Titanic - was it really Olympic in pictures?

Thomas Andrews & his family.


So, why Titanic? Good question. No one alive has ever seen Titanic as she was, all we have seen is the wreck. Yet we still compare things to Titanic, something we have never really seen. We can look at photographs and some early film. But, did you know most of the pictures of Titanic, are not of Titanic at all but her sister ship ‘Olympic’.

Olympic had a longer life and went on to be nicknamed ‘old reliable’, she even sunk a U boat in the war (but that’s another story). I’ve often read Titanic was poorly built. If that was the case, look at Olympic. It also is an insult to her builders and the many people skilled and unskilled who worked on her. Titanic at Belfast stood as the largest ever man made object. Men from Harland & wolff among them her designer Thomas Andrews travelled on the maiden voyage and were lost with her.


As she left Southampton carpets were still being laid. The clock on her first class staircase was put in place, she had arrived from Belfast with a mirror temporarily covering the space. It is said the passengers could still smell fresh paint.











Contributor: Morag Irving BA (OPEN)., Dip.Lit. e-mail: moragirvinguk@aol.com Tel:01733 345581

Brief Review of Titanic - The True Story

The programme was the first in a series, it looks at films and tries to unpick the truths behind the stories. I suspect as we get nearer to the 100 years anniversary we will see a few more programmes like this.

In total I did not think the programme was too bad. A few niggles in the first section, had me shouting at the the television, but by the time we moved onto the scientific theory it improved.

The question of Captain Smiths perceived ‘guilt’ in the events is always raised. Mr Louden-Brown’s theories of a nervous breakdown are similar to my own. I would further have explored the way commands were interpreted and the devastating effect that would have.
It is said she was going too fast. This is all in light of hindsight, and the distance of almost 100 years.

The Californian controversy was covered with an explanation of Super-Refraction by Francois Hugo. The curve of the Earth, and weather conditions causing a vessel to appear closer than it was in reality. The programme did not mention that Titanic herself was not found in her last posted location.

No mention was made of the US and UK investigations and the materials available there.

The programme mentioned 'Titanic' is be released in 3D to coincide with the anniversary.







Contributor: Morag Irving BA (OPEN)., Dip.Lit. e-mail: moragirvinguk@aol.com Tel:01733 345581

Who owns Titanic?

Following her loss several insurance claims were made by passengers for items lost. Titanic’s insurers (Willis, Faber & Co) eventually paid the White Star line £1m.
When do the items taken from the wreck cease to be the property of the estate of the person who owned them at the time? None of the items can tell us anything about 1912 that we don’t already know
The problem arises as Titanic is in International waters. The US government has taken steps to protect the wreck, but the laws are only applicable in the US. To protect the wreck requires a worldwide agreement..
It has been claimed dives to the site are causing further damage to the already fragile hulk. Should further dives take place?


Contributor: Morag Irving BA (OPEN)., Dip.Lit. e-mail: moragirvinguk@aol.com Tel:01733 345581

Titanic Films

One of the first films about Titanic came out in 1912. It starred Dorothy Gibson. Ms Gibson was an actress and herself a Titanic survivor. In the film Ms Gibson wears the clothes she was wearing on the night. The photo pupports to be 'the' coat, it looks very 1920s to me.Contributor: Morag Irving BA (OPEN)., Dip.Lit. e-mail: moragirvinguk@aol.com Tel:01733 345581

Channel 5 - The True story Friday 7 Jan

Watching the 1995 ‘Titanic’ film starring Catherine Zeta Jones on Channel 5 this afternoon. Not quite as bad as some, but still some real howlers. Also noticed Channel 5 have a Titanic documentary coming up on Friday 7th January at 8pm. ‘Titanic:The True story’.



Contributor: Morag Irving BA (OPEN)., Dip.Lit. e-mail: moragirvinguk@aol.com Tel:01733 345581