Photographs mark aftermath of Titanic tragedy as survivors reach New York

LIFEBOATS which saved the lives of survivors of the Titanic are lowered from the rescue ship Carpathia upon its return to New York, in one image from an exhibition marking the centenary of the disaster.

Passengers from the doomed vessel can be seen watching, having just witnessed the deaths of more than 1,500 people.

The picture is one of two rare images released by Edinburgh-based entrepreneur and avid Titanic memorabilia collector Luke Heron.

Mr Heron said: “One can only imagine what they were thinking, many of whom had lost loved ones, or even entire families, only hours before, watching the lifeboats.”

The second image is of arguably Titanic’s most controversial figure, Bruce Ismay, the managing director of the firm that owned the Titanic, White Star Line. He was notorious for fleeing the sinking ship against protocol.

In this image he is being questioned by a senate inquiry in New York, two days after the tragedy. The photo captures Ismay in an enormously difficult and compromising situation, appearing almost embarrassed at his own survival.