Voyage 70 is on the way!
Voyage 70 was “stuffed” and sent out this weekend and includes a flyer with more information on the upcoming Boston Convention. Please visit our website which has today posted more details on speakers, agenda and menus. Check back for more information which will be confirmed as it becomes available at http://tiscon2010.org
Convention Date Official
Mark your calendars for the weekend of May 21-23 as T.I.S. celebrates Titanic: Birth of A Legend, the 100th anniversary of her building at Belfast. The beautiful Needham Sheraton will be the venue and the weekend will feature a trolley tour of historic Boston, a visit to see Old Ironsides, a cruise of the harbor, and lunch at The Oyster House on Saturday.
Our web site will launch on Sunday, January 24th with a complete list of programs and speakers and details of a very special project which will be part of the weekend. To get a preview of the hotel, please visit their link at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=15. Complete details of online booking, registration and fees will be coming soon in Voyage 70 as well as on our convention web site http://tiscon2010.org The countdown begins!
Foxwoods Titanic Exhibit
Coming soon to Foxwoods Resort & Casino http://www.foxwoods.com/titanic.aspx
Voyage 70 coming soon!
We’re at the printers now.
- Californian’s captain seeks U.S. citizenship, by Paul Lee
- A controversy of sights, sounds and distances, by Charles A. Haas
- Steaming through the ice fields at night, by Paul Slish
- Brushed out of the Boston American, by Senan Molony
- Birma’s wireless log resurfaces , by Paul Lee
What did Jack Thayer really see? by Steve Chuck
Memorial service honors Millvina’s memory, by David Hill
Belfast Titanic Society seeks help in rescuing memorial, by Charles A. Haas
Simulator re-creates Titanic’s collision, by Cdr. W. H. Wilson, Jr.
December 12th Bazaar
The World Ship Society Ocean Liner Bazaar is this Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the Abigail Adams Smith Auditorium at 417 East 61st Street in New York City, between First and York Avenues.
Voyage Delayed
Dear TIS Members, If you’ve been missing something lately, you’re not imagining things. A stubborn virus has twice hobbled the computer of Voyage’s editor, delaying completion of Voyage 70. A technician is working on the problem and, we hope, will solve it very soon. For now, we’re hoping to mail out the issue by late December or early January. We’re also taking steps to ensure that future issues’ content will be maintained in two places, so that layout and editing can continue even if the editor’s computer is virus-attacked again. With an excellent record of on-time mailings, we know this is surely a disappointment.
Voyage 70’s content will, we hope, at least make the extra wait worthwhile. In the meantime, we hope you will forgive the delay and accept our sincere apologies. And finally, we extend to you and to those near and dear to you our best wishes for a joyous and safe holiday season. Your TIS Trustees
Rescue a Titanic memorial!
(All photos courtesy of Una Reilly)
Belfast Titanic Society seeks your help
in rescuing Titanic memorial from ‘Wheel’
Una Reilly, chairman of the Belfast Titanic Society, has asked Titanic International Society members and website visitors to write letters to the Northern Ireland Planning Office, opposing plans to extend the placement of a giant Ferris wheel directly above and surrounding one of the world’s most significant Titanic memorials. If the Planning Office decides not to move the Wheel, the Belfast Titanic Society is urging that the memorial be relocated to another position in the park surrounding City Hall.
In November 2007 the “Wheel of Belfast,” a scaled-down, 200-foot (60m) version of the famous London Eye attraction, was placed directly over Belfast’s main Titanic memorial, which honors the memories of 22 residents — members of the crew and the shipyard “guarantee group” — lost in the disaster. Another monument honoring Lord William J. Pirrie is also overwhelmed by the Wheel’s presence.
Initially, the Wheel was to remain for a temporary, three-month stay. As its popularity and the resulting revenue grew, the Planning Office approved an extension to six months, and then an 18-month stay. The Office is now considering a further 30-month extension to the Wheel’s “temporary” stay, through September 2011, which includes the time of centennial observances of Titanic’s construction and launch.
Supporters of the Wheel’s current placement argue that it has become a significant tourist attraction, and, according to Reilly, “The theory was that as they walked past it to buy tickets for the Wheel, people would stop at the memorial and read the inscriptions.“
But, she explained, “Anyone who is reading the text is viewed on many occasions as an obstruction. The Biblical inscription on the far side of the plinth can only be viewed by negotiating an obstacle course, if guided by a member of the attraction’s staff.” The ramps funneling visitors to the Wheel’s boarding area are literally at the statue’s front face, preventing any possibility of obtaining an unobstructed photograph of the memorial as a remembrance of one’s visit.
