For several years I’ve done a talk about Lucy Noël Martha, Countess of Rothes, and Thomas William Jones, the Aristocrat and the Able Seaman who survived Titanic in the same lifeboat. In April, 2026 their stories will be published by The History Press and I’m delighted that the courage of these two people, their kindness, resilience and seafaring knowledge on that terrifying night will soon find a wider audience.
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- Noël Rothes c.1900 © the Leslie family
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- Thomas Jones c.1900 © the Jones family
I signed a contract with The History Press last week and ever since Amy Rigg, Commissioning Editor, expressed interest in the story in late March I’ve been busy getting permissions for images and quotes (something I rarely need to do in fiction) and turning the text of my talk into a riveting (I hope) book. On that subject, I’ve discovered that the persistent idea about Titanic’s rivets not being strong enough – that their weakness was partially responsible for her sinking – is one of the many myths that have clung to Titanic since she sank in April, 1912. Generous experts have been reading my manuscript and pointing such things out, so saving me from undermining the story of my hero and heroine by including those myths and the exaggerations that still cling to the Titanic story. I’m indebted to them and my talk will also be the better for their wisdom and knowledge.
Please wish The Aristocrat and the Able Seaman a safe journey towards publication. I promise to update you from time to time about their progress and, should you wish to buy the book next year, I’ll bring you news of where and when you can as soon as I can.
