April 14-15, 1912 The Titanic Tragedy

While we are in a world crisis with coronavirus, in 1912 another crises unfolded with the unthinkable... the Unsinkable Titanic hit an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage April 14-15th shocking the world.

Built by Harlen & Wolff in Northern Ireland, and sailed by The White Star Line, it was believed to be perfection, and was indeed a floating palace... if you were 1st Class passengers. 

The size comparison is amazing though, with a modern Royal Carribbean ship as shown above, but it was the largest at the time, measuring 882 feet long. The Oasis Of The Seas shown above is 1,181 feet long, but 5 times the gross tonnage and carried 5 rimes the passengers.

  

If you are a Downton Abbey, I am sure you remember the shocking beginning of the series when the heir to the Earl Of Grantham is lost aboard...

This is The White Star offices on Cobh (Cork) Ireland, where she made her last stop before heading out to sea...

we have visited several times. It is now the Titanic Pub and has a museum relating to the ship and the tragedy.

The harbour area....

Rhe White Star Line became Cunard, which still carries passengers. We have been priveleged to sail of Queen Mary 2 twice crossing from Southampton to New York one year and the reverse the next on our then annual month buying trips to England.

The gorgeous atrium with an art deco style metal sculpture of a cruise ship breasting the waves...

This is a chrome tea strainer from the R.M.S. Caronia, another White Star Line ship that sailed from 1949 to 1969.

And a dinner menu from the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth from 1952...

The tragedy of Titanic is such a part of our history and imaginations. I couldn't but think of it in light of our current virus tragedies and loss of life. The passengers on Titanic could do little to escape their fate, while we can do much.

Please stay in, wash your hands and follow the guidance given. This is not a time for rebellion, which puts so many others at risk.