If the Northern Ireland Planning Office decides to extend the Wheel’s stay, advocates for the memorial have proposed moving it and the Pirrie memorial to an area near an existing statue of Sir Edward Harland, co-founder of the shipyard that built Titanic and so many other ships. The Office thus far has not considered the relocation proposal.
The Titanic memorial features a beautiful sculpture of Thane looking down on two sea nymphs bearing up a drowned sailor, and now is located on the eastern side of Belfast’s Victorian-era City Hall. Dedicated in 1920, the memorial — the final work of sculptor Sir Thomas Brock — was moved to its present site in late 1959 when increased car traffic threatened its safety and that of drivers.
The memorial’s main inscription reads,
“Erected to the imperishable memory of those gallant Belfast men whose names are here inscribed and who lost their lives on the 15th April 1912, by the foundering of the Belfast built RMS Titanic through collision with an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.
“Their devotion to duty and heroic conduct, through which the lives of many of those on board were saved have left a record of calm fortitude and self sacrifice which will ever remain an inspiring example to succeeding generations.
“Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”
Reilly said of the Wheel, “It sends a signal which is entirely at odds with the city’s wish to celebrate its Titanic connection. It is insulting and disrespectful to all those who are remembered on the memorial. Would such a structure have been erected, for example, over a war memorial?” She added, “Titanic is one of five key tourism projects being promoted in Northern Ireland and yet total disregard is being shown for the memory of people who went down with the ship.”
TIS members and website visitors who wish to send their objections to the Wheel’s continued stay surrounding the memorial should forward their comments as soon as possible. In doing so, several rules must be followed:
One must cite in the letter the reference number for the planning application for extending the Wheel’s stay. That reference number is Z/2009/0922/F.
Additionally, letters must mention the word “object,” or “objection,” or they will be considered simply comments with little power to change the Planning Office’s position. If several household members wish to object, each should write a separate letter, as a message signed by several is considered as one.
Letters may be e-mailed, but should also be followed up by a postal submission. It is important to include your postal address and to indicate whether you wish to receive a response by e-mail or postal mail. Letters may be addressed to …
Divisional Planning Office
Attn: Mr. Neil Dunlop
Bedford House
16-22 Bedford St
Belfast BT2 7FD
Northern Ireland, UK
The e-mail address is belfast.planning@doeni.gov.uk For more visit this link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8385711.stm
A sample letter:
Dear Mr Dunlop
I write to formally put on record my objection to the proposed retention of the Belfast Wheel astride the Titanic Memorial at the side of Belfast’s City Hall. I feel very strongly that the Wheel in its current position is insensitive to the memory of people who died on Titanic, especially those whose names are inscribed on the Memorial. It also sends out a very confusing message to visitors to the city which is purporting to be proud of its links with the ship.
Surely a better position could be found for the Wheel where it would not restrict access to such an important memorial? The majority of those named have no grave for families to visit. The Titanic Memorial takes on that role, especially on 15th April each year. For the past two years, the Titanic remembrance service has been held in the shadow of a funfair attraction. Please do not allow the situation to continue.
This insensitivity and insult to men who gave up their lives on Titanic cannot be allowed to continue. Correspondence can be sent to me at my postal address above or by e-mail
Yours sincerely,
Archie Butt by Frank Millet
Frank Millet painted a series of Men in Uniform, which included his old friend Archibald Willingham Butt, aide to both Taft and Roosevelt. Frank Millet often stayed at Archie’s Washington home on G Street and the two travelled together to Italy before returning home on the Titanic.
Frank was concerned about Archie’s state of mind after the loss of his mother, and the marriage of Archie’s great love, Mathilde Townsend to another man. Butt was also distressed about political issues in Washington between Taft and Roosevelt. The trip to Italy to open a new school of art was to be a vacation for Archie Butt. The rest of their story is well-known, and the tragic outcome of the loss of both men.
The painting of Archie Butt was inherited by the grand -niece of Archie Butt, the former Margaret Morgan, daughter of Shirley Morgan and Arrington Butt (Archie’s brother’s one child). The feet have been cut off the portrait so the painting could hang over a mantle. Ultimately the portrait will find its way to Augusta, Georgia, to the art museum there.
Copy courtesy of owner, all rights reserved. For personal use only. May not be reproduced for publication in any form.
