Monthly Archives: December 2012

Titanic, Titanic 2012

Friday Titanic News

1. The Times & Star (UK) is reporting of a plan to erect a Titanic memorial to inform visitors of Maryport’s Titanic link. The idea came from a resident discussing ways to spend a £10,000 grant given to boost town centres. The plaque will be erected next to the Factory Shop in Senhouse Street. Bruce Ismay, White Star Line owner, was from Maryport.

Source: Times & Star, Titanic Memorial Planned For Maryport, 7 Dec 2012

2. Pendletoday (U.K.) is reporting on a call to support Colne’s The Titanic in Lancashire Museum which recently put binoculars presented to Carpathia Captain (and Titanic survivor rescuer) Aruther Rostron up for sale on eBay. The museum is under severe financial stress and is forced to sell to cover costs. Museum curator Nigel Hampson is hoping for donations and possibly a sponsor to held meet their needs. Further information how to donate at Titanic in Lancashire Museum.

Source: pendletoday.co.uk, Titanic Museum In Colne Needs Support, 7 Dec 2012

Update:

1. Anna Marie D’angelo writes approvingly in The Vancouver Sun (Canada) of Titanic Belfast. She visited in August and found it worth seeing. She also has tips on making reservations for Titanic Belfast. Also remember to pack rain gear even in summer!

Source: Vancouver Sun, Titanic Belfast Is An Immense Hit, 7 Dec 2012

 

Holidays

Today is Pearl Harbor Day

remember-dec-7

On 7 Dec 1941, just a few minutes before 8:00 a.m., aerial forces of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in two waves. 3,500 men were killed or wounded, 18 ships sunk or damaged including all 8 battleships of Pacific Fleet. 350 aircraft were destroyed or damaged in the attack. Fortunately all three aircraft carriers were out at sea (they were the prize targets) and thus undamaged.

The attack galvanized the nation like no other time. Political foes joined together in supporting President Roosevelt’s call for declaration of war. In concluding his speech to joint session of Congress he said:

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.  I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the People when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.  Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding determination of our People – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.  I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941 a state of War has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Take time to remember today those who died on this day, remember in your thoughts those who survived and families of the fallen.

Check out pearlharbor.org for more information.


Holidays

Today is the Feast of St.Nicholas, the real Santa Claus

St. Nick is often used as another name for Santa Claus but in truth Nicholas is the original. St_ NicholasBorn in the third century a.d., Nicholas became well known for his charity to children and others. He was imprisoned by the Romans and beaten. He never renounced his faith. Later when released when Constantine became emperor, he continued his life serving God and his faith. He lived to be a very old man dying on 6 December 343. Stories of his charity to children and others spread and long after his death people still revered him with churches built in his name. Stories of miracles attributed to him emerged as well.

The Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches all have his feast day on their calendars (those using the Julian calendar celebrate it on 19 December). The Roman Catholic Church did not strip him of being a saint. Until 1968, every saint had a feast day that had to be celebrated in every diocese. What they did was make certain feast days optional and allow each diocese to decide whether to celebrate it or not. St. Nicholas is an optional feast day so it is up to the diocese to decide.

Stories of a mythical gift giver (often from pagan beliefs like forest elves that leave presents for nice kids) became popular in many European countries and were imported to the U.S. Various aspects from German, Dutch, and English were blended to create the character–the commercial character–of Santa Claus. There is no connection between St. Nicholas and the modern day character that lives in the North Pole, has flying reindeer, and elves to make toys. Santa Claus is a purely secular and even by some standards a pagan creation with no connection to St.Nicholas or Christianity. Remember that when someone says Santa Claus ought to be banned because is based on a religious figure.

For further information about St.Nicholas, go to Saint Nicholas Center.

By the way, there is a resurgence in celebrating the feast day. Usually children get treats (in stockings or boots) and often kicks off the Christmas season.

So what do you think? Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas?

