Titanic survivor’s account fetches $32K in British auction

WASHINGTON - A Titanic survivor’s first hand description of the sinking of the ocean liner has fetched 32000 dollars in a British auction.

The affidavit signed by Laura Mabel Francatelli, who got away in a lifeboat, easily topped its pre-sale estimate of 24,000 and was bought by an anonymous collector from Eastern Europe.

In Francatelli’s affidavit, she spoke of hearing an ‘awful rumbling’ as the Titanic sunk in the icy North Atlantic.

The most expensive item in Saturday’s sale was a poster of the Titanic, which went for 96,000 dollars to an anonymous U.S. collector.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge of Henry Aldridge and Son says it is the highest price ever paid for a poster of the doomed ship.

Francatelli was a maid to Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff-Gordon and her account tells of how she and her mistress refused to board a lifeboat unless Sir Cosmo joined them, which he at first refused until an officer insisted.

“We were dropped into this boat and lowered into the sea. Just as they were lowering the boat two American gentlemen came along the deck and got in also. The Officers gave orders to us to row away from ship. There were seven sailors in the boat Lady Duff Gordon myself Sir Cosmo and the two American gentlemen. Twelve in all,” CBS News quoted Laura as saying.

“We were a long way off when we saw the Titanic go right up at the back and plunge down. There was an awful rumbling when she went. Then came the screams and cries. I do not know how long they lasted,” she continued.

Following their rescue, stories circulated that Sir Duff-Gordon had bribed crewmembers to get a boat for himself, his wife and employee.

Though cleared by an official inquiry, his reputation suffered before he died in 1931. (ANI)