It could be said that, along with many
others in this part of England, I have become a little obsessed with
the RMS Titanic which hit an iceberg 100 years ago today and sank in
the early hours of the 15th April 1912 in the North Atlantic with the loss of over 1,500 lives.
Part of the
reason for the need to soak up all the information that can be found
about what happened to this ship and its passengers on its disastrous
maiden voyage; is that I live very close to the port of Southampton
and many of its crew came from this area. At the time of the disaster
there was
hardly a single street in the city that hadn’t lost someone on that
ship and in those days that meant families were left without any income, there was no compensation or help for them.
The stories of the crew and the passengers have been told and
retold many times but they are fascinating. I have even met
two people who had relations on board the fated ship. Someone I know very well
discovered that her great uncle was a stoker and he went down with
the ship. Last Sunday I sat next to a lady whose Great Grandmother
was a survivor, but not only that she did her bit to row and steer
the lifeboat that she was on. There is of course at the moment much
on the television and radio about the disaster and some may say that it glorifies what happened. However, I don't think that is the
case for we have a lot to learn from such tragedies. The people
who were involved were just like you and me, frightened and
vulnerable people who had to make decisions quickly. Some of the
stories are heroic whilst others may seem even cowardly, but there is often the need to survive which can bring out the best or worst in all of us.
The tatted anchor was designed by Lily Qualls Morales, but I cannot find the link to it. Not sure if I tatted it correctly, but it is a lovely pattern that deserves a bettter attempt than mine!
On a more cheeful note as we remember the disaster that took place 100 years ago, I took some photographs of some Spring flowers blooming in Southamtpon today, just to cheer us and remind us of new life.
Violet
Primrose
I am also fascinated by the Titanic and the stories surrounding it. I read A Night to Remember when I was in high school, and I just downloaded the anniversary edition on my Kindle. Yes, I plan to read it again!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to take a peek in our garden today to see if the violets are out. I don't have any primroses, so I'll just enjoy your picture!
Oh great Diane someone else is fascinated! When you do speak to those who had relations on the ship or listen to the documentaries, well the stories are so moving. Also the difference between the wealthy and the poor and how they were treated is incredible.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful anchor, It's been a lot of news and items about the titanic, it's amazing some of the lovely stories that have come to light 100years on.
ReplyDeleteMargaret
I too am fascinated... my daughter lives very near the hotel in NYC -http://www.thejanenyc.com/#/history - the Jane Hotel, where survivors of the Titanic stayed. I pass it every time I visit on a walk or a jog and I think about all that...
ReplyDeleteFox : )
p.s. Lovely anchor! Could it be tatted in its namesake? : ))
ReplyDeleteFox
I love your anchor - but I'm not at all interested in the Titanic! In fact, I didn't even see the movie - as I had already seen A Night to Remember!
ReplyDeleteI do realise that I am probably the only person on the planet who feels this way.
Fox that is so interesting thanks for the link, did not know that fact at all.
ReplyDeleteMaureen I am sure you are not the only one that isn't interested in the Titanic, but if you lived, like I do, so near to those who were affected by the diaster it might be different. Films are not always the best things to watch if you want to know the truth!
A very nice tribute...I think you did a great job on it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading about Titanic. Great nephew is facinated by it and can tell me all kinds of facts/info.
ReplyDeleteGreat anchor, too. Karen in OR
love your flowers Sally, and your anchor is looking very nice.
ReplyDeleteI watched Titantic (the movie) in the cinema and on TV numerous times. I thought it was tragic although the movie made it look all rather romantic. It's interesting to know that you actually know people whose family and those who were on that ship!
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty tatted anchor there. :)
There have been many excellent cable TV (History Channel) and Public TV shows about the Titanic recently (including the building of the ship and her sisters, Olympic and Brittanic) and I have watched all of them!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing back in 1985 when the Woods Hole (Massachusetts) expedition finally 'found' her (a VERY emotional and moment)! Since then, with more (and always dangerous) dives, some of the mysteries are finally being unraveled I find all of these programs to be fascinating, and the photography and videos are spellbinding. Amazing technology to do this and with great effort by all concerned.
I admit that I'm a little wary of traveling on cruise ships and have never done so. DH and I DID get to go aboard the beautiful QE1 (launched in 1938) when it was a tourist attraction in Florida in 1969. I was in awe! Sadly, it met a sad fate, but the Queen Mary is still doing well in California. Magnificent ships and wonderful history.
Thanks for the great post! Excellent anchor design!
Very nice anchor! :)
ReplyDelete