“My favourite object is a poignant, signed photograph of a third class passenger. It takes you to the heart of the tragedy of Titanic.
The photograph shows Rosa Abbot, who was travelling with her sons Rossmore (who was 16) and Eugene (who was 13).
Rosa Abbott was the only female passenger to be rescued from the water© National Museums Northern Ireland 2011
The family ended up in the water when the ship sank and Rosa Abbott was pulled into collapsible lifeboat A. She was the only female passenger to be rescued from the water.
She later transferred to collapsible lifeboat B, but suffered leg injuries from the ice cold sea. Tragically, her sons did not survive.
The reverse of this photograph is inscribed, ‘To dear Mrs Lessman, in remembrance of the SS Titanic. April 15th 1912 Rosa Abbott, Survivor.’ Mrs Lessman was a passenger on board Carpathia when that ship rescued Titanic survivors.
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum holds unique collections relating to the Titanic and its wider context within the White Star Line fleet. Objects like this highlight the human stories associated with Titanic’s actual voyage.
This photograph was one of a number of collections acquired last year to ensure that we reflect all the dimensions to Titanic’s compelling story in our new exhibition and related publications. It’s a wonderful photograph that conveys the strength of character of this remarkable survivor.”
- The photograph is currently on display alongside more than 500 objects in TITANICa: The Exhibition in the Museum’s Transport Galleries.
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