April 12, 1912- RMS Titanic's Third Day of Her Maiden Voyage

by Terri Bey

RMS Titanic is on the third day of her maiden voyage. The weather is a mix of sun and clouds. Passengers are learning to get around the ship and getting used to life aboard the grand liner. Second Class passenger Lawrence Beesley noted how chilly it was to sit outside. First Class passenger Colonel Archibald Gracie praised the gymnasium and the pool. Gracie enjoyed how the pool was heated to a "refreshing temperature" and noted how he enjoyed the squash court. The brand new RMS Titanic was being very well received by the passengers.

The RMS Titanic's wireless operators Harold Bride and Senior Operator Jack Phillips had to fix the wireless apparatus when a part broke. It was technically against the Marconi Company's rules for these guys to fix it, but a big part of their job was to send passenger messages, as that was how they made their money and also to write down important messages from other ships that Captain Edward J. Smith would need to see, like iceberg warnings, so the wireless apparatus needed to be in full operation. The wireless could have run on a backup system, but the operators would have had limited range. In fact, the RMS Titanic did receive iceberg warnings from the Empress of Britain and the La Touraine. Considering what would befall the great new liner, it was a good idea that the two wireless operators did fix the apparatus.

Titanic-Related Media:

Book Recommendation:

"Titanic In Photographs" by Daniel Klstorner, Steve Hall, Bruce Beveridge, Art Braunschweiger and Scott Andrews

The team that created "Titanic: Ship Magnificent" has created an awesome book of classic and rare photographs of the RMS Titanic, from her creation in Belfast to her departure from Southampton to the aftermath of the great liner's tragic ending. I loved this book. There are photographs by Fr. Francis Browne and photos from private collections from such members of the Titanic Community as Titanic author George Behe. I loved seeing all of these beautiful photos of the boilers and of the ship itself. The rare photos of the great liner traveling to Cherbourg are awesome. There is this particular one that I loved, where the authors point out where you can see Captain Smith on board.

I will admit that when I read the book, I felt a bit of sadness and a bit of anger. I obviously felt sad and angry for the unnecessary loss of 1496 souls and for the trauma that the 712 survivors went through for the rest of their lives. That is a given. What got me so sad and angry was looking at the photos of this beautiful and I mean beautiful ship and thinking how such a gorgeous liner went to waste. In my opinion, the RMS Titanic is the most beautiful man-made object that was EVER built. I am counting ships, hotels, man-made landmarks, whatever. It just makes me so sad that she was ruined. Regardless, the book captures her beauty and I highly recommend it.

April 11, 1912- RMS Titanic Arrives at Queenstown, Ireland and then to New York

by Terri Bey

In the early morning hours of April 11, 2012, the RMS Titanic arrives at Queenstown, Ireland, now Cobh, Ireland, to drop off passengers and to pick up the last of her remaining passengers for her maiden voyage. Several passengers disembark the giant liner, most notably, Father Francis Browne, who had taken many photos of the new liner. Father Browne was invited by a passenger to continue to New York, but Browne was forbidden by his superior, who messaged him, saying, "GET OFF THAT SHIP!!" I don't know if it were an "act of God," but thankfully, Father Browne did leave the ship, or we would have a very small amount of photos of the great liner while she was alive.

Queenstown native Fireman John Coffee abandoned the ship by hiding under the bags in one of the tugs, due to homesickness. The rest of the passengers boarded the great liner via tenders, as the water near the docks was too shallow for the Titanic. Many of these passengers were Irish Immigrants who wanted to go to the New World for a better life, most notably, the Addergoogle 14.

The RMS Titanic, with 2,208 people on board, including both passengers and crew, leaves Queenstown later that day for her destination, New York City, a destination she will never reach.

RMS Titanic leaving for the open seas. Photo: Fr. Francis Browne

Titanic-Related Media:

Titanic Movie Recommendation:

"S.O.S. Titanic" (1979) Director: William Hale Starring: David Jansen, Cloris Leachman, David Warner, Susan Saint James, Ian Holm

This film is a re-enactment of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The story revolves around the let's say friendly relationship between two Second Class passengers Lawrence Beesley (David Warner) and a fictitious character named Leight Goodwin (Susan Saint James) and the relationship between Colonel John Jacob Astor (David Jansen) and his wife Madeleine (Beverly Ross).

Overall, I like this film. I thought the acting was pretty decent, and the sinking re-enactment was done well, with a little assistance from scenes from "A Night to Remember. (`958)" "S.O.S Titanic" is in color, so it was weird seeing the black and white scenes in "A Night to Remember" scenes in color. I thought Ian Holm as J. Bruce Ismay, did a really good job and was the acting standout.

A movie tidbit: David Warner, who plays Lawrence Beesley, also played the evil Spicer Lovejoy in the James Cameron film, "Titanic" (1997).

Another highlight of the film is the scenes with the Cunard RMS Carpathia and what is happening on that ship as she comes to Titanic's aid.

I generally liked this film and I recommend it. It can be found on Amazon Prime and on Amazon if you want to check it out.

Feedback is encouraged and welcomed.

Contact me at Alydace@yahoo.com

April 10, 1912- RMS Titanic Leaves Southampton for Start of Maiden Voyage

by Terri Bey

At about 12:20pm, the brand new White Star Liner, RMS Titanic leaves its Southampton docks for its maiden voyage. Before it leaves, there was a final inspection of the lifeboats and some straggling stokers, who stayed too long at a nearby pub, called The Grapes, were turned away as the gangway plank was being pulled away.

There was a near-calamity, when the huge Titanic nearly collided with the S.S. New York, when thanks to the Titanic's draft, the New York breaks from its docks and veers towards the new liner, but thanks to some quick work by the tugs, disaster is averted.

The RMS Titanic arrives later this evening to Cherbourg, France, where passengers, such as Molly Brown and the Astors board.

Titanic-Related Media:

Documentary Recommendation: "Inside the Titanic"

This is one of my favorite documentaries. It shows the disaster, but it also shows what is going on inside the ship as far as what the water is doing and where the water is at different points in the sinking. This documentary concentrates on several passengers and how they fight against the sea.

Highly recommended.

Note: This particular video repeats some of it, so stop when it actually ends.

https://youtu.be/m8iOBCL_C3U

Feedback: Alydace@yahoo.com