Epaphroditus to do it for him. He died on 9 June 68 AD which was greeted by cheering in Rome. It would be the end of the Judeo-Claudian line (Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero) and would usher in the Year of the Four Emperors. There would be Nero impostors as well claiming power. Vespasian was the last of the Four Emperors and would rule for 10 years and die in 79 AD. His rule restored political stability and established the Flavian dynasty that lasted for 27 years.
Martin Bormann, Hermann Göring, and Bruno Loerzer surveying the damaged conference room 20 Jul 1944 Source: German Federal Archives via Wikimedia Commons
On 20 July 1944 a bomb placed in the briefing room of Wolf’s Lair would explode in an attempt to kill Hitler. It failed and many of the conspirators, including Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, would either be executed or commit suicide. So, who were the conspirators and why did it fail? Let’s find out.
The conspirators were a combination of both civilians and military and had varying reasons for coming together. Some opposed the anti-Jewish policies and were shocked by Kristallnacht; others were upset with how Hitler had mismanaged the war. Many wanted to save Germany from a catastrophic defeat they saw coming. Some of them no doubt would have faced a military tribunal had they survived for war crimes for working or assisting with the elimination of Jews. An earlier plot to kill Hitler on his airplane had failed, so the plan was changed. Called Operation Valkyrie, the plan was to take control of cities, disarming the SS, and arresting Nazi leaders.
Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg was to place a bomb under a table at the East Prussian headquarters called Wolf’s Lair. Then once Hitler was confirmed dead, a radio announcement would go out saying that the Nazi Party had murdered Hitler and ordering the Reserve Army to take control of key installations in Berlin, arresting Nazi leaders. Carl Friedrich Goerdeler, former mayor of Leipzig would become chancellor with former army chief of staff Ludwig Beck becoming president. Then the new government would begin negotiating for an armistice.
Stauffenberg arrived with two bombs on 20 Jul 1944 but was unable to arm one of them. In the briefing room where military aides were briefing Hitler, he placed the briefcase with the bomb under the table and near Hitler. He excused himself and left the room. Unfortunately, the briefcase was moved to under a thick leg of the table. When it detonated at 12:42 PM, Stauffenberg believed Hitler had been killed and put Operation Valkyrie into action. Hitler was wounded but not killed but the stenographer and three officers died. However instead of acting right away, many of the conspirators waited until Stauffenberg arrived in Berlin three hours later. By that time rumors of Hitler’s survival sapped the courage of many to go through with their plans. Precious time was lost, and it was too late now.
General Friedrich Fromm, who knew of the plot and condoned it, quickly saved himself by arresting the key conspirators and executing them. Hitler would go on the radio on 21 July 1944 to announce his survival to the nation and that those who had done this would be taken care of. The Gestapo swung into action arresting and torturing the remaining conspirators. Some were hauled before the infamous Volksgericht (People’s Court). There the infamous Nazi judge Roland Freisler handed out death sentences. Some were hung or shot, and a few were strangled with piano wire. Fromm did not escape eventually being arrested, tried, and executed. General Beck was allowed to commit suicide but only wounded himself and had to be shot. The surprising revelation that Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was involved (he knew of the plot but took no active role in its planning or execution) shocked Hitler. Due to his popularity-and to avoid a trial-he was told if he committed suicide his family would be spared. Upon his death from an “illness”, he was given a full military funeral.
The assassination attempt did not weaken Hitler but strengthened it. His grip was tightened, and they went after not just those involved but other enemies, they could get rid of at the same time by claiming they were part of the plot as well. Over 7,000 were arrested and 4,980 were executed. The barbaric deaths of some by piano wire was specifically ordered by Hitler.
Memorials
Memorial to the 20 July Plotters Bendlerblock (Berlin) in 2007 Image: Coenen via Wikimedia Commons
The German government in 1980 decided to create a memorial to the anti-Nazi resistance. Bendlerblock, which was the German Army Headquarters at the time, now has an area set aside as a memorial for Stauffenberg and the other July 20 plotters. Additionally, a permanent exhibition was established showing the various resistance groups that existed in Germany. Finally, the street outside Bendlerblock was renamed Stauffenbergstrasse.
