A violin has been found that was played by the band leader while the doomed ship, the Titanic, was sinking.
An auctioneer has hired experts to try to verify claims by the owner of the century old instrument that it belonged to Wallace Hartley, the leader of the vessel’s eight-man musical ensemble.
If proved, it could become the most valuable Titanic artifact ever to be considered for auction. But the claim is being treated with caution as a result.Hartley and his fellow musicians earned legendary status for their decision to play on as the ship sank on its maiden voyage on April 15, 1912.They are said to have played the hymn “Nearer My God to Thee” after the vessel hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic.
Press reports at the time said that when Hartley’s body was recovered from the water his violin was strapped to his chest.The violin and its case were said at the time to be being sent to the White Star line for forwarding to England.But mystery has surrounded its fate thereafter.
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