The Titanic

by Melanie

“Not even God himself could sink this ship,” said the Employee of the White Star Line, at the launch of the Titanic, May 31, 1911.

Well as we all know, He obviously can. And I’m going to tell you the story.

 

People on the Titanic

First class had 337 people. If all the money of the people in first class added together would be $500, 000, 000 .00. 271 people were in the second class and third class had 712! These people came from Finland, Ireland, England, China, France and much more. In first class were some of he richest people. John Jacob Astor was the richest man on board worth more than 75 million dollars (now worth over one billion dollars). He traveled with his pregnant bride, Madeline. There was also Charles Guggenheim who’s family owned the copper mines all over the world. There was also Ida and Isidor Straus, founders of the Macy’s department store. Another rich passenger was Mrs. Charlotte Cardeza. She came with 14 trunks, 4 suitcases, 3 crates, and one medicine chest with 70 dresses, 10 fur coats, and 91 pairs of gloves. 

 

The Voyage

Before noon on April 10, 1912 the Titanic was launched from Southampton. A few tugboats showed the Titanic into the ocean. 60 passengers cancelled their reservations including Mr. And Mrs. George Vanderbilt, one of the most wealthiest and famous couples in America. One of their servants stayed to watch over their luggage. The Titanic also left behind some crewmembers like some firemen who worked in the boiler room. They stayed a little too long in the bar.

 

The Cabins

The first class cabins were the largest and best. They cost from $1500 to $4500 (Only the rich passengers could afford these cabins). Second class cabins were much simpler. They cost anywhere from $65 dollars and higher. Third class passengers paid $36.25 for the smallest and simplest cabins.

 

The Crew

Captain Edward J. Smith was the proud captain of the Titanic. There were also 900 other crewmembers. There were the stokers, firemen, and trimmers. These people worked down in the boiler room. There were the lookouts, and radio operators. Those were probably the most important jobs. To provide services for all passengers there were also stewards and stewardess. They were all responsible for some cabins that they were assigned to. The first class stewards might have eight cabins at one time, when second-class stewards have up to twenty! Some other jobs are bellboys, clothes pressers, doctors, nurses, post-office workers, gym instructors, janitors, waiters and cooks.

 

The Crash

It had 2208 passengers including the crew. There were 16 lifeboats and 4 collapsible boats and they could hold 1100 people. On April 15, the lookout saw the iceberg and informed the bridge. If he had informed them fifteen seconds earlier then the boat would have not crashed. They tried to turn the boat but didn’t do it in time.  The boat swerved away from the iceberg and everyone thought they were safe. The bridge thought that it was just a small scrape and nothing to worry about. Of course we all know that they had a lot to worry about. Collapsible D left the ship. It was now 2:05 A.M. more than 1,500 people were still aboard. The Titanic Unsinkable sank on April 15, 1912 at 2:20 A.M.

 

The Amazing Find

 

After 73 years a team, led by Jean-Louis Michel, recorded the first images of the Titanic on 01 September 1985. Thanks to its side scan sonar and video cameras, the pilotless underwater tow sled, named Argo, recorded the first images of the Titanic ; the image of a blue-shaded boiler. There was six times, in 1987, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000, when people went down in the water to find artifacts from the wreckage. More than 800 objects were recovered. Among those were jewelry, letters, as well as plates and silverware from the White Star Line. The Titanic rests 3,800 meters below the surface. That’s 12 Eiffel towers!

 

I pray that God was with all the people that lost loved ones on this horrible tragedy. I hope that all who perished died very peacefully and that they knew where they were going. At least now all ships have to have enough lifeboats for all people aboard. I think that if the Titanic had not sank then we still would not have enough lifeboats for all aboard. So if you think about it, everything happens for a reason.