On October 1st 2019, London based energy firm InfraStrata announces that it has bought Harland and Wolff for £6million, saving it from closure
The Daily Titanic
@titanic1912.bsky.social
My name's Paul and I've been studying and researching the Titanic for over 40 years. My website is http://www.paullee.com/titanic If you like my work and would like to help fund future research, please buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaullee
On October 1st, 1902, a new name for J.P.Morgan's massive shipping combine is revealed: formerly known as The "International Navigation Company", the new name of the company is announced as "International Mercantile Marine". It comprises six lines, including the White Star Line.
On September 30th, 1985 Dr Ballard writes that although he thinks raising the Titanic is "foolish" due to the cost and condition of the ship, he is in favour of salvaging artefacts and placing them in a museum.
On September 30th 1912, the final form of the Jack Phillips memorial in his home town of Godalming was publicised in the press. It would take the form of a cloister and would open on April 15th 1914.
On September 29 1910 UK newspapers start to make reference to a publicity pamphlet produced by the White Star Line, in which statistics of the Olympic and Titanic are referred. The document concludes, '...as far as it is possible to do so, these two wonderful vessels are designed to be unsinkable'
Raising a glass to my lost love. I'll never forget you Carly
On 27 September 1854 the liner SS Arctic collided with the SS Vestra in fog off Newfoundland. While the Vestra survived, the Arctic foundered, with a mad scrum for the 6 lifeboats by the men. Out of about 400 people aboard, only 61 crew and 24 male passengers survive. No women or child survived.
Carly's mum has just told me that she was born at 23.17 44 years ago tonight. Please raise a glass in her memory.
On September 25 1912, the Olympic became embroiled in a storm. According to Boots Steward Joseph Chapman (writing to fellow Titanic survivor Kate Buss Willis), "a large wave broke 3 ports in the saloon just as we were going to lunch and washed the saloon clean out and raced down to two decks below"
On 24th September 1916, HMHS Britannic departs Southampton on her fourth voyage to the Mediterranean.
On September 24 1915 the Olympic, designated T2810 left Liverpool on her first troop transport mission to Mudros with some 6000 people. En route she stopped to pick up 34 survivors of the French steamer "Provincia", the Olympic's Captain earning a rebuke for stopping his ship with U-Boats nearby.
On September 23rd, 1979, the TV movie "SOS Titanic" premieres on the US ABC TV network. The movie is shown in flashback format over two nights and is approximately 140 minutes in length. A 109 minute version for commercial and theatrical release is edited into chronological form.
On September 22 2007 a key belonging to ex-second officer David Blair is auctioned for £90,000. The key has a tag labelled "Crows Nest Telephone" and the press opined that this was cause of the disaster. This doesn't explain why a key to the telephone box should prevent access to the binoculars.
On September 22 2010 Louise Patten's book "Good As Gold" is published. Patten's book is based partially on stories told to her by her grandmother, Sylvia Lightoller, the widow of the Titanic's 2nd officer. However the book contains so many falsehoods about the Titanic that it is easily dismissed
On September 22 1911 the Olympic's crew were offered 3 days pay. They declined and claimed for the time they were expected to be at sea. Total claims amounted to £4758 but failed because the ship was unfit to proceed and its passenger certificate had been surrendered soon after the collision
On 21st September 1858 Edward J Harland, a shipyard manager at Robert Hickson's shipbuilding facility accepts Hickson's offer to sell him his company for £5,000. Just over a month later, on November 1st, 'Edward James Harland and Company' is created.
On 21 September 1987 it was revealed that the French salvage team had discovered a new hole on the wreck leading to speculation that the sinking was caused by an explosion. However, the hole, caused by impact with the seabed, is above the waterline and couldn't have contributed to the sinking.
On September 20 1912, it is announced that all future crossings of the Olympic are cancelled and on her return will be go to Harland and Wolff for a six month overhaul, including improving her safety features by raising her watertight bulkheads and double bottom (to form a double hull).
On September 20th 1907, Harland and Wolff placed an order with William Arrol and Co. of Glasgow for large gantries to build the two huge leviathans. The cost was £140,000. The first intimation of the order was given in the press 7 days before.
On 20th September 1911 the Olympic, outbound on her fifth crossing, draws the cruiser HMS Hawke into her side by her huge wash. The Olympic's voyage is cancelled and limps back to Southampton. Both ships would require extensive repairs.
My wife died a month ago and it has got only a little bit easier. Her funeral is in 6 days time. I hit rock bottom a fortnight ago. I can't go into details here. The wonderful staff at the nearby charity shop have given me a few weeks worth of food. Sadly I've learned who my real friends are.
On September 19th, 1937, her fittings auctioned two years previously and her superstructure demolished, the hulk of the Olympic is towed to Inverkeithing for final scrapping, arriving two days later.
On 19th September 1901 the SS Mount Temple undergoes her trials and later in the day she embarks on her maiden voyage from the Tyne to New Orleans.
Having proven impossible to repair the propeller which had lost a blade 5 days previously, when the Olympic leaves Southampton for New York on the 18th September 1912, she travels at the lower speed of 17.67 knots to reduce vibration, arriving a day late on the 26th
On September 17 1999, Southampton jeweller Kim Webb was found guilty of trying to defraud pensioner Lela Hughes over a silver pocket watch that had been given to Titanic crewman Alfred Crawford by the Countess of Rothes. Webb bought the watch cheap and removed the inscription, devaluing the watch
On September 17 2011 a gold necklace salvaged from the wrecksite and likely belonging to survivor Eleanor Widener, was stolen from an exhibition in Copenhagen; the case had not been broken into and the alarm had not activated. The necklace was valued at about $18,750. It has not been recovered.
On 17th September 1908, Harland and Wolff give orders for their engineering works to proceed with preparations for the construction of the Olympic and Titanic (yard numbers 400 and 401).
On 16th September 1993 Titanic lookout Fred Fleet's previously unmarked grave at Hollybrook Cemetery, Southampton received a headstone. Present are members of the Titanic Historical Society and British Titanic Society, who dedicate the stone.
A new book out, in time for Halloween: Ghosts of the Titanic Amazon links are: UK: link.amazon/B05IpAdYv US: link.amazon/B05dC2JyT
