Talk:Henry Tingle Wilde

Suicide Discussion, and other edits.

While there has been much speculation on the potential suicide of an officer onboard the Titanic, as of yet there have been NO genuinely reliable statements given. Furthermore, in private correspondences (which sadly cannot be cited) and at least one newspaper published around that time, a few seperate accounts also place Chief Officer Wilde as being on the bridge after all was said and done, waist deep in water and smoking a cigarette.

Ultimately, I am not opposed to the speculation being included, but it should be limited to one line or possibly two. There simply aren't enough accounts to warrant more than that. Until the time when this article is large enough to warrant more (such as with Murdoch's), it shouldn't really be the centerpiece.

As to the other edits; the dates of his career are from copies of his actual examination applications for his certificates. How does one cite hardcopy historical documents? They're available through the PRO. I've tried to figure it out, but I'm afraid that I'm coming up short. Anyone give a girl a hand?

Finally, I removed the speculation that his wife died of Scarlet Fever. Though I have yet to get a copy of her death certificate, it was passed on to me that it was very possibly complications from childbirth, and that the twins had died from 'congenital weakness'.

Lemme know your thoughts, folks. SLWatson 08:25, 16 September 2006 (UTC)

I tend to agree with your view on speculation about Wilde's suicide. That particular passage was already there when I came to edit the page, and I simply didn't remove it. However, I'm not sure I advocate its complete removal; I believe a very brief mention, as you suggested, may be fitting, and I'll think a bit about an appropriate way to do that. I do feel that the Scarlet Fever bit should be included, as it does have a source; let me know what you think about that. However, if you think you can turn up some reliable information that indicates otherwise, I'd be very interest to see what you find. Keep me updated!

Oh, and as for citing historical documents... I am not familiar with any hard-and-fast MLA or APA rules for this, but you might consider using a footnote. Something like "These dates are taken from Document X obtained at Source Y" should suffice. I hope that helps. —dustmite 21:17, 16 September 2006 (UTC)

I'll think about a good way of doing it as well. Thanks so much for the helpful hints as to referencing historical documents; that's, at least, better than what I could dig up.

The whole 'Scarlet Fever' thing, if I remember correctly, was a reference either from the old Lowe Floatilla site, or from the very controversial Dalbeattie, Scotland webbie. But there are a few different possibilities that lead to Polly's death; given that she lingered for weeks after the twins died (who were likely premature, given the 'congenital weakness' statement on their death certificates) and the complications of delivering twins in that era, Scarlet Fever becomes more unlikely. If I could get my hands on her actual death certificate, it listed the numerous causes, and from there, we narrowed it down to three possibilites. Still, I'll wait until I can get those certificates before I add more about it.

Finally, on the suicide thing, I'll think on that myself, and how to introduce the topic without it being so prominant. Most historians by now have ruled Wilde out as much as anyone can as a candidate (though unless someone can actually travel through time, there's no way to entirely prove or disprove it). However, according to his great-grandson, he was a deeply religious man, who wore his wedding band until he died. And, given that he had four children left to support, it seems likely that taking his own life was the last thing he'd think to do. But I'm certainly not against the speculation, just against it being a centerpiece to the article.

Thanks again for the help! —Steff