Titanic International Society

R.I.P. 1912-2012

administrator — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:14:32 +0000

Driving to the Convention?

administrator — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:52:25 +0000

Driving directions to Holiday Inn Meadowlands Secaucus, our convention hotel.

For those using GPS, the hotel’s address is 300 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094

Please note: Our convention hotel is the Holiday Inn Meadowlands Secaucus, not the Holiday Inn Express Meadowlands in Carlstadt!

From the west or north, take best available route to Interstate 80 east, to Interstate 95 South (New Jersey Turnpike) When it divides, use the Eastern Spur towards the Lincoln Tunnel. Take Exit 17 and stay right. Follow sign to Secaucus immediately after paying the toll. Go through the traffic light and over the bridge. You are now on Harmon Meadow Boulevard. Go to the second light and turn right onto Plaza Drive. Bear right past the Convention Center and the Holiday Inn is 50 yards further on the right.

From the south: Take Interstate 95 (New Jersey Turnpike) north to Exit 16-E (“Lincoln Tunnel/NJ Route 3”). Keep left at the fork to continue toward Harmon Meadow Boulevard. Merge onto Harmon Meadow Boulevard. Turn right at Plaza Drive. Holiday Inn will be on your right.

From Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR):

• Distance: 12 mi/19.31 km north to hotel

• Taxi Charge (one way): $65

• Time by Taxi: 20 – 30 min

Take NJ Turnpike north to Exit 16-E (“Lincoln Tunnel/ NJ Route 3”). After toll booth, keep left. Take service road through the first traffic light onto Harmon Meadow Blvd. Follow the road to 2nd traffic light. Make a right onto Plaza Dr. Go 1/4 mile; hotel is on left.

From LaGuardia Airport (LGA):

• Distance: 30 mi/48.28 km south east to hotel

• Exit airport, take Grand Central Parkway West. Over Tri-Borough Bridge to Interstate 87 North (Major Deegan Expressway) to Interstate 95 South (Cross Bronx Expressway) over George Washington Bridge. Follow to New Jersey Turnpike South (Interstate 95). Leave at Exit 17, keep right after toll. Follow directions above after toll.

From John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK):

• Distance: 40 mi/64.37 km southeast to hotel

• Exit airport, follow VanWyck Expressway to the Grand Central Parkway West. Go over Tri-Borough Bridge to Interstate 87 North (Major Deegan Expressway) to Interstate 95 South (Cross Bronx Expressway). Follow across George Washington Bridge to New Jersey Turnpike South (Interstate 95). Leave at Exit 17, keep right after toll. Follow directions above after toll.

The Titanic-Lizzie Borden Connection

administrator — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:16:22 +0000

Two very unlikely historical events find a common denominator within the Drew Family.

http://lizziebordenwarpsandwefts.com/2012/03/12/the-lizzie-borden-titanic-connection/

Belfast Museum Slideshow

administrator — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:09:49 +0000

TIS members who visited Belfast during our convention last May were amazed by the new “Titanic Belfast” museum under construction at the former Harland and Wolff shipyards. The building’s interior is now nearing completion for an April 2012 grand opening, and more than 80,000 tickets already have been sold for this significant Titanic attraction. For a BBC slideshow tour of this amazing building, click here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17361059

The Deadline Approaches!

administrator — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:48:26 +0000

2012 Titanic Centennial Convention Registration Deadline is April 5!

Click following link to view updated flyer 2012Convention(final)

We have been working hard to make our Titanic Centennial Convention a truly memorable weekend. We have invited descendants of Titanic’s passengers and crew to join us, and to help provide a thoughtful conclusion to the worldwide observances of this milestone anniversary, in keeping with our theme, “Remembrance and Reflection.”

In addition to all the special features described in our first convention flyer (still available for download through a link at the top of our website’s home page, we’ve added an “Authors’ Corner,” where authors of the newest Titanic books will be on hand to sell and autograph their volumes. It will be an ideal time to browse and add to your Titanic library. (If you wish to join the “Authors’ Corner,” please contact the Convention Committee through the TIS website’s “Contact” link at the top of our home page so we can reserve a table for you.)

Registrations have been arriving daily, and less than a month remains before the deadline for hotel room reservations and convention registration. Because TIS must confirm the numbers of participants for our bus, the New York Harbor luncheon cruise, our Ellis Island visit, and our reception and gala dinner participants, we must receive your instructions no later than 5 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, April 5. We regret we will be unable to accommodate requests after this date!

