What was the most interesting artifact for you? What do they tell us about the people who boarded the ship?

The shipwreck was found 180 years later, and divers brought up the artifacts—in both the real-life story of the Pulaski and in this novel. What was the most interesting artifact for you? What do almost-200-year-old artifacts tell us about the people who boarded that ship?

My favorite artifacts included the watch and the silver baby rattle which personalized the wreck and were reminders of the human lives lost. Other artifacts like the dishware and coins were indicative of how the wealthy families lived and where they placed their priorities (comfort, luxury, etc.). I also thought it was interesting and telling to learn that these families thought nothing about the quantity of items they travelled with because they themselves were not the ones doing the packing and unpacking or the hauling of trunks.

I would have to say the luggage tags. They are personal to the point of being a poignant reminder of the humanness of the lives that were lost (and saved). Packing for a trip is a very personal and consuming experience. So much thought goes into what to bring, and with those decisions, expectations and excitement (or dread) of what lies ahead. Each luggage chest represented personal lives.

I liked those artifacts which showed the connection with the past characters, especially the baby rattle that Thomas had dropped. Since Everly found it then dropped it, I wondered if it was later recovered.

The most interesting artifact for me was the metal luggage tags with the names of the passengers on them.

I found all the artifacts to be interesting. I was so amazed by all the stuff people insisted on taking with them. Although, as others have said, they didn't have to worry about packing and lugging it all. I understand the reasons--worry about it being stolen while they were gone, needing all of it to impress others at their destination, not having paper plates!!! I still find it senseless how the rich acted.

I'm not sure this qualifies as an artifact, but the existence of letter books - copies of letters sent - was a real surprise to me.

I think the watch was the most interesting artifact because it stopped at the moment disaster struck.