The Death Ship: Recovering the Bodies of Titanic’s Dead

Death is a topic we often avoid talking about, but in The Death Ship Victoria Brown faces it head on, taking a deep dive into the fate of Titanic’s victims: How did they die? How did their bodies decompose? Were their bodies recovered and buried? What happened to the bodies that went down with the ship?

And what of Titanic’s legacy? Here, Brown explores the proposed legislative changes, salvage proposals and surge of interest the wreck received shortly after the disaster, alongside the contemporary controversy surrounding the wreck as a shipwreck versus a gravesite.

The Death Ship is a fascinating, at times shocking, examination of the ill-fated souls who tragically lost their lives that day - a crucial but seldom told part of Titanic’s enduring story. It also gives recognition to the people of Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada, whose unwavering dedication ensured those who died were properly taken care of.

Victoria Brown studied English Literature & Film Studies, reflecting her love of storytelling and history, especially the Victorian and Edwardian eras. While at Queen’s University Belfast, she was the Editor of The Gown Independent Newspaper, the oldest student newspaper in the UK, and has always written stories and non-fiction. She has written about art and feminist history and presented talks for feminist horror film club Ghouls on Film. Growing up in Northern Ireland, she has always been fascinated by Titanic, and is a keen supporter of the Death Positive movement.

STEVE HALL is a historian, author, novelist and renowned Titanic researcher. He is one of the world’s foremost authorities on her photographic record, having collected, studied and researched the ship for over three decades, and is a recognized authority on the technical aspects of the Olympic-class ships. He is a consultant for media centers, auction houses and museums around the world and is regularly invited to conduct talks with history students. He is a foundation member of the Titanic and Steamship Historical Society of Australia.