We have expanded our bloc of hotel rooms, but have been advised we may not be able to expand it further. And after April 5, all unbooked hotel rooms will be released to the public! Please act now and avoid disappointment! There may well be members of the public wishing to participate, but our members have priority!

Several members have booked hotel reservations but not their convention registrations; others have registered for the convention but have not booked a room. Please ensure you have booked both hotel and convention by April 5!

Within the next week or so, the entrée choices for our gala dinner on April 28 will be posted on our website,. Convention delegates will make their entrée selections at their tables the night of April 28.

Don’t forget- you may use Paypal to send activity and banquet fees (total package for the entire weekend events is $235, which does not include hotel reservations). Be sure to send funds in USD, U.S. Dollars. Our send to address is payment@titanicinternationalsociety.org and will go directly to Robert Bracken, treasurer for the convention.

Convention update

administrator — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:05:34 +0000

Getting to our convention hotel

For TIS members wishing to travel via public transportation to our convention hotel, the Holiday Inn Secaucus Meadowlands, the following information will be helpful:

Bus service to the hotel is available from New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal (8th Avenue and W. 42nd St.): See timetable and fare information for NJTransit bus #320, found at www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0320.pdf

On the timetable, use column 2, “Secaucus Harmon Meadow Plaza Drive at Harmon Meadow Blvd” as your destination; from the bus stop the hotel is a short walk through a campus-style shopping center. (See map at http://www.harmonmeadow.com/pages/plazamap.html ; our hotel is on map’s right side.) The journey takes about 15 minutes, and the fare is $3 one-way.

Bus service is also available from the Hoboken (NJ) train station via NJTransit bus #85. See the schedule and fare info at http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0085.pdf . On the timetable, use column 4 for your destination.

Train service is available from New York’s Pennsylvania Station and from the Newark Airport Rail Station to Secaucus Junction, about 2 miles from the hotel. If you phone our hotel, a complimentary shuttle service can pick you up from the Secaucus Junction train station during certain hours. Contact the hotel directly for details. Alternatively, NJTransit offers weekday bus service from 1:47 to 6:22 pm on bus #78 from Secaucus Junction to the Harmon Meadow bus stop near the hotel. See schedule and fare information at http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0078.pdf , using column 3 as your destination.

From Newark Airport station, the train trip takes about 15 minutes and costs $12.25. For train schedules, go to http://www.njtransit.com/hp/hp_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=HomePageTo , enter your departure station and then “Secaucus Junction” as your destination station.

Driving directions and taxi details, etc. may be found at www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/eng/Secaucus/hmnj/hoteldetail/directions

A map showing our hotel (the Holiday Inn, 400 Plaza Drive) and the Harmon Meadow shopping complex can be found at http://www.harmonmeadow.com/pages/plazamap.html

Your trustees wish you a safe and comfortable journey and look forward to seeing you at Convention 2012!

Costa Concordia

administrator — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:06:17 +0000

Many Titanic International Society members have been following closely the developments in the tragedy of the cruise ship Costa Concordia off the western coast of Italy. Many comparisons to the Titanic disaster have been a part of the news media’s ongoing coverage of the event.

TIS member David Hutchings has forwarded a link that may help our members and website visitors understand what may have happened on the night of January 13, 2012.

Capt. John Konrad, a US Coast Guard-licensed master mariner unlimited, has charted the final moments and maneuvers of the Costa Concordia using data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) — an automatic tracking system used for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data on course, speed and headings with other nearby ships and AIS base stations. Capt. Konrad interprets the data from an experienced mariner’s point of view, and explains the scenario so that even a “landlubber” can understand it. The presentation runs approximately 15 minutes. Capt. Konrad’s interpretations are his own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Titanic International Society, its trustees or members. The presentation is offered here only for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by TIS of his opinions.

It can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/35351659

Congratulations to Una!

administrator — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:42:26 +0000

Her Majesty honors Una Reilly

Titanic International Society members who attended our conventions in Boston in 2010 or in Belfast in 2011 will be delighted to learn that Una Reilly, chairman of the Belfast Titanic Society and a member of TIS, has been named a Member of the British Empire in the 2012 New Year’s Honours List by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The award recognizes her “services to Maritime and Industrial Heritage in Northern Ireland.”

