The Story of Howard Irwin & Pearl Shuttle
Howard Irwin, a young American from Buffalo, N.Y., had fallen deeply in love with Pearl Shuttle, a spirited Canadian woman. Though they were kept apart physically, their hearts remained entwined through tender love letters exchanged across the ocean.
Howard had initially planned to sail on Titanic but changed his mind at the last minute, unknowingly sparing his life. He had been on a loosely planned round-the-world trip with his friend Henry Sutehall Jr. when he received word that Pearl was languishing with typhoid fever. Knowing his time with Pearl was limited, Howard dropped everything and rushed to be by Pearl’s side.
Some of Howard’s luggage, though, went on Titanic with his traveling companion, Henry. The letters Howard had written to Pearl—filled with dreams of their future—went down with the Ship. They were recovered in a 1993 expedition by RMS Titanic, Inc. Once RMST artifact specialists conserved the letters, the astonishing, globetrotting love between Howard and Pearl unfolded for the first time in almost 100 years. Their story is a testament to the power of words in keeping love alive, even when destiny has other plans.