Col. Archibald Gracie, a first-class passenger on the ill-fated Titanic, penned a remarkable letter that recently sold for $399,000 at auction. The letter, written on the ship just four days before its tragic collision with an iceberg, described the Titanic as a “fine ship.” Gracie humorously noted, “I shall await my journey's end before I pass judgment on her.”
His experience was harrowing; he found himself clinging to the ship’s railing as it sank and later floated for hours on icy waters until rescue.
The letter was addressed to a European ambassador, the great-uncle of the seller, and featured the ship's letterhead and an image of a red flag with a white star. It was dated April 10, 1912, and postmarked from London. The buyer, who remains anonymous, resides in the United States. This sale highlights the enduring fascination with Titanic history and its poignant stories.