Maritime Archive and Library

Titanic telegram

Archive reference D/TSA/1

This telegraph is taken from a collection that comprises two albums of original telegraphic messages sent from the Carpathia, the vessel that rescued 704 survivors from the Titanic.

This particular telegrams was sent by JB Ismay, managing director of the White Star Line (the company that owned the Titanic) and passenger on the liner, informing the company's New York office of the disaster.

Transcript

'The Marconi International Marine Communication Company Ltd.

Date: 17th April 1912
Origin: Carpathia
Sent: 5.50am

To: Islefrank New York

Deeply regret advise your Titanic sunk this morning fifteenth after collision iceberg resulting serious loss life further particulars later. Bruce Ismay'

Handwritten note below the telegram reads:

'New York time throughout used'.