The Titanic Man

While vacationing on the SS. Carpathia in the middle of the Atlantic, Carlos F. Hurd, a veteran journalist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, became an unsuspecting link to the world’s greatest maritime disaster when the luxury liner, S.S. Titanic, struck an iceberg and sank during its maiden voyage the fateful night of April 15, 1912.

Operating under strict orders from Carpathia’s Captain Arthur H. Rostron, who barred interviews with any of the 705 onboard Titanic survivors, the undaunted reporter, nevertheless, seized upon his news-gathering instinct.

During the rescue vessel’s four-day return to New York, Hurd dramatically captured — then cleverly delivered — the ultimate, heart-wrenching “scoop of the century” to an anxious world.

Hurd’s nearly 5,000-word-filled story was officially recognized and adopted by the Associated Press. This gripping first-hand account was immediately telegraphed to all parts of the globe — thus becoming the earliest authoritative insight into the unthinkable truth of the Titanic.

Now Mr. Hurd’s journalistic achievement can be known in full, meticulously researched by Vera and John Gillespie.