Mythmaking and the Archival Record

The article examines how archival records preserved by the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) provide a counter-narrative to the mythologized accounts of the Titanic disaster. The study focuses on the role of archives in uncovering historical truths obscured by cultural memory and mythmaking.

Mythmaking Process

The Titanic disaster has been transformed into a cultural myth, emphasizing heroism and sacrifice while often excluding politically sensitive realities such as labour issues and class disparities.

SCI’s Archival Perspective

The SCI archives provide an intimate, ground-level view of the Titanic tragedy, including documents like correspondence, scrapbooks, and records that capture real-time reactions to the event. These materials offer insights into the sailors’ experiences, safety concerns, and the immediate impact on New York’s maritime community.

Labor and Reform

The article highlights how the Titanic disaster spurred labour unrest and maritime reform. Survivors’ grievances, such as the denial of fair compensation and poor safety standards, led to protests and strikes, including the mutiny on Titanic’s sister ship, RMS Olympic. The tragedy also accelerated safety reforms, culminating in the International Ice Patrol’s creation and the Seamen’s Act of 1915, which improved maritime labour conditions.

Cultural Intersection:

SCI’s role as a meeting point for working-class sailors and upper-class benefactors is explored. Events like the cornerstone-laying ceremony for SCI’s headquarters, coinciding with the Titanic’s sinking, became sites for mourning and reflection.

Archivist’s Role

The study underscores the importance of archivists in preserving records that challenge dominant narratives and support a rehistoricized understanding of events.