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.

 

Tea On The Titanic, Titanic Commemorations

The Whiye Star Line Titanic was the most opulent ship afloat when it sailed away from Ireland on her maiden voyage only to hit an iceberg and sink in 1912.  I am joining Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for her Tea On The Titanic, and Tuesday Cuppa Tea with Antiques And Teacups

These photos were taken by passenger Father S.M. Browne and found on various Titanic sites, I don't know if he survived or not.

The Titanic was one of 3 sister ships: The Olympic, the Titanic and the Britannic. They were designed by Harland & Wolff of Belfast.

I don't have any Titanic memorabilia to share, but I do have a silver plated tea strainer dating to the 1930s from her last sister ship, the Britannic, that was launched in 1929 and used as a passenger ship between Southampton, England and New York until she was decommissioned in 1960. The tea strainer is available at Time Was Antiques. Just click the photos for more information.

 

A postcard I have of the Britannic:

 As it is the centennial of that horrific disaster, there are many commemorations. The Fred Olsen Cruise Line cruise ship The Balmoral left April 8th following the exact route of Titanic carrying the same number of passengers, 1309, and serving as much as is possible, the same menus, with many of the passengers in period dress. The passengers include many family members of Titanic passengers.  The ship will rendezvous with an Azmara cruise ship for special services at the Titanic site. The Fred Olsen line is operated by Harland & Wolff.

Elsewhere, in conjunction with the Titanic commemoration, The Titanic Museum opened in Belfaast, Ireland on the site of Harland & Wolff's docks were Titanic was built. The museum opened on March 31st and is sold out with timed entrance into June. The museum itself is a facinating design of ship prows. Here is a photo from the BBC of the opening night fireworks:

When we were last in Southampton, England to sail home from the UK on the Cunard Queen Mary 2, we visited the memorial to the band that went down with Titanic, as most of the members were from the city and area around Southampton. It was such a sad thing.

On the voyage across, the Captain, Commodore Warwick, let us know when we passed over the Titanic and we had a minute of silence. Cunard is actually descended from the White Star line.

I have added some links here to the Titanic Museum website and others with fabulous resources. One, Titanic Stories, has a day by day interactive view of Titanic's voyage with dramatized portrayals of various passengers, accurately portrayed from historical documents.

The Titanic Museum In Belfast 

Titanic Stories

Titanica Exhibit - National Museums of Ireland