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Picture gallery

This gallery brings together archive photographs and sound clips of oral testimony from the city library, oral history and others together to published a range of images and accounts.

In the early 1980s oral historians interviewed Titanic survivors and local people in Southampton about their memories of 'the unsinkable ship', which later formed the basis of the best-selling book 'Titanic Voices'.

The extracts in this collection describe people's excitement at the sight of the new ship in the docks, passengers' boarding, the near-collision with the New York as she left the docks. As the story unfolds, the interviewees describe the ship striking the iceberg and the events that followed - the launch of the lifeboats, the hours on the lifeboats until rescue by the Carpathia at dawn. Meanwhile, Southampton residents speak of the 'great hush descending on the town'. And finally, the memories of those who lost family and friends speak of the effect it had on their lives.

Titanic Images

Titanic leaving Southampton on her maiden voyage, 10th April 1912

Titanic leaving Southampton on her maiden voyage, 10th April 1912 - Photograph no 1: Reference OH/MAR/0378

Titanic in Southampton docks, 10th April 1912

Titanic in Southampton docks, 10th April 1912

Eileen Schefer (nee Lenox-Conyngham), travelling from Southampton to Cherbourg for a family holiday at the age of 12.

"Then we went in the morning to Southampton and I was absolutely staggered by how enormous the Titanic was because we'd been used to the small cross channel boats and her size and the beauty of her line, she was absolutely lovely, unbelievably lovely."

Elsie Doling, her sister-in-law Ada Julia Doling (nee Bone) and Frederick Wheeler, valet to Alfred Vanderbilt on the promenade deck at Queenstown.

Elsie Doling, her sister-in-law Ada Julia Doling (nee Bone) and Frederick Wheeler, valet to Alfred Vanderbilt on the promenade deck at Queenstown.

Titanic proceeds down Southampton Water.

Titanic proceeds down Southampton Water.

The first class writing room of the Olympic.

The first class writing room of the Olympic.

Lord Pirrie and Captain Smith on board the Olympic.

Lord Pirrie and Captain Smith on board the Olympic.

Picture in a newspaper that was drawn from a sketch by an eye-witness on the Titanic.

Drawn from a sketch by an eye-witness on the Titanic.

Sidney Daniels on board the Olympic

Sidney Daniels on board the Olympic.

Eva Hart with her parents shortly before they sailed on the Titanic

Eva Hart with her parents, shortly before they sailed on the Titanic.

Survivors being picked up by the Carpathia

Survivors being picked up by the Carpathia (photograph no 10: Reference OH/MAR/0513). The photograph is from the Oral History Archive and is copyright © of Southampton City Council. For copies of the photograph contact the Oral History Unit.

Drawing of the sinking of the Titanic

Drawing of the sinking of the Titanic (photograph no 11: Reference OH/MAR/0532). The photograph is from the Oral History Archive and is copyright © of Southampton City Council. For copies of the photograph contact the Oral History Unit.

The Carpathia, the rescuing liner.

Survivors on the deck of the Carpathia

Outside the White Star offices, Canute Road. The only remaining hope for the watchers was the alteration of names wrongly posted in the confusion.

Outside the White Star offices, Canute Road. The only remaining hope for the watchers was the alteration of names wrongly posted in the confusion. Photograph no 14 - the photograph is from the Oral History Archive and is copyright © of Southampton City Council. For copies of the photograph contact the Oral History Unit.

Newsboy outside White Star offices.

Families congregate outside the White Star offices in Southampton.

Families congregate outside the White Star offices in Southampton. The photograph is from the Oral History Archive and is copyright © of Southampton City Council. For copies of the photograph contact the Oral History Unit.

Millbank Street, Northam, in the heart of Southampton's dockland community, 1912.

Millbank Street, Northam in the heart of Southampton's dockland community, 1912. The photograph is from the Oral History Archive and is copyright © of Southampton City Council. For copies of the photograph contact the Oral History Unit.

The first survivors arriving in Southampton.

The first survivors arriving in Southampton. Photograph no 18: Reference OH/MAR/0368. The photograph is from the Oral History Archive and is copyright © of Southampton City Council. For copies of the photograph contact the Oral History Unit.

Titanic Engineers' Memorial, Andrew's Park, Southampton.