Sources
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “July Plot | History, Leaders, Executions, & Facts,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified July 13, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/July-Plot.
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RMS Titanic under construction. Photo taken between February-March 1912 Original source: Robert John Welch (1859-1936), official photographer for Harland & Wolff Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
Interesting story in Daily Mail about Titanic being unsinkable. Most are probably aware that the ship was considered unsinkable but little historical documentation shows that it was reported that way. However, the Mail reports that some documentation has now emerged that it was considered unsinkable by the public. It began with reports that the ship was so well built that it was “practically unsinkable.” Then you had experienced ship captains like Captain Edward J. Smith (who captained Titanic on its m maiden voyage) expressing his view that the new shipbuilding technology made such ships practically unsinkable. This would be echoed in journals of the day and likely repeated as well in the media.
In short, the idea that it was unsinkable came from the fact it was said it was “practically unsinkable” and then just became unsinkable in many people’s minds. You also must factor in how many looked at the wonderful advances in technology that had come about during this period too. My grandfather, for instance, was born in 1895. In his early years he saw the horse and cart being replaced by cars, railroads connecting everywhere, telephones becoming more common, electric lamps replacing kerosene, and the airplane. In fact, he would fly an airplane for the US Navy in World War I. So, it is no wonder many saw the marvels of technology that seemed to come fast as a sign of things were getting better.
Here you have these massive ships-Olympic and Titanic-built to these new standards symbolizing everything about that age. Sinking, it seemed with all this new technology and ship design, would be a rare event in the new modern age. It is understandable then why so many thought these ships unsinkable. And when Titanic sunk on her maiden voyage with a horrific loss of life, it shattered that dream. As one Titanic survivor said, the world was not the same again. And in a few short years World War I would deliver carnage to Europe not seen before further cementing that view.
A small settlement in Greenland is holding its collective breath as an iceberg of titanic proportions drifts dangerously close to shore — and residents’ homes. For days now, the freakishly large frozen mass has been on a collision course with tiny Innaarsuit — leading local authorities to issue a warning to residents. If the fearsome frosty float were to make contact with the shore or break apart, potential damage and injuries could follow, officials said.
The museum is set to host a never-before-displayed artifact from the Titanic, which showcases an eerily foreboding letter. Another survivor, Archibald Gracie, wrote a letter to one of his friends using the Titanic’s very own stationery when drafting it. The letter included the phrase, “It is a fine ship, but I shall await my journey’s end before I pass judgment on her.”
Its story has captivated audiences through books, movies, museums and more for decades. Soon, you’ll be able to see the Titanic in a new way — through an immersive exhibit coming to Kansas City’s Union Station this fall. “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage,” a world-class exhibition, arrives at Union Station on Nov. 8. Different from previous Titanic events in Kansas City, this event will allow you to board the ship through a recreation of the dock at Southampton, England, then set sail as you travel through rooms of the ship, such as staterooms and the impressive grand staircase, all while you meet fellow passengers, pause for photos, and take part in a moment-by-moment series of events that led to the tragedy.
For tickets, dates and times of operations, go to Unionstation.org.
Suggested Titanic Reading
Behe, George TITANIC: SAFETY, SPEED AND SACRIFICE, Transportation Trails, Polo, IL 1997
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The Storming of the Bastille by Jean-Pierre Houël (1735–1813) National Library of France Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
On 14 July 1789, the storming of the Bastille, a formidable stone prison originally built to protect the eastern entrance to Paris, is considered the launch of the French Revolution and celebrated as a holiday in France. The prison often held political prisoners and was seen as a sign of tyranny. By this time in 1789, the prison only held seven prisoners none of whom were of a political nature. Four were charged with forgery and two were considered mad or lunatics. The Bastille was actually being scheduled for demolition to make way for public square.
