100 year anniversary of Titanic
On April 12th 1912 a tragedy struck the North Atlantic Sea. The maiden Voyage of Titanic fell into chaos when the ship smashed into an iceberg and caused irreparable damage. The ship sank to the bottom of the ocean taking most people with her.
100 years later and the tragedy is still in people’s minds. For those of you who do not remember or were too young to remember the Titanic Voyage, the ship sank on April 15th 1912. Upon its release the ship was deemed unsinkable due to the way the ship was structured by Harland and Wolff. The Titanic’s chief advisor was Thomas Andrews who sadly went down with the ship. The word ‘unsinkable’ was one that floated around and to this day haunts those who sailed upon her and who built her. The structure was based upon centuries of advancements made by wooden boats, and the design was created in steel but no one took into consideration the sheer size of the ship or how a boat that size could ever avoid an iceberg.On a cold night with very little wind, First Officer Murdoch gave the orders for the ship to take a sharp left turn to avoid collision with a foreseen iceberg. The engines were switched to reverse but the ship could not move in time and a hole 300 foot in size was created. Flooding began in six compartments but as the water levels rose the ship was pulled under and the ship was torn apart. The bow sank first leaving the stern at 90 degrees to the water’s icy surface before slowly sinking itself.
Women and children were instructed to evacuate the boat first through life boats around the ship but there were never going to be enough. Many people died in this tragic accident and some survived. 100 years later and there is a lot going on to celebrate the lives lost that night.
If you want to experience such an event, a film was created in 1997 about the event starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet depicting a love story that was struck on the voyage.
‘A once in a lifetime event’ will take place. On the 8th April 2012, the MS Balmoral will depart from Southampton and follow the original itinerary of the R.M.S Titanic as part of a 12 night memorial cruise. The journey will pass through Cherbourg before heading to Cobh on the Irish Port.
These journeys will attract Titanic enthusiasts, decedents of Titanic passengers and history buffs where they can enjoy a taste of life on the seas.
According to previous articles, Passengers that have already booked said:
“Once in a lifetime opportunity”
“This is something I have dreamt of since I was a small boy and look forward to it being an adventure of a lifetime. This kind of history happens only once and I am pleased to participate”
“My great grandfather was a Glory Hole steward on-board and survived rowing lifeboat No 13 to safety”
“The 2012 cruise will be a great tribute to the Titanic and not one to be missed”
On the anniversary of its sinking, the remains of the Titanic will be classed under the protecting underwater cultural heritage convention of 2001. UNESCO, which is the UN cultural and scientific agency only grants this to ‘remains that have been submerged for more than 100 years.’
UNESCO, in a statement said that this convention means that any artefacts that were stolen from the Titanic can be seized and exploration can be prevented that is not necessary. This is due to concern regarding the looting of ship wrecks.
Whatever you do to celebrate the anniversary of the R.M.S Titanic, remember the people who died in this incident and say a prayer for those who lived through the ordeal.
Victoria V.L Walker
