2010
In This Issue
This issue includes the conclusion of Oceanic III, The Unfinished Dream by Timothy Trower, the result of years of research to bring her story to date. Engineering in September 1952 summed it up: “Unfortunately, due to the depressed state of shipping at the time, the construction of the vessel had not gone very far before it was brought to a halt. As a result, Queen’s Island was denied the honour of building the first vessel to have a length of 1,000 feet and completing what would have been truly a remarkable achievement in the sphere of shipbuilding and marine engineering. Nevertheless, the fact that such a bold design was ever contemplated suffices to prove how far Messrs. Harland and Wolff had by then progressed along the path of Diesel engine development for marine propulsion.”
As the Titanic Historical Society continues the process of raising funds (including the latest group of donors listed) for the Titanic Centennial Memorial to be unveiled on the weekend of April 20-22, 2012, in Springfield, Massachusetts, other groups in cities here and abroad have remembered their own. Mr. Duane Broyles of the Fairmont Memorial Association in Spokane, Washington kindly sent information about their memorial, “SPOKANE’S CONNECTION TO THE RMS TITANIC DISASTER” that was dedicated on April 15, 2009. John and Lizzie Chapman, Margaret Rice and her five children, and Charles M. Hays perished on the Titanic without ever realizing their connection to each other or to Spokane through William Rice.
The Perfect Squelch is a pithy commentary that usually knocks down perceived wisdom. Engineer had been touting Cunard’s latest liner, Campania, for an innovation. Now, rivalry between White Star and Cunard was a given. However, that a new feature promoted on Campania was already on a White Star vessel and a livestock carrier, to boot and, had been created by Harland and Wolff, was not lost on one of its readers.
Journalist Senan Molony’s latest book, Titanic Scandal-Mount Temple ‘The Real Mystery Ship’ includes evidence for and against the Mt. Temple, including evidence that many of her officers left the ship at her first port of call after the sinking and cryptic clues were given by passengers in an extract titled, Witness Passengers.
To the casual observer, the launching of a ship looks easy but the fact is, it is complicated. Principessa Jolanda is the Launch That Failed. She was launched on September 22, 1907, near Spezia, Italy in the Gulf of Genoa when an accident happened. A large section of the cradle clung to the hull and burst into flames causing the vessel to incline at an angle of 60 degrees. The ship tipped eastward and turned on her side. The photographs are mesmerizing and tragic.
Titanic SailAway Parties was a lot of fun with interesting and innovative programs as can be seen in the colorful album of photos in this issue. A beautiful memorial service of remembrance for Millvina Dean led by Revs. George Demass and Mark Statler was one of the weekend highlights.
Contents
OCEANIC III THE UNFINISHED DREAM CONCLUSION By Timothy J. Trower
A LAUNCH THAT FAILED – STRIKING PICTURES OF PRINCIPESSA JOLANDA
THE RICE FAMILY AND OTHER SPOKANE CONNECTIONS TO THE TITANIC DISASTER By Duane Broyles
THS’s PROJECT FOR 2012 UPDATE FOR THE TITANIC CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL
WITNESS PASSENGERS – EXTRACT FROM TITANIC SCANDAL THE TRIAL OF THE MOUNT TEMPLE By Senan Molony
THE PERFECT SQUELCH: CAMPANIA VERSUS TAURIC
TITANIC SAILAWAY CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE FOR MILLVINA DEAN
THS 2011 CONVENTION ANNOUNCEMENT – RHINEBECK, NEW YORK – J.J. ASTOR’S FERNCLIFF
SEA POSTE
Was Eileen Shaeffer a Titanic survivor? Finding the wreck of the former S.S. America on Google Earth. Were E-43 to E68 originally designated to be second class staterooms on Titanic? Photograph of an iceberg taken July 3,1912 on a US Navy vessel — figuring drift — was this the fatal iceberg? Top Ten Tips of Dos and Don’ts for Collectibles. Information on several items — an old White Star fork, brass tags with S.S. Titanic stamped on them and an old print with Olympic and Titanic by Montague B. Black.
BOOK NOTES
Ships of the White Star Line by Richard deKerbrech and Titanic Victims in Halifax Graveyards by Blair Beed. Reviews by Tim Trower.
FRONT COVER
The majestic liner is an artist depiction of Oceanic III that graced the jacket cover of Damned by Destiny courtesy of Peter Wrigglesworth, from the collection of Richard de Kerbrech and David Williams.
BACK COVER
Standing beside the Long memorial are some of the THS members who participated in Linda Levister’s Springfield Cemetery Walk during the recent convention, Titanic SailAway Parties. Photo: Karen Levister
