“I Shall Soon Be With You Again”: A Letter Written Aboard the Titanic
Steward Jack Butterworth mailed this letter to his fiancee from Queenstown, the Titanic’s last port of call. It leads the ocean liner lots in this fall’s sale, with a real photo postcard of the ship and an 1897 document signed by Captain E. J. Smith.
The Last Mail Off the Titanic
Almost nothing written aboard the Titanic survives. What does is the mail that left the ship, and the last of it went ashore at Queenstown, Ireland, on April 11, 1912.
One of those letters was written by Jack Butterworth, a 23-year-old first class saloon steward, to his fiancee in Southampton. Four days later he was lost with the ship. His letter leads the ocean liner lots in Weiss Auctions’ Fall Historical Auction, alongside a real photo postcard of the Titanic and a document signed by her captain, E. J. Smith.
What Titanic items are in the Fall Historical Auction?
The ocean liner lots are led by a two-page handwritten letter headed “RMS Titanic, Queenstown,” April 1912, from steward Jack Butterworth to his fiancee May Hinton, offered with his portrait postcard. They also include an “S.S. Titanic” real photo postcard showing the liner at Southampton and an 1897 SS Majestic Certificate of Discharge signed by Captain E. J. Smith.
A Letter Home from the Maiden Voyage
Butterworth headed his two-page letter “RMS Tiatanic. Queenstown 12th Apl 1912.” He was writing in a hurry: the ship’s name is misspelled and the date is off by a day, since the Titanic called at Queenstown on April 11.
A Firsthand Account of the New York Near-Collision
He opens with the incident that almost ended the voyage at the dock, in what could be the most important firsthand account of the near-collision with the New York. As the Titanic left Southampton, the liner New York broke her moorings and swung toward her. “You could have tossed a penny from our ship to her she was so close,” he wrote.
The rest is for May: “I shall soon be with you again all being well.” His postscript asks her to write ahead to Plymouth, the first port on the return crossing, and to send a football paper.
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Read the full letter
RMS Tiatanic. Queenstown 12th Apl 1912
My Darling Girl,
We have been having a very fierce time in this steamer. I suppose you heard of the accident that occured to the New York as we sailed this ship carried so much water between the Oceanic & New York that the York broke all her ropes & sailed all on her own, you could have tossed a penny from our ship to her she was so close, it was a good job she did not hit us as it would have been another case of the Hawke colis. Well dearest how do you feel, pretty lonely I guess after me being home for so long, but still we cannot grumble my dear as we have had a real good & happy time & I am so happy to think everything is alright. Well there is one consolation about it I shall soon be with you again all being well.
We do really enjoy ourselves when I am home, well I do not see why we should not anyhow, & again I think it does us both good for me to go away for a little stretch don’t you dear?
There are quite a lot of American Line men here so it is a little better for us to see a few old faces. Our shore stwd. was aboard yes’day before we sailed & he saw me, so he said “hello have you signed here” so I said yes! & then he said see & come back in time for your own ship, so of course I thanked him & said yes, which I may do if things do not turn out good here. Well now close sweetheart take care of yourself dear love to all at home & fondest love to yourself dearest
Yours Always
Jack.
Dont forget Plymouth & a football paper
Delivered on Her Twenty-First Birthday
Butterworth did not come home. His body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett and buried at sea on April 24, 1912. According to Encyclopedia Titanica, the letter reached May Hinton on April 20, her 21st birthday, the same day White Star Line told her he was not among the survivors.
The letter and portrait were sold together at Christie’s in 2003.
RMS Titanic Southampton Real Photo Postcard
This original photographic postcard, captioned “S.S. TITANIC.”, shows the liner from the bow at her Southampton berth with signal flags flying from her rigging. The Titanic was dressed in flags on Good Friday, April 5, 1912, five days before she sailed. It is widely described as the only time she ever was.
The card was mailed from Southampton, with a King George V halfpenny stamp and a handwritten message on the reverse.
Titanic Captain E. J. Smith Signed 1897 Document
Fifteen years before the Titanic, Edward John Smith was captain of the White Star liner SS Majestic. This 1897 Board of Trade Certificate of Discharge bears his signature, “E. J. Smith,” on the master’s line.
It was issued to a 24-year-old Glasgow-born fireman after a New York voyage, with Very Good ratings for conduct and ability. Smith died in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.
More Ocean Liner Lots, Aviation and Entertainment
These are not the only ocean liner lots in the Fall Historical Auction. The sale of nearly 500 lots also features aviation and space autographs led by Neil Armstrong, and entertainment memorabilia led by a signed 1968 Jimi Hendrix recording contract.
Bid on Titanic History at Weiss Auctions
The Butterworth letter and portrait, the Titanic postcard and the Captain Smith signed document will be offered in the Fall Historical Auction. Sale dates, lot numbers and bidding links will be posted shortly.
The Titanic Letter and Ocean Liner Lots
Who was Jack Butterworth?
Why is the letter dated April 12 when the Titanic was at Queenstown on April 11?
What is the Captain Smith signed document?
Are the Titanic items sold together?
When will these items be auctioned?
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