The insurance slip, which contains a summary of the Carpathia's insurance policy and the signatures of more than 80 Lloyd's underwriters, was uncovered by InSolutions, the insurance archaeology division of Marsh.

“We are pleased to be able to present this important historical document to Lloyd's,” Glaser says. “It serves as a reminder of the vital role insurance has played in facilitating global travel and commerce. We are glad that this fascinating piece of history will have an honored place in Lloyd's prestigious collection.”

“As one of the biggest marine insurance risks of the time, much of the Titanic was insured at Lloyd's,” notes Nelson. “Whilst today a wide variety of risks are insured at Lloyd's, marine insurance remains a key segment in our global portfolio. But we should also remember that the loss of the Titanic was a human tragedy, with over 1,500 lives lost.”

Built by Swan Hunter Wigham Richardson in the north east of England, the Carpathia made her maiden voyage in 1903 and was a Cunard Line transatlantic passenger steamship. Carpathia herself was sunk in the Atlantic during the First World War after being torpedoed by a German Navy U-boat.

The Carpathia was not the closest ship to the 44,000 ton Titanic, but was the first vessel to answer her distress calls. It was able to speed to the Titanic's last known whereabouts owing to the determination and professionalism of its captain Arthur Henry Rostron, who ordered the ship's heating and hot water to be cut off in order to make as much steam available for the engines. This decision helped save the lives of 705 passengers and crew who were rescued from the Titanic's lifeboats.