Survivors Rescued by the Carpathia

This photograph taken by J.W. Barker shows one of the boatloads of Titanic survivors picked up by the Carpathia, including women, babies, and seamen rowing with oars. On the night of April 14, 1912, the Carpathia was en route from New York City to Rijeka when wireless operator Harold Cottam burst into Captain Arthur Henry Rostron’s cabin and informed him of Titanic’s distress signal.

Captain Rostron immediately set course to the liner’s last known position, more than 60 miles away. After navigating through treacherous ice fields, Carpathia arrived at the scene. Rostron was later honored with a U.S. Congressional Gold Medal for his heroic efforts.