Thank You, Dr. Robert Ballard and Jean-Louis Michel for finding the RMS Titanic

by Terri Bey

On September 1, 1985, the event many thought was impossible became possible. Humans were once again able to lay eyes on the iconic White Star Liner RMS Titanic, as the wreck of the majestic ship which sank on her maiden voyage on April 14-15, 1912 was discovered by Dr. Robert Ballard from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Jean-Louis Michel from INFREMER. Dr. Ballard was on a secret mission for the United States Navy. Dr. Ballard would find two nuclear submarines, the Thresher off of the eastern coast of the U.S and the Scorpion off of the eastern Atlantic, and then was allowed to use the remaining days to find the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Dr. Ballard found both submarines and had twelve days to find the most famous shipwreck in the world, the wreck of the RMS Titanic, and so he did along with Jean-Louis Michel of INFREMER, as we all know.

The discovery of the RMS Titanic is very significant to me, as my deep interest in the RMS Titanic started when I was about seven when I read a story about the disaster in grade school. My father, who was eight years old when the disaster occurred, would tell me the story about the disaster repeatedly. On that historic day when the wreck of the RMS Titanic was found, I was listening to some of my records when I heard my father's voice calling me and saying, "They found the Titanic!!" I called down, "Really!!" I was so excited. I ran down the stairs and there was the news anchor reading the news.

The discovery of the Titanic by Dr. Robert Ballard and Jean-Louis Michel means so much to me as sadly, my father would not live to see me graduate high school in June of 1986, as he passed away from cancer in May of that year. The discovery of the great liner was one of the last events that my father and I got to enjoy together. I am ever grateful for the discovery of the greatest liner ever.

Thank you, Dr. Robert Ballard and Jean-Louis Michel for discovering the wreck and giving my father and me one final bonding moment.

Dr. Robert Ballard (l) and Jean-Louis Michel (r) Photo by Bernie Brown, courtesy of Titanic Belfast

Contact: Alydace@yahoo.com

Happy Birthday to Titanic Book Club and Titanic Author George Behe

by Terri Bey

Here is a mini-blog for everyone about the Birthday Boy, and our co-founder Geo Behe . George Behe is also the author of such Titanic books as "Voices From the Carpathia," "Those Brave Fellows," and others.

I had the pleasure of meeting George at the 2019 Titanic Conference in Pigeon Forge. He was an amazing person to meet. His knowledge of the RMS Titanic was extensive. I forgot what he discussed in his lecture, but I found him to be a wonderful person to talk about Titanic and about life.

Thank you George for co-founding the Titanic Book Club with our fearless leader, Jill Carlier . I would never have read all these great books or would have met, at least online, some amazing people, thanks to the Book Club. I hope you are well and I hope you have a great birthday and have all the ICE Cream or Birthday cake you want. 😊

Contact : Alydace@yahoo.com

George Behe and I

Celebrating the "Unsinkable Molly" Margaret Tobin Brown in Cinema

by Terri Bey

On this day, July 18, 1867, Margaret Tobin Brown, daughter of John and Johanna Tobin, two Irish immigrants, was born in Hannibal, Missouri. Brown moved to Leadville, CO at age eighteen, and in September of 1886, she married John "J. J. " Brown. The couple became rich because of mining. Brown got involved in the Suffrage Movement. She also traveled the world.

Brown is most famous for surviving the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 14-15, 1912 as a First Class passenger in Lifeboat #6. It was in Lifeboat #6, where she had that infamous confrontation with Quartermaster Robert Hichens over whether they should go back for more survivors. Brown also gathered the surviving First Class women aboard the rescue ship, RMS Carpathia, and took up a collection for those who lost everything. Brown eventually gathered a committee together to award RMS Carpathia Captain Arthur Rostrom a "Loving" Cup and awards to his officers. Brown was later known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown."

As there are many movies portraying the RMS Titanic, there are many portrayals of Margaret Brown in these films. I have always loved Margaret Brown. She was full of spunk and I think she was and still is a great role model for women, as she ran for Senate in 1914 years before women got the right to vote.

Here are some movie portrayals of Margaret Browns. Enjoy. Happy Birthday Margaret Brown.

"The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (1964) stars Debbie Reynolds in the title role. This film is based upon the stage production of the musical of the same name. I could not find a decent "Titanic" scene. That scene itself is kind of silly, where she sings about "not being down." This film portrayal is not CLOSE to being accurate. This is just a fun musical.

"A Night to Remember" (1958) stars Kenneth More as Second Officer Lightoller, the highest-ranking officer to survive the disaster. The film is based upon the Walter Lord book of the same name, published in 1955. I picked two videos of Margaret Brown scenes. The first video features one of my favorites. Molly Brown (Tucker McGuire) is sitting with three other people talking about how she got rich and the very funny and true story about how her husband John had put money in the stove and lit a match.

The second link shows the famous confrontation between Margaret Brown and Quartermaster Robert Hichens (Arthur Gross) who is at the tiller, the mechanism that steers the boat. Hichens later said, "Of all the lifeboats available, she (Brown) had to step into mine." I loved how Margaret Brown would not take Hichens' guff. To see the confrontation, please fast forward to the 4:11 mark, as I could not find an isolated video of this confrontation.

As far as accuracy, I would say this is about as accurate as you can get. Margaret Brown was a thin woman. I notice that most she is a bit heavier in portrayals for some reason

"S.O.S Titanic" (1979) is a TV movie starring David Warner as Second Passenger Laurence Beesley and Cloris Leachman as Molly Brown. Brown is portrayed as a pretty sassy character. I like the film overall, but her insistence on being called "Molly" is definitely not accurate. I apologize for the film quality.

"Titanic" (1997) is the famous 1997 Best Picture winner starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Kathy Bates plays the part of Margaret Brown. I liked her portrayal of Brown. It is very interesting that director James Cameron has the exchange between Brown and Robert Hichens (Paul Brightwell) in reverse. In the "A Night to Remember" (1958) film, Brown threatens to throw Hichens overboard and in the Cameron film, Hichens does the exact opposite, and threatens to "punch a hole through her face." I know that the two had a rough going on that night, but I am wondering if Hichens would threaten a lady like that, especially back in those days.

Well, that is my celebration of Margaret Brown on the 154th anniversary of her birth. I hope you enjoyed this blog.

Contact: Alydace@yahoo.com