‘Iowa’s Lost History on the Titanic’ to be discussed at Charles City Library

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

The British vessel Titanic shocked the world when the passenger liner sunk into the murky abyss of the North Atlantic Ocean more than 100 years ago.

Sailing on its maiden voyage, the heralded “unsinkable” ship struck an iceberg on its way to New York in April of 1912, eventually splitting in two and crashing to the ocean bed below. More than 1,500 people perished, with fewer than a third on board surviving.

More than 20 aboard the ship had ties to Iowa, and that’s what author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby will be talking about when she comes to the Charles City Public Library on Tuesday to talk about her new book, “Iowa’s Lost History on the Titanic.”

“The humanity of these captivating stories conveys a drama more complex, intriguing and poignant than any work of fiction. These true tales also reflect the long reach of history,” said Maulsby. “Even though the Titanic sank more than a century ago, the aftershocks continue to reverberate more than a century later.”

Maulsby, who lives in the northwest Iowa town of Lake City, will take orders for signed copies of the book at a free program held at 6:30 p.m. at the Zastrow Room. Maulsby will also appear for a program describing her book at the Rudd Public Library on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

“It should be a crowd pleaser,” said Charles City Library Director Annette Dean. “I do have a passing interest in the Titanic, but it is something that a lot of people are interested in.”

Maulsby is also an active blogger in addition to being an accomplished author who has been featured in various Iowa media publications. She has written well-received works titled “A Culinary History of Iowa,” “Calhoun County” and “Dallas County.”

Maulsby said some of the Iowa passengers on board Titanic were wealthy first-class passengers like Cedar Rapids natives Walter and Mahala Douglas, who were returning from an extended vacation in Europe. Others were second-class passengers, including the Caldwell family. They were church missionaries who were returning to the midwest from Asia. There were also third-class immigrants seeking a fresh start in America, lured by jobs in Iowa’s farms and coal mines.

Iowa communities represented on the Titanic included Boone, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Central City, Cherokee, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Manchester and Red Oak.

Maulsby said  some survivors would manage to chart a new course for their future while others would struggle with haunting questions and shattered dreams for the rest of their lives.

“As you explore these largely forgotten Iowa stories, you’ll discover there’s something endlessly spellbinding about the Titanic,” Maulsby said. “Once it grabs ahold of you, there is no turning back.”