History has it that the Titanic only had 20 lifeboats and while most of them were outfitted with flares many passengers refused to light them for fear of being sunk by passengers who were in the water, swimming for their lives, and eager to board.
The copper canister displayed here has a brass label with wording: Coston Distress Outfit For Life Boats & Rafts Approved & Passed By The U. S. Board Supervising Inspectors Boston Supply Co. Inc. New York. The screw on brass-handled lid is complete with original rubber seal. A simply beautiful piece of nautical history with great patina. The cannister without lid is 10 1/8″ tall and with lid 11 7/8″( c. early 1900s)