France was facing economic and social problems. Louis XVI had inherited considerable debt from his predecessor but continued to spend (along with his wife Marie Antoinette) considerable sums of money further deepening government debt. Crop failures in 1788 led to a national famine and the cost bread prices to soar. Unemployment was a factor as well and many thought they had lost jobs due to lessening of customs duties with England (resulting in more jobs there than in France). With violent food riots breaking out, King Louis XVI tried to resolve it through the Estates-General (a national assembly of clergy, nobility and the common person).
While in theory all three were equal, two of the other parts could outvote the third. This left many deputies upset demanding a greater voice and proclaiming their own National Assembly. This would lead to the famous Tennis Court Oath of 20 June 1789 not to separate until they had a constitution. Many nobles and clergy crossed over to this National Assembly which Louis XVI gave consent to. His ordering of army regiments into Paris though made many fear he was going to break up the assembly by force. The dismissal of Jacques Necker, a non-noble minister for the government on 11 July, triggered massive protests and destruction of custom posts. Custom posts were hated as they imposed taxes on goods.
On 14 July a mob seized muskets and cannons from a military hospital and then decided to get more at the Bastille. The governor of the Bastille saw the mob and invited them in to discuss terms of surrender. Outside the crowd grew restless awaiting word and it is possible some thought the delegates had been arrested. A group climbed over the outer wall and climbed in to open the drawbridge to the courtyard. The governor broke his pledge not to fire and bullets rang out killing 100 outright leaving others wounded. The royals only lost one soldier. The arrival of the French Guards, sympathetic to the mob, would force the governor to surrender after having cannons blasting away at the Bastille. Without adequate provisions, he surrendered the Bastille. Some of the royalist troops would be butchered after the surrender. The governor was taken prisoner and beheaded by the mob.
Aftermath
The Bastille was dismantled, and its only prisoner later would be Louis XVI. He would be executed on 21 January 1793 along with his wife. The French Revolution, once thought a means to reform France into a constitutional monarchy, slid into a revolutionary government that completely overturned the ancien regime. During its tenure, it became increasingly bloody killing off enemies of the new order. Anyone who was thought to disagree with them could be denounced and executed. Instead of creating a better stable system, it became one long food riot as one professor said to me once. And the revolutionaries fought amongst themselves as to who was the better one to lead. That led to more bloody executions and the guillotine became the image of the French Revolution. Ultimately the people tired of this turmoil and wanted order. And it would come from Napoleon Bonaparte, but that is another story.
Sources
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Bastille Day | Definition, History, Traditions, Celebrations, & Facts,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified July 14, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bastille-Day.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “French Revolution | History, Summary, Timeline, Causes, & Facts,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified June 13, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/French-Revolution.
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Titanic leaving Belfast with two guiding tugs, 2 April 1912 Robert John Welch (1859-1936), official photographer for Harland & Wolff Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
St. John’s is the nearest major centre to the wreck of the Titanic and has been the place of departure of Titanic expeditions for years. This includes the infamous Titan submersible in the summer of 2023. This makes St. John’s a prime location for Titanic Tourism. In May of 2025, a brand-new exhibit on The Titanic the opened its doors on Water Street. Owned by Titanic diver Larry Daley, the Titanic and Iceberg Exhibit is a place full of information, replicas, models, props from the 1997 James Cameron Titanic film, and even a controllable R.O.V. When walking down the stairs towards the exhibit, explorers will be greeted with an orchestral version of “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. This song is on a loop in the exhibit.
The exhibit is open daily and costs C$17.00 for general admission. For more information go to www.titanicstjohns.ca.
