by Terri Bey
On April 13, 1912, the RMS Titanic covered 519 miles over the past 24 hours, since noon the previous day at 21-22 knots. Wireless Operators John Phillips and Harold Bride completed their task of fixing the wireless apparatus. Down in boiler room 5, the coal bunker fire was finally extinguished and some black oil was put on the bottom of the watertight bulkhead that became warped, so it would look normal. In the reception room at about 1:30 p.m, there was a conversation between Captain Edward J. Smith and White Star Line President J. Bruce Ismay concerning the liner's performance and on what day she would arrive, whether it would be on Wednesday morning or Tuesday evening, according to the testimony of First Class passenger Mrs. Elizabeth Lines. Mrs. Lines said she overheard the White Star Line Chairman state, "Well, we did better today than we did yesterday, we made a better run today than we did yesterday, we will make a better run tomorrow. Things are working smoothly, the machinery is bearing the test, the boilers are working well" Mrs. Lines also testified that Ismay said to Captain Smith, ""We will beat the Olympic and get into New York on Tuesday." Captain Smith remained silent, according to Mrs. Lines. Ismay denied the conversation ever took place.*
Titanic-Related Media:
Movie Recommendation:
"Raise The Titanic" (1980) Director: Jerry Jameson Starring: Richard Jordan, Sir Alec Guinness, Jason Robards, Ann Archer. Based upon the novel of the same name by the late Clive Cussler.
I will start by saying that I recommend this film for those Titanic enthusiasts who like to collect everything about the RMS Titanic or for those who want to watch this film just to say you have seen it. For Titanic enthusiasts like myself, it is a guilty pleasure and that is fine. Even though I have not read the book, from talking to people who have, it is my understanding that the book is outstanding, so I would read the book. I will try to check the book out, myself.
The plot involves a race between the United States and the Soviet Union to try to get this mineral called Byzantium. Evidently, the book involves a character named "Dirk Pitt" who is in other books, but anyway, in this film, Dirk Pitt (Richard Jordan) leads this Admiral (Jason Robards) and other scientists on a wild goose chase to get this Byzantium before the Russians do. Well, thanks to some guy who got shot up in some cold area and a postcard, Dirk Pitt and the US team of military leaders and scientists discover the mineral is 12,500 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean in the wreck of the Titanic and they have to raise her.
As a film, it is not the greatest, and I am being kind. If you don't take it seriously, and just have fun with it, it is ok. There are a few highlights in the film that does make the film palatable. The first is the BEAUTIFUL film score by John Barry (Oscar winner for Best Original Song, "Born Free). It is one of his best film scores. Too bad the film wasn't good, as I thought the score should have been Oscar-nominated. The second is the scene where Dirk Pitt has to visit John Bigalow (Sir Alec Guinness) who, during the sinking, had a run-in with the man who supposedly had the safe containing this mineral. Guinness' description of the Titanic and the line, "What a lovely thing she was." really hit me in the heart. The last thing, of course, was the "raising scene."
I just think it is a cornball film. I watch it, when I feel like watching something related to the Titanic but don't feel like watching something serious.
*Source: www.paullee.com/titanic/index.php
Thanks for your posts Terri. I agree re the film, not to be taken seriously but a good watch nonetheless.