Aft Grand Staircase Wreckage

In the weeks following Titanic's sinking the White Star Line chartered a number of vessels and tasked them to return to the site and recover the unfortunate dead. One such ship was the Western Union cable steamer CS Minia, based out of Halifax N.S. Along with many bodies, crew members of the Minia also salvaged several pieces of floating debris, including Titanic's wheelhouse door, several deck chairs, and various pieces of shattered paneling. Many of these pieces were fashioned into mementos by Minia's Chief Carpenter, William Parker.

This section of quarter sawn English oak comes from a picture frame that was built using Titanic wreckage by Mr. Parker. It is believed to be a section of stair back from Titanic's aft Grand Staircase which reportedly broke free from the ship during the sinking. The frame was owned by Minia's Chief Officer, James Adams, until his untimely death in 1920 when it was passed down to his grandson.

Harland & Wolff Shipyard
Belfast, Ireland

English oak