Arthur Rostron Titanic sextant sells for $95,000

A sextant belonging to Carpathia captain Arthur Rostron headlined an auction of Titanic memorabilia at Henry Aldridge & Son on April 23.

It sold for ?�66,000 ($95,162), an increase of 32% on an estimate of ?�50,000 ($72,092).

Arthur Rostron sextant
Arthur Rostron acquired the sextant during his cadet training in the 1880s 

The Carpathia was first on the scene after the Titanic sent out its distress signal on April 15, 1912.

Thanks to Rostron and his crew, many hundreds of people were saved from the Titanic's lifeboats.

The sextant is constructed from brass and is housed in its original mahogany box, complete with Rostron's initials.

Rostron acquired it while carrying out his cadet training on the HMS Conway in the 1880s and used it throughout his career.

It was almost certainly used to chart a course to the stricken Titanic.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, told the Scottish Herald: "This is without doubt one of the most important pieces of Titanic memorabilia due to the integral part Sir Arthur played in the rescue of the surviving 705 men, woman and children."

Last year, a silver loving cup presented to Rostron by "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown on behalf of a number of wealthy survivors sold for $198,000.  

The sale also included a VIP ticket to the Titanic's launch on May 31, 1911.

It realised ?�15,000 ($21,627).

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