Watch of 'unsinkable' Titanic stoker sells for £3,800 at Gloucestershire auction
A pocket watch belonging to Arthur John Priest, a stoker who survived four shipwrecks including the Titanic and Britannic, sold for £3,800 at an auction in Cheltenham. The item, described as a rare find, had a starting bid of £3,000 and attracted significant interest from buyers. Priest, known as the 'unsinkable' stoker, worked in boiler rooms from 1912 to 1917, surviving the sinkings of the Titanic, Alcantara, Britannic, and Donegal. The watch was reportedly gifted to him in gratitude for saving a life during the 1916 sinking of the Britannic. Priest retired after a head injury in 1917 and died in 1937. The same auction also featured a silver cigarette case recovered from a Titanic steward, which sold for £5,700.
Key points
- The pocket watch, made of gun metal with a silver case, sold for £3,800 at Sudeley Castle in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, exceeding its £3,000 starting bid.
- The item belonged to Arthur John Priest, a stoker who survived four shipwrecks between 1912 and 1917: the RMS Titanic, RMS Alcantara, HMHS Britannic, and SS Donegal.
- Priest was nicknamed the 'unsinkable' stoker due to his survival record; however, some crew members later avoided sailing with him due to his reputation as an unlucky sailor.
- The watch’s inscription indicates it was presented to Priest as a thank-you for saving a man’s life when the Britannic struck a mine in the Aegean Sea in 1916.
- Priest retired from maritime service in 1917 after sustaining a head injury during the sinking of the SS Donegal and died in Southampton on February 11, 1937.
- A silver cigarette case recovered from the body of a steward on the Titanic also sold at the same auction for £5,700.
Background
Arthur John Priest worked as a member of the 'black gang,' shovelling coal in steam-powered ship boiler rooms throughout his career. His survival of multiple major maritime disasters in the early 20th century made him a notable figure in maritime history. The auction took place at Sudeley Castle, a venue known for hosting Bespoke Auctions events in Gloucestershire.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the enduring public interest in personal artifacts linked to the RMS Titanic and other historic maritime disasters. Items associated with survivors of these events often command high prices due to their rarity and historical significance. The auction also underscores the human stories behind these tragedies, such as the resilience of crew members like Priest who faced repeated life-threatening situations. Additionally, the sale of other Titanic-related items, such as the steward’s cigarette case, demonstrates the market’s appetite for tangible connections to these historical events.
What to watch
No further developments are reported regarding the watch or the buyer. The auction house may continue to feature other historical maritime items in future sales. There is no indication of further action regarding the other items sold at the event.
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