Description

Arthur Henry Rostron was the captain of Carpathia, the ship that came to the rescue of the distressed Titanic, rescuing over 700 survivors. Following the rescue, Rostron became the most celebrated and decorated master mariner of his generation, winning, among other awards, a Congressional Gold Medal. Following the Titanic rescue, Rostron served throughout the First World War, commanding the Cunard liner Mauretania, first as a hospital ship and then as a troop ship.

Using original documents, newspapers, contemporary publications, and memoirs, Captain of the Carpathia considers Rostron's life and seafaring in his era, from his early days rounding Cape Horn in sail to his retirement as commodore of the Cunard Line. The book explores Rostron's seafaring life, using it as a platform to discuss the wider history in which he was involved, including the evolution of the transatlantic passenger trade and some of the celebrated ships on which he served and commanded.

While scholarly in research and citation, the text is an engaging and accessible narrative for an interested lay audience. The Titanic disaster continues to fascinate the public a century later. This is the first book-length biography written about Rostron.