RMS Leinster, circa 1910, from postcard. Author Unknown Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
On the morning of October 10, 1918, the RMS Leinster set sail from Kingstown to Holyhead, packed with civilians, postal workers, and military personnel. Within the hour, she was torpedoed by a German U-boat—her destruction swift, her loss devastating. There were almost 500 military personnel from the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force. Just before 10 a.m. as the Leinster was sailing east of the Kish Bank in a heavy swell, passengers saw a torpedo approach from the port side and pass in front of the bow. A second torpedo followed shortly afterward, and it struck the ship forward on the port side in the vicinity of the mail room. Despite the heavy seas, the crew managed to launch several lifeboats and some passengers clung to life rafts.
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These installations are impressive, but it’s the 350 artifacts recovered from the wreck site that anchor the exhibit in sobering reality. They’re a study in extremes — the large and the small, the mechanical and the personal, the ravaged and the pristine. Gilded chandeliers are twisted beyond recognition, a reminder of both the tremendous violence of the sinking, which tore the ship’s steel hull like paper, and the immense pressure bearing down at such depths. Yet fragile objects like china, crystal and actual paper escaped the devastation entirely. Heavy metal pots are corroded almost to the point of disintegration, while nearby playing cards — the four of hearts, ace of spades and nine of diamonds — appear untouched. A waiter’s notepad is still legible. A champagne bottle remains sealed, its cork intact and its vintage contents still (theoretically) drinkable.
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Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, USN Picture circa 1856-1858 Metropolitan Museum of Art, online collection (The Met object ID 283184) Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
In 1853 Commodore Matthew Perry led four ships to Japan to establish both trade and diplomatic relations with a country that had barred trade with other nations except The Netherlands and China. Why did the U.S. want trade with Japan and willing to pressure the Japanese with four naval vessels sitting in their waters?
By the mid 19th century, the United States had undergone major changes and now had ports on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. With new steam powered ships now going back and forth from China and other ports in Asia, the need for refueling and provisions were needed for the long voyages. American whalers also operated in the North Pacific needing places to pull into for provisions. Japan, because of its geographic location and its coal, became important for maritime trade. However, Japan was steadfast in keeping its borders closed to everyone but the Dutch and Chinese restricting all international trade to a small island in Nagasaki. And it been that way since the 17th century.
The Tokugawa Shogunate began in 1603 bringing a long period of peace to Japan. Gone were the wars between daimyos vying for power over large areas or Japan itself. A new social and political order emerged resulting in those lords being bound to the shogunate preventing them from acquiring individual power. The shogunate was distrustful of outside influences, and particularly the spread of Christianity in Japan. The Portuguese, who had traded with the Japanese since 1543, were expelled along with Catholic priests. Only the Dutch, who made contact in 1600 when the last surviving ship arrived, would be allowed a trading post on Dejima, an island in Nagasaki which the Portuguese once used. William Adams, the character whom the fictional John Blackthorne is based, became an important advisor to the shogunate acquiring the status of samurai and hatamoto allowing for a trade deal to be signed with the Dutch. Japan would have relations with both China and Korea but no one else.
The period that followed (the Edo Period) saw Japan divided into a society of samurai, artisans, farmers, and merchants. Mobility between them was not allowed and samurai, since there were no battles to be fought, became bureaucrats but were required to keep their fighting skills. Most of the population were peasants who worked on lands were forbidden to do any other work. The economy grew as the agricultural, commerce, and manufacturing sectors became more developed resulting in merchants becoming wealthier. Cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Edo (Tokyo) became centers of culture and wealth during this period. The strictures of the shogunate though caused tension and sometimes uprisings. During periods of famine, the peasants were left with nothing resulting in uprisings. Samurai, relegated to government jobs but required to keep their martial training, also began to resent their status. This was the undercurrent at play when on 8 July 1853 Commodore Perry arrived with his ships in Tokyo Bay.
