Piece of cork saved by James Adams

James Adams was the Chief Officer aboard the Minia when the ship was sent out to recover Titanic’s bodies. Among other items Adams saved was a piece of cork from a lifebelt It was sold on an auction site from one private collector to another and measures 2 x 2 inches. 

-Images from Ebay & Worthpoint.

Another piece of cork

This chunk, also said to be recovered by the Minia, was also sold from one private collector to another via the same auction site. The piece, seen here on the right, measures 2 inch x 2½ inch.

 -Image from Ebay & Worthpoint.

Canvas and cork

Another piece of canvas and cork supposedly came from a Minia crewmember and was also sold from one private collector to another via an auction site in 2007. The canvas measures 5 inch x 7 inch and the cork measures 3 inch x 5 inch and is 3 inches thick. Interestingly, the thickness of the cork in Titanic's known lifebelts varies substantially, even in the same lifebelt, but only measure between about 1 3/4 and 2 1/4 inches thick.

 -Image from Ebay & Worthpoint.

A piece of Canvas

This 5 inch x 2 ¼ inch piece of canvas was cut out of a damaged lifebelt which was taken during the body recovery by one of the cable ships. It is very brittle and shows signs of discoloration. It was also sold from one private collector to another via an auction site.

-Image from Ebay & Worthpoint.

A sliver of cork

On December 29th, 2012 a piece of cork from a lifebelt was being sold on ebay. Part of the listing read as follows:

"(...) The item up for bid is elaborately custom framed comprising of an authentic RMS Titanic White Star Liner lifevest piece. The piece was removed from the inside layer of the vest while having restoration done in 2008. The item was obtained from White Star Liner crew member Joseph Boxhall, March 3rd , 1916. Full documentation included."

This item is custom framed 24 x 18cm with a photo of RMS Titanic along with a custom attached piece from the White Star Liner lifevest Titanic. (...)

A strand of fabric from a lifebelt

In May 2026 this piece of fabric from a lifebelt was offered up for sale on Ebay, the seller had eight pieces in the advertisement;

"Adhered to a 4x6 photo card is a very tiny thread piece from a life jacket from the Titanic. A certificate of authenticity will be included as well just as shown. The piece originates from a private collection."

"(...)  The unique pieces included in the photo displays are extremely scarce and we strive to provide you with the best possible deal for individuals to collect and cherish such rare relics. Thank you!" 

I was interested in a piece of it, so I enquired about it because I wanted to know what lifebelt this came from, sadly I did not get a reply.

After enquiring another couple of times, there still came no reply.
So I have my doubts if this really comes from a lifebelt at all.