Historic Titanic Newspaper Unearthed in Wardrobe After 112 Years

A chilling newspaper published in the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic has been discovered after 112 years in a wardrobe.

The edition of The Daily Mirror from April 20, 1912, which features a photo of two women waiting for the list of survivors to be posted on a wall in Southampton, was found in a house in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

The front page of the newspaper captures the anxiety of families awaiting news of the survivors in Southampton.

Almost 1,500 people died when the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean on April 14, 1912.

Hansons Auctioneers unearthed the newspaper from the wardrobe. Charles Hanson, the owner of the company, described it as a "valuable piece of social history."

Hansons Auctioneers auctioned the newspaper for £34 on Tuesday. Hanson remarked, "The sinking of the Titanic has been heavily documented in films, TV shows, and books, and we know much about those who lost their lives."

"This find reminds us of the many bereaved families and friends—heartbroken mothers, fathers, and wives," Charles Hanson added.

The article described the picture as "tragedy upon tragedy." Southampton was the home of the majority of the crew members.

"A list of the saved was posted outside the White Star offices, and mothers and wives who had been hoping against hope eagerly read the names, only to find their worst fears were realized," it read.

"By this appalling disaster, mothers have been robbed of sons, wives of husbands, and young girls of sweethearts. It was a terrible day in the history of the town, though it put an end to all suspense."

The newspaper is a double page spread with photographs of some of the victims.

Hanson said the woman whose wardrobe the paper was found in kept newspapers marking several major events, including the coronation of King George V in 1911. He noted that the focus on the Titanic often centers on the victims themselves rather than their families.

"But when you see the faces of those affected, it’s very moving," he said.

The Titanic, once considered "practically unsinkable," remains one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history.