Harold Cottam

[Sam S Lanz]

I'm doing a moc-trial on the titanic in school, and I was given the part of Harold Cottam. I've read alot about him on thie site, but does anyone know what happened to him after the Titanic sank, also I read in a few books, that Harold Bride said the Carpathia's wireless operator was acting queer...but then when I read in other books and stuff it didnt look like Harold Cottam did anything wrong. Why did Harold Bride call him this?

 

[Dave Gittins]

By "queer" Bride meant that Cottam was in such a state of exhaustion that he was no longer functioning properly mentally. That was after he'd been awake for over 50 hours. Playing him in that state will test your talent!

In my own opinion, Cottam was shamefully treated by Captain Rostron, who left him to his own devices. The poor devil didn't even get fed for over a day! If he did anything wrong two things occur to me. During the rescue mission he failed to keep a log. He was not that busy that he could not have recorded his exchanges with Titanic properly. After the survivors were picked up he should have given notice that he was going off the air to get some sleep. While the clerical work was being done he could have prepared himself better to transmit survivors names by night.

Another thing you might consider when playing him is whether he and Bride really conspired to keep the disaster story to themselves so they could sell it to the press in New York. Personally, I don't think they did. I think they just muddled through without any clear plan but others may not agree.

 

[Phillip Gowan]

Hi Sam,
Here's the information from Harold Cottam's death certificate--hope this helps a little.

Phil

REGISTRATION DISTRICT: Nottingham
ADMINISTRATIVE ARE: Nottinghamshire

NAME AND SURNAME: Harold COTTAM

DATE OF DEATH: Thirtieth May 1984

PLACE OF DEATH: Forest Dene
Gregory Boulevard
Nottingham

SEX: Male

DATE OF BIRTH: 27th January 1891

PLACE OF BIRTH: Southwell, Notts.

OCCUPATION: A Mercantile Wireless Operator (Retired)

USUAL RESIDENCE: Forest Dene
Gregory Boulevard
Nottingham

INFORMANT: Ronald Renney

QUALIFICATION: Causing the Body to be Cremated

CAUSE OF DEATH: Bronchopneumonia

CERTIFICATION: B. C. Roy, M.B.