Titanic, Titanic Miscellaneous

Tuxedo Historical Society To Raffle Off Steiff Titanic Bear And Book

The Tuxedo Historical Society will be raffling off a collectible “Polar, The Titanic Bear” produced by the Steiff Company in Germany. According to Times Herald-Record:polar-the-titanic-bear-steiff-682087-s

“Polar” has special significance for the Tuxedo community: Tuxedo Park residents Daisy and Frederic Spedden and their young son Douglas were aboard Titanic on that fateful voyage. On the night of the disaster, Polar, a beloved Steiff bear purchased at FAO Schwarz, was tucked under little Douglas’s arm as the Speddens were lowered down the side of Titanic into a life boat. After the survivors were swung up the side of the rescue ship, Polar was forgotten in the empty lifeboat until a sailor found him and returned him to Douglas.In a 1913 manuscript intended as a Christmas gift for Douglas, Daisy Spedden told this remarkable story through the eyes of Polar.The original manuscript was found decades later by Leighton Coleman, a Spedden relative, in a trunk of family memorabilia about to be discarded. In 1994, Coleman published the manuscript as a book, “Polar, the Titanic Bear,” which went on to win several awards for outstanding children’s literature.

The Steiff bear is 2012 limited edition North American white tag (only 1500 produced). Raffle tickets are $10 and available through Tuxedo Historical Society. The raffle takes place on 9 Dec at the society’s annual Fair Trade Holiday Craft Sale. The drawing will take place on Sunday at 3pm. You do not need to be present to win.

Source: Times Herald-Record, Tuxedo Historical Society To Raffle Steiff Titanic Bear, Book, 4 Dec 2012


Titanic

Belfast & Southampton Win Port Awards

I had no idea that awards for best ports existed, but it seems they do. The web site Cruise Critic has just awarded its 2012 Editors Picks. Belfast was named best UK port of call and Southampton best UK departure point.

The international panel, made up of cruise journalists, said: ‘Belfast has regained its former glory thanks to the ship that for many years defined its decay.”On Southampton, the website explained: ‘We acknowledge the approach to Southampton is not as iconic as that of New York, but this year, the port excelled in two stand-out events – Cunard’s Three Queens [the meeting of the Queen Victoria, the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth] and P&O’s Grand Event, showing it can handle a large number of ships with ease.’

A record number of 43 cruise ships docked in Belfast this year largely due to Titanic centenary. Of course they are quite pleased with the news in Belfast. Tony McAuley, Commercial Officer at Belfast Harbour said to Daily Mail “We are delighted that the substantial investment made in recent years in providing world class tourism facilities in Belfast and Northern Ireland, such as Titanic Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre, is recognised and appreciated by the international cruise community.”

100 year on Titanic still is effecting things.

Source: Daily Mail, Titanic Win For Belfast And Southampton As Cities Linked To Liner Scoop Best Port Awards,4 Dec 2012


Titanic, Titanic Exhibitions

Titanic Exhibition At Merseyside Maritime Museum Extended To 2014

The Titanic Exhibition at Merseyside Maritime Museum (U.K.) has done so well they have extended it to 2014. According to Liverpool Daily Post:

Jubilant bosses at Merseyside Maritime Museum have announced they will extend the Liverpool Titanic exhibition from April next year until 2014, after visitors reach the half million mark. They had hoped for a total of 450,000 visitors during the 12-month run of Titanic and Liverpool: the Untold Story, which opened on March 30. But that figure has already been exceeded, with 498,475 people coming through the doors up to last weekend – an average of 2,077 a day. That compares favourably with some of the largest visitor attractions in the UK, including 323,897 visitors to The National Gallery’s Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, and 460,000 for Tate Modern’s recent Damien Hirst show.

Further information at Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Source: Liverpool Daily Post, Record-Beating Titanic Exhibition Extended At Merseyside Maritime Museum,30 Nov 2012