Scandal followed her and the Duff-Gordon's rescue, since Sir Cosmo asked her to pay the rowers while they were in the boat. Some construed this to be a "pay off."
Christie's spokesperson Zoe Schoon told Discovery News that the letter and affidavit, "which are of great historical interest," may clear up two mysteries.
First, the letter suggests that the rescue boat did not return to the sinking ship because suction may have toppled even the small vessel. At one point while it was still near the Titanic, Francatelli mentioned that the rescue boat "got caught up on one side and nearly hurled us all into the water."
Second, Francatelli states that Sir Cosmo asked her to pay the rowers in an act of kindness to ensure that they received their normal wages.
Steve Rigby is chairman of The British Titanic Society and the author of "The Ultimate Experience — Our Dive to the Titanic."
Rigby told Discovery News that he trusts Francatelli's account.
"I don't think (the monetary gift) was a pay off," he said.
"And as far as returning back to the ship, it would have been extremely dangerous for them to have gone back," Francatelli explained. "The boat could have easily turned over. The survival time in the water was less than 15 minutes. It was so cold that, if it were fresh water, the water would have fully frozen."
Rigby extended an invitation to the public to attend the 95th Memorial Weekend in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from April 13-15. Many experts will be on hand with memorabilia, artifacts, photographs and other reminders of that fateful spring night.
