R.M.S. TITANIC LIFEBOAT 1/THE MONEY BOAT: Able Seaman Albert...

Hammer

£11,000

R.M.S. TITANIC LIFEBOAT 1/THE MONEY BOAT: Able Seaman Albert Horswill survived the Titanic disaster in lifeboat 1 otherwise known as the money boat, which gained infamy due to it being launched with only 12 souls aboard, the fewest to escape in any boat that fateful night. According to testimony by Robert Pusey a fellow survivor, a conversation concerning money took place around 3am, nearly 1 hour after Titanic sank, prompted by a private comment Lady Duff Gordon made to her maid Mabel Francatilli "There is your beautiful nightdress gone". Overhearing this exchange, Pusey replied "Never mind, you've saved your lives". Each surviving crewman received a cheque for £5, drawn on Coutts bank, from Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon an act that was construed by some as one of generosity but by others as a bribe to save their lives. This lot includes the actual silver pocket watch Albert Horswill wore that fateful night and is sold with
a signed letter of provenance from his great nephew corroborating the fact. Also included in the lot is Able Seaman Horswill's sailor's ditty box, with engraved brass plaque A.E. Horswell (sic, Horswill). NB: The ditty box did not travel on board the Titanic. 12ins.