Commutator No. 227, Fall 3rd Quarter
Membership Year 2019
CONTENTS
The Percival White Letters
Despite his many journeys Percival was never a sophisticated traveler. The book Tales of a Titanic Family by William Russo describes how Edith White told a granddaughter that he would refuse to speak any language but English. Once in Germany he entered a hotel and demanded “Horse’s water! Horse’s water!” It was his best approximation of “Heisse Wasser,” as he wanted a room with hot water available. “Edith said she felt like crawling through the floor.”
By Don Lynch
Jacques Futrelle-A Georgia Native
When one thinks of the ill-fated passengers of the Titanic disaster, one of the first who comes to mind is Colonel John Jacob Astor. But how many have heard of the Georgia-born author and journalist Jacques Futrelle? During his time, he was as famous as any of the Titanic passengers.
By Chet Wallace
Book Notes
The Last Night on the Titanic: Drinking, Dining and Style by Veronica Hinke, reviewed by James Gifford. Intimate Voyages by Cynthia Joy, reviewed by Ray Lepien
One Role of the THS in the Titanic Centennial Chronicle
One that appeared to be a variation of the usual plan was a documentary produced by Katja Schroeder, Associate Producer for Story House Productions GmbH, for German public TV Channel ZDF. The scenes were shot on Main Street in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts in front of Henry’s Jewelry store, the (former) Grand Theater, the Titanic Museum and the (former) Paramount Theater in Springfield.
By Karen Kamuda
Titanic Lifejackets at Pigeon Forge
For the first and only time, the largest collection of remaining Titanic lifejackets will be on display from July 1 through December 2019 at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
S.S. Suevic “The Longest Ship”
A class of five ships were commissioned in 1897, during the Jubilee of Queen Victoria naming the class of ships the Jubilee class. In 1899 Afric, Persic and Medic were delivered. The Jubilee class was built to carry both passengers and cargo, but during their service it was noticed that the Australian route was used more than expected. It was decided to alter the design of Runic and Suevic to allow more passengers to be carried––the poop deck was enlarged and the bridge was moved forward. Suevic, was launched on April 4th 1900 and was delivered almost a year later, on March 9th 1901.
By Jerry N. J. Vondeling
Remembering Millvina Ten Years On
A Remembrance Service by the THS was held a year after her death in 2009. Looking back ten years.
Front and Back Covers: Front: An imposing formal photograph of Percival White taken in Paris in 1906. (Photo courtesy of Matilda Ticknor.)
Back: Madeleine Astor’s lifejacket on loan from the Titanic Historical Society graces the Titanic Lifejacket exhibition currently at Titanic Pigeon Forge. (Photo: Paul Burns)