Echoes of Titanic in eerie doorway to past

[Andrew Clarkson]

ALMOST exactly a century after the Titanic sank a painter and decorator was given a spine-tingling reminder of that maritime tragedy as he carried out refurbishment work at an historic Yorkshire house.

On or around April 14 1912 two tradesmen at Harewood House near Leeds decided to use a spare moment to mark their names on a piece of wood as they filled in and redecorated an old doorway.

Exactly a century and one month later, on May 14, Harewood’s chief decorator Robert Kay was stunned into silence when he came across a handwritten note on a piece of board hidden in the door frame.

Written by one of Mr Kay’s predecessors, Edgar Sunderland, it said:

“Titanic Disaster

Sunday April 14th 1912

1503 persons drowned

705 persons saved

Commander Capt: Smith

This disaster happened near (illegible). The boat was the largest afloat and on her maiden voyage.

E Sunderland

E Wilton

Painters.”

Mr Kay, who has spent 37 years at Harewood and seen many marks left by stonemasons, carpenters and decorators, was gobsmacked at the note and the timing of its rediscovery.

Read more; http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at- ... -1-4582507

[VW1956]

Hello. This is a nice story. Lets hope they can track down Edger Sunderlands decendents. Ken.

[Eric K. Longo]

This is interesting. The date is April 14th, it happened on the 15th, and the first incomplete lists of survivors/dead were not produced until several days after that - April 22 or 23 for the "official" numbers to start. So when was this written? When did these number first get quoted - 1503 and 705?

Best wishes,
Eric

[Eric K. Longo]

I see my guess that this place charges admission was correct.

Eric

[VW1956]

Hello Eric. You know that I never thought of it like that. I read something and believe what I read. I see you only need one more post to reach the magic number of 401. Ken.

[Eric K. Longo]

Hi Ken,

Yes, post 401 - and it is dedicated to you and all my friends here at TT.
Perhaps I am getting jaded, but that writing and those numbers and date...I am of the opinion the world is fabulous enough without having to make stuff up. Like certain musical instruments - if it is real why can't the notion it was Hartley's beloved violin be enough? SO MUCH STUFF has "retro-engineered" provenance it is unreal (it IS unreal)!
I have seen things like this before - stuff is just "added" to bring crowds in. Even the putto/cherub I wrote about - it is exhibited with a photo of the (very different) Grand Staircase sculpture - it looks nothing like it when you do look, but then many people do not look. But, it makes a "nice presentation"...the sheer number of "mistakes" made my museums, dealers and collectors alike makes my head spin. You have seen it here - museums showing photographs of "Titanic officers" who are not even the correct people. Many times some data is held back allowing you to "draw your own" (incorrect) conclusion with regard to provenance etc.

"There is a sucker born every minute" is a relevant and often quoted saying but even that is incorrect - it was NOT said by PT Barnum - but by his competition! "Play it again Sam" is NOT in the film Casablanca! And so on.

Best wishes to ALL,
Eric