2010
In This Issue
The feature story covers the grand opening on April 8, 2010 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee of the newest Titanic Museum Attraction that was greeted by an enthusiastic and overflowing crowd. Although rain was falling, as far as the eye could see a colorful ocean of umbrellas filled the surrounding parking lot, entertainment platform and ship. At the front of the stage were special guests––collectors and contributors of both Branson and Pigeon Forge museums, including yours truly, descendents of family members of Titanic passengers, media from all the networks including live radio programming and the Internet.
Standing on “Titanic’s” imposing bow was “Captain Smith” who christened the ship with champagne. Bagpipers played and singers sang the national anthem at the raising of the American flag on Titanic’s foremast. After the official ceremonies ended, the cast of “Titanic, the Musical” sang selections followed by free evening concerts to crowds that overflowed onto the sidewalks and nearby properties. Traffic on the well-traveled Parkway through Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains National Park came to a halt when Saturday’s fireworks display choreographed to James Cameron’s Titanic movie theme, the haunting, “My Heart Will Go On” played as the night sky lit up for miles around.
How did families of lost ones sue the White Star Line? A THS member, The Honorable Mr. Justice Peter Smith of the Royal Courts of Justice in London explained in the case of “Ryan vs. Oceanic Steam Navigation Co.” and its result.
After reading a news clipping sent by Don Lynch it occurred there will always be opportunists taking advantage of a tragedy whether for attention, for money or other motivations. The article, “Mystery Out of Titanic Tragedy” is about misrepresentation, and a similar situation occurred when Frances James claimed to be a Titanic survivor. She was brought to a 1973 THS convention by another survivor, Frank Goldsmith, who “found” her. She was given the celebrity treatment, however, after some investigation, it was discovered she was just an elderly lady seeking attention.
History’s sense of timing can sometimes be cruel. Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh are familiar names but in the article submitted by Rick Sundin, “Harriet Quimby, Another Titanic Victim” except for history of flight aficionados, is mostly unknown. Born in Arcadia Township Michigan on May 11, 1875, she became the first woman to pilot a plane over the English Channel. Using nothing but a compass tucked between her knees to guide her way in the heavy fog, it’s amazing that she made it across. This outstanding accomplishment should have made her a household name with guaranteed press and praise from around the world. It was not normal circumstances. Harriet’s flight took place on Tuesday morning, April 16, 1912.
CONTENTS
GRAND OPENING WEEKEND OF THE TITANIC MUSEUM ATTRACTION, PIGEON FORGE, TN
By Ed and Karen Kamuda
A WALK THROUGH TITANIC PIGEON FORGE
By Ed and Karen Kamuda
THS 2011 TITANIC HERITAGE TOUR CONVENTION–– J.J. ASTOR’S
RHINEBECK AND THE HUDSON VALLEY
MYSTERY OUT OF TITANIC TRAGEDY
Excerpted from the Ft. Wayne (Indiana) Sentinel
THS’s PROJECT FOR 2012 UPDATE
TITANIC CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL
THE TITANIC DISASTER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY –– RYAN VS. OCEANIC STEAM NAVIGATION CO.
With thanks to Sir Peter Smith
REMEMBERING THOSE WHO PERISHED ON RMS TITANIC AND THOSE WHO SERVE AT SEA – INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL- APRIL 2010
HARRIET QUIMBY ANOTHER TITANIC VICTIM
With thanks to Rick Sundin
SEA POSTE
Assorted Member Notices: 2011 THS Dues Renewal; notes on 2011 THS Titanic Heritage Tour and the new Titanic Museum Store. Kate Finnegan’s photos of Remembering Those Lost at Sea––Fred Fleet and The Engineers‘ Memorial; International Ice Patrol in Halifax; THS member Gilbert Koski sent a photo of the lost Skoog family. A lady in Australia wondered if a relative was involved in the woodcarvings on the staircases on Titanic.
BOOK NOTES
Archie by George Behe; reviewed by Don Lynch and Elizabeth Nye Titanic Survivor by Dave Bryceson, reviewed by Tim Trower.
FRONT COVER
View of the newest “Titanic” from the bow of the new museum attraction at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The clouds moving along were just perfect to look like white smoke coming from the funnels. Photos: Karen Kamuda
BACK COVER
The night before Titanic Pigeon Forge grand opening and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (with apologies to Clement Moore’s “Night Before Christmas”), the opposite was going on, workmen were working round the clock to complete last-minute details on time. Photo: Tony Probst