Liverpool Mercury March 1st, 1913
TITANIC Claims
Lost Titanic
Pending legal proceedings
Claims aggregate a million and a quarter
On both sides of the Atlantic considerable interest attaches to the proceedings which are pending against the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company in connection to the loss of life and property caused by the foundering of the White Star Liner TITANIC in April last.
In addition to several test actions in the English courts, claims aggregating nearly, £1.250,000 have already been filed in the United States.
The fundamental questions for decision are [says the, “Westminster Gazette”] whether the company is liable at all, and, if liable is it entitled to limit its responsibility under American law for damages to the amount of the passage and freight money paid for the particular voyage, together with the value of the salvage – about £20,000 in all – or can payments under the British statute limiting shipowner’s liability for loss of life to £15 per ton, and loss of property £8 per ton, which in the case of the TITANIC amount to a sum not far short of a million sterling. The issue is therefore of supreme importance.
It is not expected a decision will be arrived at in the U.S, courts before June at the earliest, and probably not even then, while, so far as this country is concerned, the situation is further complicated by the fact that on the back of the steerage tickets was a clause exempting the company from damages due to negligence.
No claims have been made by Mr John Jacob ASTOR or the family of the late Mr Charles M. HAYES, former president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.
The largest sum, £200,000, is claimed by Mrs Irene Wallack HARRIS, widow of Henry B. HARRIS, who was interested in many theatrical ventures, while, in addition, she asks, £5.500 for her own personal effects including a pearl necklace valued at £2.000.
Mrs Charlotte CARDEZA, of Germanstown, seeks to receive, £35,000, for her wardrobe and other property, the inventory mentioning such items as a pink diamond worth, £4.000, hatpins costing, £100, and a white petticoat estimated at £19.
The claim submitted by Mrs Lily MILLET of New York, for the loss of her husband, the well known artist, is £20.000, and Mrs Mary FUTRELLE, widow of Mr Jacques FUTRELLE, author, asks £60.000.
Moreover, £20.000, is wanted for the loss of an oil painting entitled, “The Circassian at the Bath”, £11.000, for 110.000 feet of moving picture films £2.000, by the Countess of Rothes for the loss of personal property, including a diamond marquise ring worth £200, some old lace, and a set of black fox and ermine furs, and, in the case of one family, father, mother and four children, that went down with the liner, £30.000, is claimed by the grandparents.
Further snippet, April 5th,
Mr Sydney BUXTON replying to Douglas HALL in the House of commons, said he was not satisfied that owing to the wording in the passenger’s contract, a shipowner could legally escape liability.
The smallest claim made up to now is £9, by the United States Government, the value of a mail bag containing registered articles from the warship SCORPION, which when the TITANIC disappeared, was stationed at Constantinople.
Wreaths over the wreck
A tribute is being arranged in memory of their husbands by Mrs Jacques FUTRELLE, Mrs Henry HARRIS and Mrs George THORNE, who are widows as a result of the TITANIC disaster.
On April 13th accompanied by many other women who were similarly robbed of their husbands, they sail from Boston to Europe. The voyage will be timed to bring them on the scene of the disaster on the morning of April 15th, the anniversary of the disaster. At 2.15 they will offer their tributes to their departed husbands, by tossing baskets of flowers, wreathes and cut blossoms upon the waves, a memorial service will be held by the chaplain of the liner.
Liverpool Mercury
IN MEMORIAL
April, 19th
EVANS in loving memory of our beloved son, George Richard, who departed this life in the Titanic diaster, April 15th, 1912, his father, mother, 38. Garnett Ave, Liverpool.
HARRISON, In most loving and honoured memory of Norman, 2nd Engineer of the steamer Titanic, who laid down his life in the fulfilment of his duty when the vessel foundered off the coast of Newfoundland on the morning of April 15th, 1912.
Fidelle usque ad mortem.
"steel true and blade straight, the Great Artificer made my mate."
copyright 2002 / To date