In 1851 President Millard Fillmore authorized a formal naval expedition to Japan. He desired an agreement that shipwrecked sailors of both countries would be returned to their respective countries. Commodore John Aulick was originally in charge but replaced by Commodore Matthew Perry (who had distinguished himself in the Mexican War) to deliver the letters to the emperor. When his four ships arrived in Tokyo Bay, they were told to leave and go Nagasaki. He refused and ran battle drills daily to impress the Japanese. Neither he nor his government knew at the time the Japanese emperor had no power as it rested entirely with the Tokugawa Shogunate. However, on July 14 two imperial princes-Ido and Toda-came out to greet him and have a formal meeting in a special place constructed for the event.
Meiji era Japanese Woodblock Print Depicting Arrival of Commodore Perry in July 1853 1889 Artist Unknown Source: Pauline Park via pinterest.com
His letters and gifts would be presented asking for a treaty for the exchange of shipwrecked sailors and to open one or two ports for provisions and refueling. Perry would depart Japan, conduct some water depth tests, and return in the spring for Japan’s answer to President Fillmore’s letters. Upon his return in 1854, Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa on March 31, 1854. The treaty was not commercial but allowed Japan to protect stranded American seamen and open two ports-Shimoda and Hakodate- for refueling and provisioning to American ships. It also allowed the U.S. to appoint consuls to represent its interests in those ports as well along with a most favored nation clause that gave the same rights other countries had with Japan. With the appointment of consuls and an opening for trade, it would ensure both nations would develop ties. It would take a little longer for that as the consuls appointed didn’t have a naval fleet sitting in the bay, but it would eventually occur.
Japan was aware of what other European countries were doing in Asia through its relations with China, Korea, and the Dutch. And they saw it was done by military action especially in China. So they decided to enter a commercial treaty in 1858, often called the Harris Treaty for Townsend Harris the American consul who negotiated it. In 1860, the first diplomats arrived in Washington D.C. Other European nations would make their own treaties with Japan. The isolation of Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate had come to an end.
Aftermath
Official photo of Emperor Meiji 1873 Photo: Uchida Kuichi The Cleveland Museum of Art Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Tokugawa Shogunate was in a weakened state at the time of Commodore Perry’s arrival in 1853. Tensions had been growing for some time and the treaty signed in 1854 enraged many seeing as a capitulation to an outside power. In 1867 two clans- Choshu and Satsuma-combined and toppled the Tokugawa Shogunate declaring an imperial restoration (the Meiji Restoration). In 1889 the Meiji Constitution was enacted creating a parliament (called the Diet). Both the prime minister and cabinet were appointed by the emperor. It would remain in effect until 1947.
Japan entered a rapid period of modernization by importing experts from abroad to build new industries, develop and modernize their armed forces, and trade with the world. The old feudal system was abolished and people for the most part could do things that previously were closed to them. Edo was renamed Tokyo (meaning eastern capital), and the emperor moved his residence there becoming the capital. Some of the modernization began under the Shogunate but it accelerated after it was toppled. It emulated and learned much from both the United States and Europe. By 1904, it was contesting Russia over its desire to expand into the Pacific on the Korean and Liaodong peninsulas. Russia wanted a warm water port and Japan was wary of their intentions. This would result in war in 1904 between the two powers. After a surprise attack on the Russians at Port Arthur in China, a bloody war would result. The Russians would send a massive fleet 8,000 miles to retake Port Arthur only to see it sunk by the Japanese. The world was stunned at what the Japanese had done in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. Japan won the war, and it was clear warning to the world Japan was a power to be contended with.
HISTORY.com Editors, “Meiji Restoration,” HISTORY.Com, last modified July 3, 2025, accessed July 8, 2025, https://www.history.com/articles/meiji-restoration.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Matthew C. Perry | US Naval Officer, Japan Expedition Leader,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified July 20, 1998, accessed July 8, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Matthew-C-Perry.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Tokugawa Period | Definition & Facts,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified July 20, 1998, accessed July 8, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/Tokugawa-period.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Meiji Restoration | Summary, Effects, Social Changes, Significance, End, & Facts,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified June 18, 2025, accessed July 8, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/Meiji-Restoration.
