RMS Titanic rare manuscript by crewman Charles Morgan sells in UK

Morgan, Titanic's assistant store keeper, perished when the ship sank - but this manuscript survives

A lot of buzz surrounds rare manuscripts from RMS Titanic at the moment. Recent sales have included the auctioning of two important letters in Oceanside, New York, US, on March 2. You can read more about those here.

Now a UK auction house is following suit. Included in its April 4 auction is a letter written by Charles Morgan. Mr Morgan was from Birkenhead, UK, and worked aboard Titanic. But, like 1,157 of his fellow passengers, Charles didn't survive the sinking.

His letter did, however. The note was among a cache of letters sent from RMS Titanic as she passed Queenstown in Ireland, today known as Cobh. As with the two letters mentioned above, Morgan's note is scribed on Titanic-headed paper.

Endless fascination for collectors: RMS Titanic in Southampton docks

The note, written by 41-year-old Charles to his mother, is headed "April 11 near Queenstown". He writes: "We have had a nice run so far but have been terribly busy but it will be easier when we settle down."

"There are about 1000 passengers 1st 2nd 3rd which is not too many for a ship like this she is simply magnificent."

Tragically, Charles ends the letter with the words "Best love to everybody, Charlie ... Due back in Southampton 27th April."

Charles's story is an interesting one. His life prior to serving aboard Titanic included serving in the Boer war. On April 4, 1912, he signed-on at Southampton to become the RMS Titanic's assistant store keeper.

Morgan's service aboard Titanic was a last-minute decision, according to the auctioneer.

The letter will auction in Stockport, on the anniversary of Morgan's signing-on at Southampton, April 4, and is expected to sell for £8,000-£12,000.

Recent and related articles

  'Shipwrecked' Chateau Latour from an 1870s liner surfaces in Cheshire auction | 8 March 2012

  William Colenso's microscope sent by J D Hooker goes up for sale in NZ auction | 1 March 2012

  Autographed Martin Luther King Jr book offered in US African Americana sale | 29 February 2012

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