
Tony Whittaker
Member
I am fascinated to know on what timescale and route the news came to mainland UK. I understand that the first European newspaper to give a categorical report of the sinking was the Belfast Telegraph on the Monday afternoon. The London Times of Tuesday morning was sketchy. By the afternoon, the Liverpool Echo had a detailed and largely accurate overview. We know that White Star in New York knew fairly early on the Monday and they would surely have telegraphed Liverpool and Southampton White Star offices before long, in terms of great embargo. Liverpool White Star telegraphed Royal Mail London on the Monday suggesting the mails, and ship, were safe. Cunard NY probably told Cunard Liverpool, also in strict confidence and in code, what they knew from Captain Rostron. So I am wondering when the rumour mill started in Liverpool, when relatives started to gather outside the company offices. Surely, with the news in a Belfast paper, someone in the maritime world or beyond would have phoned or telegraphed Liverpool. Once the news was out, perhaps before the Tuesday papers, it would travel through Liverpool at the speed of a tramcar (or phones for the rich who had them). So I am wondering if it was out in Liverpool, London and Southampton by the Monday evening.