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| Titanic memorabilia is auctioned in Wiltshire | Titanic memorabilia is auctioned in Wiltshire |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| About 370 Titanic items are being auctioned in Wiltshire ahead of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ill-fated ocean liner. | |
| The items include a first-class menu dated 14 April 1912, the last day aboard the stricken ship. | The items include a first-class menu dated 14 April 1912, the last day aboard the stricken ship. |
| Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: "It's a fascinating snapshot of life on board as a first-class passenger." | |
| The ship sailed from Southampton on its maiden voyage. More than 550 people from the city died in the disaster. | |
| The items also include letters and a set of storeroom keys where the ship's lifeboat lanterns were stored. | |
| 'Finest restaurant' | 'Finest restaurant' |
| The first-class menu shows several courses on offer, such as eggs Argenteuil, consomme fermier and chicken a la Maryland. | The first-class menu shows several courses on offer, such as eggs Argenteuil, consomme fermier and chicken a la Maryland. |
| "What we have to consider is that the Titanic was regarded as the finest restaurant afloat and this does illustrate that point. There are over 40 different options for one lunch," said Mr Aldridge. | "What we have to consider is that the Titanic was regarded as the finest restaurant afloat and this does illustrate that point. There are over 40 different options for one lunch," said Mr Aldridge. |
| The menu was on the table of the first-class passenger Dr Washington Dodge, a prominent banker from San Francisco who was with his wife and son. The letter had been in Ruth Dodge's purse when she on board a lifeboat. | |
| She and her son survived the tragedy and the menu has stayed with the family ever since. | She and her son survived the tragedy and the menu has stayed with the family ever since. |
| One letter being auctioned off was written by the second in command of the Titanic, Chief Officer Henry Wilde. | One letter being auctioned off was written by the second in command of the Titanic, Chief Officer Henry Wilde. |
| Mr Wilde was deputy to Captain EJ Smith and died in the disaster which claimed 1,500 lives. | Mr Wilde was deputy to Captain EJ Smith and died in the disaster which claimed 1,500 lives. |
| In the letter to his family, written on Titanic letter-headed stationary, he praises the Titanic, describing her as a "wonderful ship the latest thing in shipbuilding". | |
| A second letter was written by James Arthur Paignton, the captain's steward. | A second letter was written by James Arthur Paignton, the captain's steward. |
| Also among the items are a set of storeroom keys used by a crewman, Samuel Hemming, to fetch lanterns for the lifeboats. | Also among the items are a set of storeroom keys used by a crewman, Samuel Hemming, to fetch lanterns for the lifeboats. |
| "The keys themselves played a part in the story as they were actually used in those last desperate hours. | "The keys themselves played a part in the story as they were actually used in those last desperate hours. |
| "This is because Mr Hemming received a personal order from the captain as the ship was sinking and it became apparent all was lost to ensure all of the lifeboats were provided with lamps," said Mr Aldridge. | "This is because Mr Hemming received a personal order from the captain as the ship was sinking and it became apparent all was lost to ensure all of the lifeboats were provided with lamps," said Mr Aldridge. |
| It is expected the items will fetch between £50,000 and £60,000 at Henry Aldridge and Sons auction house in Devizes. |