From the archives

Here’s how the Los Angeles Times covered J. Bruce Ismay’s role in the Titanic disaster in 1912:

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“Bruce Ismay, Director Manager of White Star Line, Will Be Called to Washington to Explain How He Happened to Be Among the Rescued.”

—April 18, 1912 headline

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“Nervous, but not in tears ... Mr. Ismay told in whispers of his escape from the sinking liner, from the time he pushed away in a boat with the women until he found himself, clad in pajamas, aboard the Carpathia.

“He was not sure in just what boat he left the Titanic, nor was he sure how long he remained on the liner after she struck. He added, however, that before he entered a lifeboat, he had been told there were no more women on deck, and he denied that there had been any censuring of messages from the Carpathia.”

—April 20, 1912 Associated Press report

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“When the fifth officer of the Titanic, working at high tension, told Mr. Bruce Ismay to “go to h—,” his behavior was bad, but he proved himself to be a man of character. Mr. Ismay himself showed very little strength of character at the time of the shipwreck, but his behavior was excellent in subscribing $50,000 to start a fund for the widows and families of his drowned sailors. No better illustration could well be found of the difference between the values of character and behavior.”

—May 24, 1912 editorial

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“The court of inquiry exonerates J. Bruce Ismay, chairman and managing director of the White Star Line ... from any charges of improper conduct....

“‘The attack on J. Bruce Ismay,’ concluded the judge, ‘resolved itself into the suggestion that, occupying the position of managing director of the line, some moral duty was imposed upon him to await on board until the vessel foundered. I do not agree. Mr. Ismay, after assisting many passengers, found the last boat on the starboard side of the Titanic actually being lowered. No other people were there at the time. There was room for him and he jumped in. Had he not done so he would merely have added one more life to the number lost.”

—July 31, 1912 Associated Press report