TITANIC AND THE ISMAY FAMILY
BE MINDFUL
Following the Titanic disaster, Bruce Ismay was savaged by both the British and American press for deserting the ship while women and children were still on board. Some papers called him the 'Coward of the Titanic' or 'J. Brute Ismay', while suggested the White Star flag be changed to a 'yellow liver'. History has portrayed Bruce Ismay as a cold, heartless character who showed little compassion for others. Clifford Ismay's new book explores the life and motives of this misunderstood man, delving into family letters and diaries, and revisiting the public enquiries, to reveal a shy, compassionate man, who walked Titanic's boat deck for over two hours, assisting with preparing and loading the lifeboats before finding a spare seat in the last lifeboat to be successfully lowered from the starboard side, and who possibly suffered with post-traumatic stress in the years immediately following the sinking of RMS Titanic.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Clifford Ismay is the 5th cousin (once removed) to Bruce Ismay. He is currently engaged as director of Maryport Maritime Museum. Until the death of its founder he was privileged to have been Governor and Northern England representative for the Titanic Heritage Trust, and is a member of the British Titanic Society. He has appeared in Titanic documentaries and been interviewed for television and radio news, and has given a number of talks on the subject. He lives in Cumbria, England.
Throughout most of his career he worked as Electrical Engineer on many projects including Nuclear Energy and for Her Majesy's Government. He currently sits on the board of Maryport Maritime Museum as Director.
His interest with titanic began at the age of eight years; he remembers it well. Clifford says, "I was watching the 1958 film A Night To Remember with my father and was in awe when I saw the huge ship [Titanic] sailing across the Atlantic, then I saw J Bruce Ismay (played by Frank Lawton) and I heard my father say ' son, you are related to Bruce'"
"Cliff Ismay has done a terrific job of telling Joseph Bruce Ismay's life story, and has thoroughly outlined the chairman's relationship with the White Star Line as well as his controversial survival of the Titanic disaster. In short, this is the Ismay biography we've all been waiting for."
George Behe
Titanic Historian & Author
"This book is sure to educate and surprise you. Cliff will show you the Bruce Ismay to whom you have never been introduced. So, I encourage you to enjoy this very insightful look into the life of a man you only thought you knew."
Helen Benziger
Great granddaughter of
of Margaret (The Unsinkable Molly) Brown
"In Understanding J. Bruce Ismay, we are taken on a journey into Ismay’s life, giving insight to the man who became infamous during the early morning of April 15, 1912. Enjoy this different perspective of J. Bruce Ismay’s life."
Bill Willard
Titanic Historian & Instructor of Physics at AB Technical College
"This is a must-read for any enthusiast who wishes to form their own opinion of Titanic's most infamous survivor"
The British Titanic Soiciety
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Understanding J Bruce Ismay
ISBN13: 9780750998666
Author: Clifford Ismay
Publisher: The History Press Ltd