In 1992, Una was a co-founder of the then-named Ulster Titanic Society, today the Belfast Titanic Society, and almost single-handedly helped to change Belfast residents’ attitude toward Titanic from one of indifference or embarrassment to one of great hometown pride. As Una’s personal slogan put it, “What happened to her was a disaster. She was not.” The resulting groundswell of Titanic interest in her birthplace city provided a focal point and the impetus for the massive redevelopment of the former Harland & Wolff shipyards known as “Titanic Quarter,” which will be highlighted by the iconic “Titanic Belfast” Museum, opening in April 2012, which will tell the story of Titanic and the shipbuilding industry in Northern Ireland’s capital city.

The effort to recognize Una’s unique contributions was organized by Titanic historian Stephen Cameron, whom many of our members met in Belfast in 2011.

Titanic International Society president Charles Haas was one of many submitting letters supporting Una’s nomination for the award. He wrote, in part, ‘These projects became reality largely because of civic interest in history’s most famous ship, rekindled through the continuing efforts of Ms. Reilly. Their completion will make Belfast a renowned tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the world. In a very real sense, Titanic will be the means by which Northern Ireland’s largest city will make its own journey into a bright future, proud of its history and manifesting the same “can-do” philosophy that is a hallmark of every one of Una Reilly’s efforts on behalf of her city, her country, and RMS Titanic.”

Regarding the award, Charlie added, “The trustees and members of Titanic International Society extend their heartiest congratulations to our dear friend Una for this well-deserved honor. Northern Ireland and Titanic could ask for no finer ambassador than Una. Our wonderful visit to Belfast in May 2011, and our convention in Boston in 2010 gave many of our members the opportunity to know Una and enjoy her friendship and warm hospitality. We are absolutely thrilled that Her Majesty has recognized her significant contributions to Titanic history, ensuring that the significant role of Titanic’s “home town” will be remembered in perpetuity, thanks to her energetic and passionate efforts.”

The first member of her family to be so honored by the monarch, Una will be entitled to place the initials “MBE” (Member of the British Empire) after her name. With family members proudly watching, she will receive her award from Her Majesty the Queen sometime within the next six months.

Artifact Auction in the News for 2012

administrator — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:41:21 +0000

Premier Exhibitions’ subsidiary RMS Titanic, Inc., the company that has recovered more than 5,500 Titanic artifacts during a series of perilous but successful expeditions, has signed an agreement with Guernsey’s, the New York auction house, to offer for sale to the highest bidder, the entire collection of artifacts, expedition video, film and photographs, and the salvor-in-possession rights in an auction to begin April 1, 2012, with results announced on April 15, 2012, the 100th anniversary of the ship’s loss. The collection, to be sold as a single lot, has an estimated value of approximately $250 million. Further details of the auction may be found at www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/29/titanic-auction_n_1174195.html At http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/796764/000119312511351838/0001193125-11-351838-index.htm one can view the company’s press release announcing the auction (click on “Exhibit 99.1″), and the agreement with Guernsey’s (click on “Exhibit 10.1″)

TIS President Charles Haas said, “It is important to remember that U. S. District Court Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, who has thoughtfully and closely supervised Titanic’s case for more than a decade, must approve all details of this sale, and likely will be advised by the the U. S. government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in doing so. Judge Smith has insisted on the highest standards for the artifacts throughout her involvement with Titanic, and there’s every reason to believe she will apply those same standards now. “While we don’t know whether the collection actually will find a qualified buyer at this auction, we are confident that the watchful work of the Court in supervising any sale or transfer will ensure that the artifacts will remain on public display, and will receive the best of care. “We are sad that a significant chapter in Titanic’s ongoing story, the exemplary involvement of RMS Titanic, Inc. that began in 1987 under the thoughtful and pioneering leadership of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and the late George H. Tulloch in retrieving, conserving and exhibiting these precious items, may now be coming to close. We hope that the artifacts’ future will be assured and enhanced, should a new owner receive the Court’s approval.”

A series of covenants, agreed to by Premier Exhibitions/RMS Titanic, Inc., NOAA and the Court, sets forth significant restrictions on the sale, treatment and exhibition of the artifacts, and is legally binding on RMST and all future purchasers of the collection. These covenants may be found at http://www.gc.noaa.gov/documents/gcil_titanic_opinion_081210_ex_A.pdf At this point, your Titanic International Society trustees have no information beyond what has been published in the media, but as further details emerge, we will endeavor to keep our members and website visitors informed through our journal, Voyage, and through further postings here on our website.

A preview of the Belfast 2011 Journey

administrator — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:57:02 +0000

Please click on this link to view a short slideshow preview of the trip to Ireland http://web.photodex.com/view/bp47c28 More to come!