Government Despatch

Office of the Governor fonds, GN 1/3/A, file 32, 1912: Loss of the SS Titanic

This file consists of correspondence, both local and international, relating to the furnishing of information regarding the loss of the S.S. Titanic to Governor of Newfoundland, Ralph Champneys Williams. Included in the file are telegrams and typewritten correspondence from the Cape Race Marconi station’s initial refusal to provide information to the Governor due to oath of secrecy and subsequent reversal of this policy by the Marconi International Marine Communications Company. Of particular note is a telegram from James Bryce, British Ambassador to the United States, expressing thanks from the President of the United States to Newfoundland for expression of sympathy.

Correspondence from April 15, 1912 - May 31, 1912

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April 15, 1912

Newfoundland Postal Telegraphs

From: Cape Race
To: Governor, St. John’s
April 15, 1912

Sorry have no public information re Titanic Will you kindly apply our Montreal office

Marconi Stn.

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April 16, 1912

Governor Ralph Williams to Mr. Cake

Mr. Cake,
File this with my telegram to Marconi and Mr. Fitzherbert’s telegram to Cape Race.
RW
16.4.12

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Newfoundland Postal Telegraphs

Place from: Montreal  Apr. 16, 1912
To: Mr. Williams, Governor General

Very much regret inability our operator Cape Race furnish you with information regarding Titanic disaster this was due to the only information to hand being public correspondence with regard to which operators are bound to secrecy have instructed Cape Race furnish you with any public information obtainable

Canadian Marconi Co.

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Newfoundland Postal Telegraphs

From: London
To: Sir Ralph Champneys Williams , KCMG St. John’s
April 16, 1912

Deeply regret circumstance occasioning dispatch your excellencys telegram stop operator caperace has evidently not appreciated his duty your excellency and public possibly fearing results infraction his oath preserve secrecy publish correspondence stop have telegraphed Canadian Marconi Company Montreal his employers asking that suitable instructions be issued.

Expanse.

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Sent 16 . 4 . 12
To Marconi
Sent 16th. April
Expanse London

On fifteenth instant Cape Race declined furnish this Government any information regarding Titanic despite intense public anxiety My Prime Minister associates himself with me in making strong representation against such action which cannot meet your approval

Williams Governor

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April 17, 1912

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Sent 17. 4. 12                      Br. Ambassador
                                           Washington
Please cause the earnest and heartfelt sympathy of the Colony of Newfoundland to be conveyed to all those who have lost those dear to them by the terrible disaster to the Titanic.

Ralph Ws
Govr.

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Correspondence from Robert Watson, Colonial Secretary to Mr. H. Wier of the Halifax Herald seeking clarification of the Public Despatch and expressing disappointment regarding failure of the newspaper to furnish news of the Titanic disaster.

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Wednesday, 17th. 1912

Dull wet foggy rain morning, heavy lightning & thunder last night. Report steamer “Titanic” lost off Cape Race, many persons drowned. P. M. clearing off wind East. Fr. O’Rourke in town.

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April 18, 1912

Recd. 18. 4. 12
Newfoundland Postal Telegraphs

Place from: Washington D.C.            St. John’s, N.F.
To: Governor                                      Apr. 18, 1912

Your telegram received and transmitted to President who is much touched by expression Newfoundlands sorrow and sympathy And expresses his sincere thanks

Bryce

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April 29, 1912

Governor Ralph Williams to The Marconi International Marine Communication Coy Ltd.

Draft            29 April 1912
Dear Sir,

I have to acknowledge [?] thanks [?] [?] of the 17th. instant and your previous telegram relating to the Titanic disaster.

I am obliged to you for the instructions which you have given.

I recognize that the operators may have felt that non-normal instructions did not quite justify them in supplying me with the news & I do not wish to lay personal blame upon them, but you will understand that the circumstances were abnormal and such as to require exceptional treatment.

As it happened we cold have done nothing but it is essential that the government should have the earliest possible information on any [?] occasion both to enable them to render assistance or to allay great public anxiety.

In leaving it to the Governor to use his discretion you will find that your service is not unduly taxed by unnecessary enquiries.

I am
Yours [?]

Ralph Williams
Governor

The
Marconi International
Marine Communication Coy Ltd.
Watergate House
Adelphi
London, England

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Telegram dated April 19, 1912 of Arthur Mews, Deputy Colonial Secretary to Mr. H. Wier, Halifax Herald asking for news of the Titanic disaster.

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May 20, 1912

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May 21, 1912

To Secretary of State (sent 21 May 1912)

“Minister have made enquiry and are satisfied that no steamer corresponding with description contained in your telegram visited Nfld during April. They also think that no Nfld fishing schooner would be as far South about that date as the latitude indicated in telegram. Further enquiry will be made from schooners as they arrive but this will take several weeks to complete.”

Horwood

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May 22, 1912

Honble. Col. Sec.

With reference to previous correspondence I have the honour
To inform you that I have received the following telegram from the Sec. of state
With ref to my tel. 20 May re

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The Anglo-American Telegraph Company

St. John’s, N.F.
May 22, 1912

From: Govt London
To: Governor St. John’s

Undercreep [?] titanic for fifty four west
Read fifty degrees four minutes

Harcourt

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May 31, 1912

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