TIS participates in Miss Dean’s memorial
The following words written by Charles Haas on behalf of the TIS membership were read at the recent memorial service for Miss Millvina Dean. Thanks to David Hill of the British Titanic Society for conveying the sentiments of TIS and for arranging our memorial flowers. The photo taken by David Hill shown below is the arrangement sent to the church for the service, then on to Miss Dean’s nursing home after the service.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am profoundly saddened that I am unable to join you in celebrating the life of our dear friend Millvina Dean. I am deeply grateful to David Hill of the British Titanic Society for his willingness to read my words today.
Had fate not intervened, Millvina Dean likely would have lived a happy, productive life in the United States, where she, her parents and brother were bound aboard Titanic in April 1912. Her father’s tragic death canceled those optimistic plans. Though she would never know her father’s love, she, her brother Bertram, her mother Ettie and, later, her stepfather Leonard Burden were a loving family that moved on after the nightmare of that night.
What was Millvina like?
Sometimes, the simplest questions are among the most difficult to answer, especially when they touch upon both emotions and intellect.
Like so many other Titanic survivors, Millvina had a joie de vivre that somehow seemed a small compensation for the loss of her father when she was nine weeks old. She loved meeting people. Her ready smile made the most nervous child feel comfortable and, indeed, loved.
She had an amazing amount of patience, humbly explaining to press and public alike why she had no personal memories of that night in April 1912 – she was, after all, just an infant. I once watched her at a British Titanic Society convention’s “public” day, when she began an autographing session. The queue stretched across the room, out the door and down the hotel corridor. Some two hours later, she was still at it. Several times, convention staff, worried about her frailty, asked if she wanted to take a break. “Oh, no,” she said. “I can’t disappoint all these friends who’ve come to see me.”
She had a wonderful sense of humor. I was deeply honored several years ago to be asked to escort Millvina into the British Titanic Society convention’s gala dinner. As more than 150 watched our every step, Millvina grasped my right arm tightly for support, and whispered to me, “I do hope I’m not cutting off your circulation!”
Later that evening, a false fire alarm caused everyone to evacuate. We spent perhaps an hour in the chilly night air, as the fire brigade checked things out. Under a light in the hotel’s car park, Millvina, clad in the fire brigade’s thermal blanket, happily held court with all who approached – BTS members, fire brigade members, hotel staff — never minding the inconvenience or discomfort, and never missing a beat, nor an opportunity to converse with and learn more about others.
Millvina’s own personal optimism was one of her most endearing qualities. She brought happiness to every room. She spoke in bursts, her words bunched together, almost in a rush so she could offer another thought. Her sharpness and wit dazzled, right to the end.
Upon her return to England aboard the liner Adriatic in May 1912, she first experienced celebrity, although she didn’t know it. The Daily Mirror reported, “[She] was the pet of the liner during the voyage, and so keen was the rivalry between women to nurse this lovable mite of humanity that one of the officers decreed that first and second class passengers might hold her in turn for no more than ten minutes.” Yet somehow, nearly 70 years afterwards, she happily led a private life away from the spotlight. It was only in the 1970s that the world discovered Millvina.
She seemed surprised by the love and respect total strangers showed her and by the celebrity she enjoyed, but never sought. Millvina never seemed to mind the incessant intrusions on her privacy, from hucksters seeking to sell her autograph to insistent reporters worldwide who phoned at all hours.
As a Titanic historian, I had hoped to try to put Elizabeth Gladys “Millvina” Dean in some kind of historical perspective. “The end of an era” and other clichés came to mind. But in the end, all I know is this: The world was a better place while Millvina was among us. She is and will be deeply missed.
Her priceless lesson to all of us lives on: That even after experiencing the most profound tragedy— as she, her mother and brother did — a long life filled with love and friends, happiness and fulfillment, personal achievement and contentment, and even the admiration of a jaded world can be ours, if we wish it to be that way. That message of perseverance despite adversity is her final, most lasting gift to each of us.
“What was she like?” Each of us is privileged in life to meet truly unforgettable people whose love and spirit live on in our memories and our hearts. Millvina was one of those people. Rest well, Millvina, and thank you for 97 exceptional years, and for representing all of Titanic’s passengers and crew with wit, wisdom, compassion, selflessness, humor and hope. May God bless you. May you always be in our thoughts.
On behalf of the trustees and members of Titanic International Society, may I take this opportunity to express our sincere condolences to Millvina’s family, to her dearest friend Bruno Nordmannis, and to her many friends worldwide. Thank you.
Deborah Davies- Nursing home matron.
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Researching Liners of the World since 1989, Incorporated in Freehold, New Jersey
Celebrating Our Twentieth Anniversary Year 1989-2009
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