Nearly 100 years ago, the RMS Titanic sank in the Atlantic after striking an iceberg. Over 1,500 died, and the event continues to serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of overconfidence. There were many who risked their lives to save those on the sinking Titanic, including Sir Arthur Henry Rostron. Rostron was the master of the ocean liner RMS Carpathia, which was also in the North Atlantic when it received a distress call from the Titanic.
Rostron was awoken by his wireless operator, and sprung into action, directing the Carpathia toward the sinking ship and navigating through dangerous ice. The Carpathia picked up 712 survivors from the water and the Titanic‘s life boats. Rostron was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal “For the heroic rescue of the survivors of the Titanic/ Lost in Mid-Atlantic.”
The above bronze medal also commemorates Rostron’s action on the night of the Titanic‘s sinking, and will be on display in the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, along with other items from our collection in Titanic Voices. Items include a portrait of a couple who perished in the crash, and an eyewitness account of the ship’s sinking. The Children’s Museum will also host a reading of Titanic Sinks! with author Barry Denenberg on April 15.