Titanic Victims 'Dead Calm'

From the April 13, 2012, New York Post by Maureen Callahan.

On April 12, 2012, the centennial Titanic cruise docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia, so passengers could visit Fairview Cemetery where 121 victims are buried.

One of the graves at the cemetery was that of John Law Hume, the first violinist on the ill-fated ship who had a pregnant fiancee. As the ship began to sink, he said, "We're gonna just play a few tunes to keep peoples' spirits up." He died playing "Nearer My God to Thee."

Another one was that of Alma Paulson, 29-years old, from Sweden with her four children, ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 and on her way to America to meet her husband.

The Centennial Cruise had lunch at Halifax's Five Fishermen Restaurant, formerly the city mortuary where the recovered dead from the Titanic were taken. The survivors went to New York City.

One complaint on the cruise was the absence of Titanic-themed souvenirs (Titanic coal, however, can still be bought.) A blue Titanic hat with coal in it can be bought for $20.

Then the people on the cruise went to Halifax's Maritime Museum of the Atlantic which has a permanent exhibition of Titanic artifacts. Some of their items are a deck chair, pair of child's shoes, and pieces of a life jacket that may have belonged to New York millionaire John Jacob Astor.

Reliving the Event.

Is the Planned Titanic II Safe/Will It Succeed?-- Part 2

Owner Clive Palmer declined to say what it would cost. And, he has enough money.  In 2012, his estimated worth from mining was $795 million.

 Although the original Titanic was the world's largest ship, II will be considerably smaller than today's behemoth cruise ships.  It will be built in China, but the contract has not yet been signed.  Construction should begin this year and its first voyage will be trans-Atlantic in 2016, following the path of the original.

Cruise industry analyst Jaime Katz thinks the ship will have a hard time competing with existing cruise lines, but that it will be marketed to wealthier passengers and should vary its cruises from just Atlantic crossings.

Some will fear going on it because of superstition, but others, like me (albeit, not rich) will appreciate the historical  aspect of it.  And, it looks like a ship, like I said before.

Of interest, passengers will have 1912-era clothing in their cabins should they wish to dress up and really relive the past.

There will be three classes of passengers and Palmer is considering offering packages where people can experience all three.

Definitely a cruise I'd love to take, but probably couldn't afford.

Oh, Well, as Jamie Brockett Said.  --Cooter

Is the Planned Titanic II Safe/Will It Succeed?-- Part 1

From the March 1, 2013, Chicago Tribune "Planned Titanic called safe" by Jonathan Allen.

The blueprints of Australian Clive Palmer's Titanic II have been unveiled, but, he stopped short of calling it unsinkable.  Hey, nothing is unsinkable, as the original found out.

The new Titanic will largely recreate the old one's design and decor, but with modifications to keep in line with new safety practices and additional modern comforts such as air conditioning.  But one thing definite is that the three passenger classes will be prevented from mingling.

Palmer created his own ship company, calling it the Blue Star Line, a take on the original's owner, WhiteStar Line.  Unlike the original, however the II will have more than enough spaces on life boats and there will be additional escape staircases.  What they are making may well be the "safest cruise ship in the world."

At Least This Looks More Like a Ship, Not One of Those Floating Boxes That Pass As Cruise Ships Today.  --Cooter