THE heroic deeds of a Bolton sailor who rescued over 700 people following the sinking of the Titanic have been remembered as part of an international campaign.

Sir Arthur Henry Rostron, who was born in Sharples in 1869, was the captain of the ocean liner RMS Carpathia, when it saved hundreds of survivors from the Titanic after she collided with an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912.

Rostron's efforts have been highlighted by the Merseyside Maritime Museum during MuseumWeek - a worldwide festival for cultural institutions that takes place each year across social media.

Since 2014, the event has grown to include over 60,000 participants from over 100 countries, becoming the first virtual, worldwide cultural event on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Throughout the week a theme is chosen for each day, with Monday, May 11 dedicated to 'heroes' in celebration of the workers facing the current coronavirus crisis.

The Merseyside Maritime Museum, which holds a number of items relating to Capt Rostron, proudly shared his exploits on social media along with a number of images of the various medals he had won.

"The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 continues to fascinate people and Captain Rostron of the Cunard liner Carpathia is remembered as the shining hero of the rescue operation," said historian Stephen Guy from National Museums Liverpool.

"Captain Rostron showed great skill and courage in moving his ship so quickly through vast ice fields to rescue all 712 survivors.

"It took more than three hours to reach Titanic but Rostron made good use of the time. A list of 23 orders was successfully implemented by the crew to prepare Carpathia for taking on survivors. These included getting accommodation, food, drink and blankets ready and ordering his medical crew to stand by."

Capt Rostron was born at Bank Cottage, Sharples, to James and Nancy Rostron in 1869 and educated at Bolton Grammar School from 1882 to 1883 and then Bolton Church Institute.

He won wide praise for his energetic efforts to reach the Titanic before she sank, and his efficient preparations for and conduct of the rescue of the survivors. He was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal by the U.S. Congress, and in 1926, he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He rose to become the Commodore of the Cunard fleet, and retired in 1931.

A deeply religious man, eye witnesses say he closed his eyes in prayer while giving orders and speaking of the risk taken by running through dense ice at speed at night, he is reported to have said "I can only conclude another hand than mine was on the helm".

The first survivors came on board at 4.10am on April 15 1912 and the final person to reach safety on the Carpathia - at 8.30am - was the Titanic second officer Charles Lightoller.

Capt Rostron had joined joined the Cunard line in 1895 and had been master of the Carpathia for only three months when the Titanic sank.

"If anyone deserved a medal it was Captain Arthur Henry Rostron," added Mr Guy.