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1650

William Murdoch

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
William Murdoch

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Auction Date:2012 Apr 26 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
First officer on the Titanic (1873–1912) who was the officer in charge on the bridge when the Titanic collided with an iceberg. After the collision, he was put in charge of the starboard evacuation during which he launched 10 lifeboats, accounting for almost 75% of the survivors. ALS signed “Wm. M. Murdoch,” two pages, 5 x 8, embossed White Star On Board R.M.S. ‘Adriatic’ letterhead, July 4, 1909. Letter to “Dear Miss Nancy.” In full: “Your letter of June 24th came to hand on my arrival at Hampton 6 days ago, glad to learn that you are all O.K. You should have rec’d 4 P[ost]/c[ard]s altogether & Mr. Owen says he sent one. We have had a wretched time one way & another since we left Liverpool, strikes over N. York side & every body & everything strange at our new port on this side. I just returned from Scotland on Tuesday after having been up seeing my sister married, as you see how little time I have had on my hands.

I have never heard a thing from or about Dr. Blackwood, what on earth has become of him? Mr. Owen says he will write you or rather Miss May a long letter when his hand gets better. With kind remembrances to Miss Maggie, Miss May, Mr. & Mrs. Watkins & also to yourself.” In the lower left of the second page, Murdoch adds a brief postscript which reads, “Will send some more American p/cs. WMM.” In fine condition, with some scattered mild toning and soiling, a bit heavier along horizontal folds of first page.

In 1909, Murdoch was serving as first officer aboard the Adriatic, the largest ship of the White Star fleet and the line’s flagship. The Adriatic was under the command of Captain Edward Smith, who was the most senior captain in the company and would later command the Titanic. Aboard the Adriatic, Murdoch also served with later Titanic crew member Joseph Boxhall, and he remained first officer on the Adriatic until May 1911, when he was sent to Belfast to join the Olympic, Titanic’s sister ship. Murdoch is almost unobtainable: of the three letters known to exist, two are housed is museums and the third is offered here. This is a true Titanic rarity!
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