GOING through the contents of a war damaged safe after returning from his recent Australian tour Mr. Hector Young, O.B.E., former Southampton Mayor, came across a tattered postcard and a letter which brought back memories of the ill-fated White Star liner Titanic.

Many lessons were learnt from the disaster, one being the need for an international ice patrol.

The card which Mr. Young found was in colour, and showed the four-funnel Titanic, - similar in design to the Aquitania - at speed with a sailing vessel nearby and another four-funnel liner in the background.

"Ship is wonderful"

It was addressed to Mr. John Young, 5 The Avenue, Southampton, signed "H.P." and contained the message: "Everything very fine up to now. No sickness anywhere. The ship is wonderful. Wished you could have come."

The letter written on board the Titanic on April 10,. was sent to Mr. Hector Young by Mr. H. P. Hodges, a Southampton solicitor [sic], who was among the passengers lost.

In the course of the letter Mr. Hodges wrote: "You do not notice anything of the movement of this ship, but the weather is very fine.

"On the top deck there are about 20 boys, from 20 upwards, marching round and singing. Others are playing dominoes and cards in the saloons. Some are reading, some writing.

"Everything is quite different from what you would expect to see at sea . . . I am going to bed early for I feel as tired as a dead dog."