Watch owned by Titanic hero sells for over $75,000
A gold pocket watch presented to an unsung hero who helped rescue more than 700 passengers from the Titanic has fetched more than $75,800 at auction.
John Richardson was the sixth engineer aboard the RMS Carpathia, a Cunard Line transatlantic passenger ship that saved survivors from the Titanic's lifeboats 114 years ago.
The Carpathia changed course on its way from New York for Europe after the ship's wireless operator picked up the distress call "we've struck ice, come at once."
It reached the doomed ocean liner two hours after it had sunk in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912, with the loss of 1,500 lives.
The luxury 18-karat gold timepiece, hallmarked 1912, is engraved "Presented to J. Richardson as a mark of appreciation for conspicuous services rendered R.M.S. Titanic, 15th April 1912."
It sold for $75,800 when it went under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in Penshurst, Kent, on Wednesday, April 22.
A private buyer in West Yorkshire, who wished to remain anonymous, beat off bidders from around the world, including Americans to secure "the piece of history."
Hansons owner Charles Hanson said: "It was a wonderful result after would-be buyers slugged it out on the phone, internet and in the room.
"I was keenly aware that this was a piece of history, and we were delighted to be able to deliver it into the safe hands of its next delighted owner."
Richardson, then 26, was one of three engineers, with the others at sea, presented with the Hunter pocket watch at a ceremony on Dec. 14, 1912, by the mayor of Liverpool.
Following the disaster a number of fundraising initiatives were set up by both Titanic survivors and members of the public, all keen to honor its heroes.
Six weeks after the rescue the Carpathia's Capt. Arthur Rostron and the crew were honored in New York City with gold medals going to senior officers, silver to junior officers and bronze to the crew.
Justin Matthews, director of Hansons Auctioneers in Penshurst, said: "When I first saw the watch I knew it was a special gold pocket watch, but when I saw the inscription on the back – and that magic word ‘Titanic' my hair stood on end.
"It was spine-tingling to know its connections to one of the most famous, and tragic, events of the 20th century. It was an honor to offer it for sale.
"While the captain of the Carpathia took most of the plaudits for the rescue of those 705 men, women and children adrift in the Titanic's lifeboats, it was workers in the engine room, like John Richardson, who were high on the list of heroes.
"Their work wasn't visible to passengers, or survivors, but without it, the rescue simply wouldn't have happened."
The watch, which had been part of Southampton Maritime Museum's exhibition to mark the 80th anniversary disaster, hammered at $57,500, but with the inclusion of auction fees sold for a total of $75,800.
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 12:29 PM.