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Was the only corporate official saved from the Titanic a hero or coward? History is now revalidating his role
Joseph Bruce lsmay was born into a lifestyle of privilege and affluence on 12 December 1862. Enjoying all the acclaim of a meteoric business career and eminent social standing, Bruce followed in his father's footsteps to become chairman and managing director of the formidable White Star Line of transocean steamers. But his brilliant career came to an abrupt end the night the RMS Titantic sank on its maiden voyage.
As was his custom, lsmay was aboard the liner's maiden voyage to New York the night the ship struck an iceberg and sank with a loss of 1517 lives. As the senior surviving White Star Lines official, Ismay's world crumbled around him when he was accused of having ordered the illfated vessel to steam at high speed in the iceberg-filled regions of the North Atlantic. Even worse, he was severely criticized and accused of cowardice for having left the sinking giant before all the women and children had been placed in lifeboats which, as it was, were too few in number to save everyone aboard.
A master at garnering free press coverage for bis ships' newsworthy accomplishment, lsmay could not withstand the spotlight of intense scrutiny when the disaster brought about a reversal of his fortunes. Heavily sedated once his half-empty boat reached the rescue ship SS Carpathia, the President of White Star Lines yielded to worldwide pressure to resign his post after giving testimony at the official board of inquiry which convened in New York City. At age 50, White Star's brash, energetic top official was through. He soon disappeared in disgrace from the world stage never to resume a career that placed him in the lead of the world's aggressive shippng magnates.
Ismay was born in the Liverpool suburb of Crosby, Lancashire (now Merseyside), the son of Thomas lsmay (7 January 1837-23 November 1899) and Margaret Bruce, daughter of ship-owner Luke Bruce. Joseph's father, Thomas lsmay, was the senior partner in lsmay, Imrie and Company and also the founder of the White Star Line. Young Bruce (as he prefered to be called) was educated at the prestigious Elstree School and Harrow before being tutored...