R.M.S. TITANIC: George W. Bowyer Archive. George William Bow...

Hammer

£5,200

R.M.S. TITANIC: George W. Bowyer Archive. George William Bowyer was born on the 16th of October 1859 at The Cottage, West Gate, Southampton.
At 11am on the morning of the 10th of April 1912, George Bowyer arrived aboard Titanic at Berth 44 and spent some time discussing with Captain Smith and the officers the draft of water and other considerations for the maiden voyage of Titanic. Technically speaking, Bowyer was in charge of Titanic until it reached the Nab lightship, southeast of Bembridge, at which point he would disembark.
At noon, tugs eased Titanic away from her berth and under Bowyer's, pilotage the Titanic began her journey down the River Test, passing Berth 38, too close to the moored R.M.S. Oceanic (quayside) and S.S. New York (moored to the Oceanic outboard in the river). Titanic's increased displacement of tonnage caused the New York to be dragged in towards Titanic.
Captain Edward John Smith was on the bridge and stepped in to give a new order in manoeuvring Titanic, thus preventing an actual collision. After an hour's delay and assistance from tugboats, Titanic finally departed Southampton and slowly wound her way through the Solent.
The lot comprises George Bowyer's handwritten parchment bound log books that document his career. Notable entries include Piloting Olympic, Titanic and Britannic on their maiden voyages, Olympic's Hawke incident and Inquiry attendance, Olympic sinking a German submarine whilst a troopship April/May 1918 (Mr Bowyer aboard the ship left for the USA with Naval escorts but adverse conditions prevented him being returned to Southampton so continued on to New York). The log describes in details Titanic entry 10th April Took her away, 14th April Struck iceberg 11.40pm piloting Titanic. Plus logbook Two and Three 1934-1945. Provenance via family descent.