Titanic Violin unveiled at Titanic Museum

Titanic Violin unveiled at Titanic Museum – Photo by Michael Williams, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer

Dozens of students stood silently in a dimly lit room of the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge where they huddled quietly around a display case containing a rare, iconic artifact from the sinking of the luxury liner more than 100 years ago.

The violin that belonged to Wallace Hartley went on display this week at the popular tourist attraction where it will remain for several weeks before being shipped to England where it will be sold at auction.

The violin is a silent witness to the horrific tragedy that took more than 1,500 lives, many of whom were society’s elite, after the ship struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage on April 14, 1912. On the fateful night the Titanic hit the iceberg, crew members began evacuating passengers into the life boats. Unfortunately, there were not enough life boats and many men chose to allow women and children to take their places while they stayed behind where they would meet their fates.

Wallace Hartley was the leader of the band that remained onboard the deck. In an act of selfless sacrifice, the chivalrous Hartley gave up his seat to other passengers and decided to stay behind and play the violin in hopes that his music would calm the panicked passengers. Hartley offered his band mates an opportunity to flee the stricken vessel, but none chose to evacuate, Instead they remained at his side and continued to play music.

By some accounts the last song they played was “Nearer my god, to thee.” Some witnesses later recounted that after the band played the cherished hymn they played, “Autumn,” a more upbeat ragtime tune.

As the band played on hundreds of terrified passengers screamed and scrambled to the rescue craft. As the band played on half of the mighty vessel began to lift from the water as the other end filled with water. Within seconds the night air was filled with the sounds of shattering glass, breaking timbers and rivets popping loose and the Titanic broke in half. Moments later the halves of the ship began its descent to the ocean floor almost a mile below the surface of the water.

Two weeks later, Hartley’s body was recovered. The violin was recovered nearby in the debris field. The violin is now in possession of a private collector who has decided to remain anonymous.

“His story was classic tale of a man making the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good of others,” said Craig Sopin, an attorney and leading expert on Titanic artifacts. “The music was calming. Had those men not remained onboard there would have been a lot more chaos.”

Sopin said the violin is expected to sell for a price in the six figures and possibly seven. The violin will remain on display until July 27 before it travels to the Titanic Museum Attraction’s sister-location in Branson. It will be on display in Branson, Thursday, Aug. 1 through Thursday, Aug. 15 prior to it traveling back to England where it will be auctioned off by Henry Aldridge and Son on Saturday, Oct. 19.