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Titanic British Enquiry Plan and Sections

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:80,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD
Titanic British Enquiry Plan and Sections

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Auction Date:2014 Apr 24 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
An extraordinarily rare original cross-section and plan labeled “S. S. ‘Titanic,’” in the lower left corner and marked “No. 8” in the upper right corner, 30? x 26?, drawn to a scale of 1/32 inches to one foot, and rubber stamped by Harland and Wolff, with a handwritten date within the stamp of May 1, 1912, just one day before the opening statements were given at the British enquiry, at which this plan was used. The plan consists of seven detailed drawings of the ship, with a bow to stern cross section at the top, followed by overhead views of the Boat Deck, Promenade Deck A, Poop Deck, Bridge Deck B, Forecastle Deck, and Shelter Deck. It has been initialed by a member of the Engineering Department.

Other recognizable features are the impressive staircases, the wheelhouse and captain’s quarters, the engine and turbine room, crew facilities, and several raised roofs over first-class areas. There are several hand-done annotations, including the relabeling of “Restaurant” to “Cafe Parisien,” and labels for the “3rd Cl. Promenade” and deck levels. Plans are mounted to an identical size board and are matted and framed to an overall size of 32? x 28?. In very good to fine condition, with some scattered light creases and a few spots of scattered light toning and soiling. There is also a long tear through the representations of the lifeboats, previously repaired with a long piece of tape, which protected the area from the toning that the rest of the plan has undergone; the tape has since been professionally removed, leaving the section a brighter white than the remainder.

The most remarkable features of this plan are the two crucial hand-drawn elements that relate to both the engineering changes on the ship and the investigation subsequent to the sinking. First, there are extensions drawn over the watertight bulkheads at the bow up to D deck—this engineering change was made to allow the ship to stay afloat with up to four compartments flooded. The letters identifying each level of the deck are also hand-drawn, making it easier to observe the rising water levels as the ship sank in relation to the bulkhead door heights. Second, there is a hand-drawn gash in the side of the ship at Boiler #6, where the iceberg was hit. Approximately five compartments back from the bow—beyond the extended bulkheads—the location of the strike allowed water to enter the ship right at the point at which she could no longer stay afloat.

The official enquiry by the British Wreck Commissioner into the sinking of the Titanic was convened in London on May 2, 1912, and presided over by High Court Judge Lord Mersey. Spanning over two months, Mersey, lawyers, experts in shipbuilding and marine law questioned and listened to testimony from over 100 witnesses. Concluding on July 3, 1912, the final report was issued on July 30, stating that the sinking was the result of the ship’s collision with the iceberg, and not due to any design flaws with the ship, and that the collision had been brought about by excessive speed in icy waters. The report was widely well-received by the press, and stopped short of condemning White Star or Captain Smith for the accident. Along with the American hearings, the British enquiry would result in several safety changes including 24-hour manned radios, distress rockets, ice patrols, and sufficient lifeboats on board each ship. Items of this magnitude used in the official inquiry are virtually unobtainable, this being one of only two plans that have ever come to market.

This piece was discovered at the old Cunard Line office, which merged with White Star Line in 1934. Originally sold by Onslow’s in London, April 15, 1987, as part of Lot 22, the plan then went on display at the Ulster Museum in Belfast. It was then offered at auction by Henry Aldridge & Son, at which time it became a part of a distinguished private collection. It has since been on display at the Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri.