Titanic International Society's Web Log

In the news- Audrey Pearl

titanicinternational — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:05:29 +0000

For article and photograph, please click on the following link.

www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Audrey-93-the-Lusitania39s-last.4015723.jp

TIS Mourns the Loss of Lusitania Survivor

titanicinternational — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:16:38 +0000

It is with profound sadness that TIS trustees have learned of the passing of Barbara W. McDermott. Calling hours are Tuesday, April 15th from 11:30-12:30 at the Clancy-Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Avenue, East Haven, CT followed by a memorial service at the Old Stone Church, 251 Main Street, East Haven

In a statement released by TIS today:

Barbara Winifred McDermott (nee Anderson), the last Lusitania survivor, living in America, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2008 around 10:30 p.m.

Her home was in Wallingford, Connecticut. She was the widow of Milton McDermott, mother of George McDermott and Elizabeth DeLucia, as well as grandmother and great grandmother. Her hobbies included gardening, crocheting, playing piano, and church.

She was born on June 15, 1912 in Derby Connecticut to Rowland and Emily (nee Pybus) Anderson. The family settled in Bridgeport as Mr. Anderson earned a living as a draughtsman at a factory in nearby New Haven. Mrs. Anderson found that she was pregnant with her second child and decided to visit her family in Darlington, England.

She booked passage on the Lusitania for her and Barbara for it’s May 1, 1915 voyage. Her husband was unable to join them due to work, but took them to the Cunard pier in New York City. Barbara, almost three years old, had scant memories of the fateful voyage.

“I remember standing beside my mother at the rail looking back at all the people on the pier. I tried to find my father in the crowd, but could not see him. I imagine he was there. The cabin we were in had the type of beds that were one on top of another. Our table was on the upper half of the charming dining saloon. It was a table for two and right by the railing. It also faced the corridor. Following lunch, on May 7, I got out of my chair and stood next to my mother and looked down through the railing at all those people having lunch at the long tables. Then the torpedo struck.”

Her mother’s account described a man who carried Barbara upstairs to the boat deck for her. This was Assistant Purser, William Harkness, who also helped lower the lifeboats and esaped with Mrs. Anderson and her daughter in boat 15. No sooner did the lifeboat begin to row away, the Lusitania began rolling over and sinking at the same time. The funnels shot out water and soot that covered the occupants of the lifeboat. Her only other memory was sitting facing her mother and being of the impression that they were lost as they were drifting about for a long time. They were eventually brought to Queenstown (now Cobh) Ireland and from there made their way to Darlington England. Her mother gave birth to a boy, Frank, in September 1915. The child lived till March 1916. Emily Anderson died March 22, 1917 of a TB related illness. It was blamed on her exposure in the open lifeboat.

Barbara continued to live in England till 1919, when her father sent for her. She arrived on the Lusitania’s sister ship, Mauretania on Christmas 1919. She settled back in Connecticut and was raised by her father and stepmother. Following her graduation, she married and worked for W.T. Grant department store. When it closed her final job was at the cemetery office in East Haven.

She did not speak about the sinking of the Lusitania until later in life. She often said, “No one believed me!”

She has granted numerous television and newspaper interviews in the past ten years and spoke at the Titanic International Society conventions in Newport, RI and Mystic, CT. Titanic International Society trustee Mike Poirier said about Barbara, “She will not be remembered just as a survivor of the Lusitania sinking, but as a dear friend.”

TIS Sends Greetings To BTS Convention

titanicinternational — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:06:21 +0000

Best Wishes for smooth sailing, good weather, and happy convention memories from your

TIS friends on the other side of the Great Pond!

Ocean Liner Council Awards Silver Riband to TIS Trustees

titanicinternational — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:46:53 +0000

“On February 11, 2008, the chairman of the Ocean Liner Council of the South Street Seaport Museum announced that John P. Eaton and Charles Haas will be the next Silver Riband Award Recipients. The award ceremony will be held at the museum on October 18, 2008 at 2 p.m. A special exhibit of Titanic artifacts culled from the museum’s collection will be assembled for this program”.

It is the desire of the Ocean Liner Council to celebrate and recognize the life’s work of John P. Eaton and Charles Haas and their long dedication to the perpetual history of the R.M.S. Titanic. Their scholarship, authorship of numerous periodicals and books, and significant enthusiasm for continuing exhibits, lectures and research, sets them apart in the realm of great ocean liner history.

“Previous recipients include Frank Braynard, Hisashi Noma, Bill Miller, Commodore Ronald Warwick, and John Maxtone-Graham”.

TIS Convention 2008 New York site online today

titanicinternational — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:47:20 +0000

Visit www.tisconvention2008.wordpress.com for continuing daily updates on the May 16-18 2008 convention.

Titanic in the News

titanicinternational — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 04:07:41 +0000

Titanic enthusiasts have called for the dismantling of Belfast’s Big Wheel in the grounds of city hall in time for the 96th anniversary of the tragedy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7167813.stm

Miss Dean to speak in April

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/latest/display.var.1943675.0.a_titanic_survivor.php

TIS notes passing of beloved maritime author

titanicinternational — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:00:40 +0000

Frank O. Braynard, Fellow of the Royal Society Born, Francis Osborn Braynard (1916 - 2007) in Glen Cove, New York author, artist, maritime historian. Along with Nils Hansell, Frank launched the world’s first Operation Sail extravanganza with tall ships and naval vessels sailing in New York city harbor in 1964. He was also chief organizer for OpSail 76.

Frank Braynard was also one of the creators of South Street Seaport, that is based on the lower east side, along the East River, in New York City. He died on December 10, 2007 at the age of 91. (NY Times Obituary)

Mr. Braynard worked with many noted ship historians, as well as being a prolific author. For some of his many titles in print visit this link:

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Frank%20O.%20Braynard&page=1

Convention 2008 New York City !

titanicinternational — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:35:20 +0000

Titanic International Society proudly presents…

Titanic International Society returns to New York City — with more Titanic sites than ever! — For an exciting weekend of learning and sharing. Join us as we visit new places, renew old friendships and make new ones, while enjoying world-renowned cultural attractions and hospitality! We’ve formally invited our British Titanic Society friends to join us, adding great new perspectives. The outline of our plans is below. But for the latest information and late changes, visit our website, www.titanicinternationalsociety.org, and click on the “Convention 2008” link which will be active on December 31st. There, you can book your hotel accommodations and your convention registration online (or use the form on the back of this flyer). Your trustees look forward to welcoming you!Our hotel is the beautiful Crowne Plaza Meadowlands, 2Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, New Jersey, just five miles west of Manhattan and easily reached by public transportation and from Newark-Liberty International Airport. Our special convention hotel rate of $139 per room per night, plus tax (15%) is less than half the typical in-city hotel rate and can be extended for up to six days, making a New York vacation very affordable.

The tentative program, at press time — subject to change:

Friday, May 16, 2008: Registration begins after noon.

Maritime memorabilia dealers will be on hand during the afternoon and evening, offering an enticing selection of deckplans, ship postcards and more. Back issues of Voyage will also be available. Find that perfect item for your steamship collection!

At 6:30, we gather for a welcoming reception, with endless hot hors d’oeuvres served by hotel staff, and a cash bar*.

As Friday’s highlight, Cdr. Paul-Henri Nargeolet presents a fascinating talk on the 2007 Carpathia expedition, illustrated with amazing views of the dozens of artifacts recovered. Dinner is on your own.

Saturday, May 17, 2008: We’re up early for a day of discovery. After breakfast*, we board coaches for a grand tour of New York’s Titanic sites. Among them are Nos. 1 and 9 Broadway, White Star’s offices; the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse, and more. Among the “new” stops: The rarely seen plaque to Titanic’s Dr. William F. N. O’Loughlin, just-discovered and spectacular Francis D. Millet murals, and a visit to Woodlawn Cemetery to pause at the graves of Archibald Gracie, Isidor and Ida Straus, Henry Sleeper Harper and others. Lunch* on your own will be at the South Street Seaport.

We’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon, in time for more memorabilia shopping — or a nap. Our gala banquet in the beautiful Crystal Room features your choice of four entrées. Our after-dinner speaker is Alan Ruffman, co-leader of efforts to identify the “Unknown Child,” who will bring us up-to-date on latest developments in a presentation both informative and moving. Our famous auction of maritime items to benefit TIS’s treasury will serve as the evening’s finale.

Sunday, May 18, 2008: After breakfast*, we’ll gather for our annual business meeting to learn about the Society’s plans, have our questions answered and offer suggestions to the trustees.

It’s a memorable weekend, with lots of “new” places to visit, and new friends to greet. See you there!

*Not included in convention package.

CONVENTION REGISTRATION

Please read carefully:

1. TIS will make financial commitments on your behalf based on your reservation instructions. We cannot provide refunds for non-attendance, unless the hotel cancels the entire convention due to an emergency or other unforeseen circumstance.

2. For the safety and enjoyment of others, those with special physical or other needs must advise the convention committee via the on-line or printed registration form so that a committee member may contact you and advise you further. We regret that some tour bus stops may not be accessible to those with mobility challenges.

3. Once they have been determined, details of the menu entrées will be published on our website. Please contact the convention committee via the “Contact Us” link on the TIS website no later than May 10, 2008 if your dinner selection must be changed after you have submitted your registration. 4. TIS cannot make hotel reservations for you or arrange for room sharing. Convention hotel rates ($139 per room per night) apply for a stay of up to six days and do not include state and local taxes of 15%.

5. DEADLINES: You must submit your registrations to TIS to arrive no later than Monday, April 21, 2008. Hotel registrations must be made by April 28, 2008. Registrations received after these dates can be accepted only on a space-available basis by TIS and by the hotel. Act now, while you remember! We suggest keeping a copy of your registration form.

OPTION ONE

Go to Titanic International Society’s website, www.titanicinternationalsociety.org. Click on the link “Convention 2008.” Using your credit card, book your hotel room directly with the Crowne Plaza Hotel or use this link to book roomhttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/advancedsearch?whichtype=room&roomResult=none&hotelCode=nycmd&quickRes=city&_GPC=SSC&checkInDate=12&checkOutMonthYear=042008&checkInMonthYear=042008&checkOutDate=21&_requestid=114113
and, then, using PayPal, you may select either of the pricing options shown in the form below for your convention registration.

OPTION TWO: POSTAL and TELEPHONE REGISTRATION

Make your own reservations with the hotel by calling 1-800-381-9553 and ask for the special rate for the Titanic International Society (group code - SSC) at the Secaucus Meadowlands Crowne Plaza. Be sure to get the name of the person with whom you speak and a confirmation number. Then fill out the form below and mail it to Convention 2008, c/o Robert Bracken, 47 VanBlarcom Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432-1852 USA with your check (in U. S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank, payable to“Titanic International Society”) for the full amount due. Please do not mail your registration form to TIS’s post office box as doing so will delay receipt of your instructions.

Mail-in convention registration form. (This form does not book a hotel reservation!)— Please PRINT clearly

Name _____________________________________________

E-Mail address __________________________________

Full mailing address_________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone number ( ) _________________________________ Best time to call _____________________________

Please print full names of others attending with you: _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

DINNER ENTREE SELECTION (Please enter quantities on each line.)

________ beef _________ chicken ________ fish ________ vegetarian

PRICING OPTIONS

_______ TOTAL CONVENTION PACKAGES @ $180 PER PERSON Total: $______

Includes registration/administration fee, reception hors d’oeuvres, bus tour of New York Titanic sites, convention banquet, gratuities for reception and banquet, all programs and activities, list of additional Titanic sites for visiting on your own. Does not include reception cash bar, any other meals, hotel room, taxes, items of a personal nature (hotel fitness center, Internet access, etc.) Save $25 per person over “a la carte” prices!

—OR—

INDIVIDUAL EVENT PRICING. (Enter quantities on lines at left.)

_______ Bus tour of Titanic sites@ $35 each Total: $______

_______ Cocktail reception (Friday) with Carpathia talk @ $50 each Total: $______

_______ Banquet (Saturday) with “Unknown Child” presentation @ $60 each Total: $______

_______ Registration fee for each attendee, in addition to fees above, @ $60 each Total: $______

TOTAL ENCLOSED: $______*

* Via check in U. S. dollars, drawn on U. S. bank, payble to “Titanic International Society.” Please do not send cash! Please advise if you or someone in your party has special dietary requirements.

Voyage 62 Coming Soon!

titanicinternational — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:08:31 +0000

Here are some of the stories that’ll be in this issue:

Resetting Titanic’s chronology: Early boats, early rockets

(This article, which questions the reported firing time of Titanic’s first distress rocket, will be published simultaneously by TIS and the British Titanic Society)

Sibling’s love survives fateful night

(Story of Titanic’s first-class passengers, Emma and Philipp Mock)

Leading Titanic auctioneer describes career’s highlights

(An interview with Andrew Aldridge)

My personal ‘titanic’ encounter

(Assigned to the maiden voyage of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, this crew member was in for a surprise!)

A new ‘theory’ on Titanic’s sinking? Pseudo-science at its best

(Could this really have contributed to the disaster??)

Lots more in this issue!!!

Barbara West Dainton dies at age 96

titanicinternational — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:44:38 +0000

The next-to-last survivor of the 1912 Titanic disaster has died in England, according to information received by the New Jersey-based Titanic International Society. Barbara West Dainton, 96, died Oct. 16, but word of her passing apparently was withheld at her request until after her funeral, held Nov. 5 at the cathedral in Truro, Cornwall. Barbara West was born in Bournemouth, England on May 24, 1911. On April 10, 1912, she and her family, father Edwy Arthur West, 36, a department store employee; her mother Ada Mary West, 33; and her sister Constance Miriam, 5, boarded Titanic at Southampton, England, traveling in second class. Four nights later, the world’s largest ship struck an iceberg and sank in two-and-a-half hours, with the loss of 1,523 passengers and crew.In perhaps her only public comments on the disaster, Ada West offered a brief account to a 1912 newspaper, now found on the website “Encyclopedia Titanica”:“We were all asleep when the collision took place, but were only jolted in our berths — my husband and children not even being awakened, and it was only the hurrying of passengers outside the cabin that caused alarm. The steward bade us all get up and dress thoroughly with plenty of warm things. Arthur placed lifebelts upon the children and then carried them to the boat deck. I followed carrying my handbag. After seeing us safely into the lifeboat Arthur returned to the cabin for a thermos of hot milk, and, finding the lifeboat let down he reached it by means of a rope, gave the flask to me, and, with a farewell, returned to the deck of the ship.”Barbara, her mother and sister, and some 702 others were rescued by the Cunard liner Carpathia and landed in New York. The family immediately returned to England aboard the White Star liner Celtic, and lived for a time with Mr. West’s brothers.Barbara married William Ernest B. Dainton in 1952, and lived in Truro, where she conducted tours of her hometown even when well-advanced in age. However, she steadfastly refused to speak of her Titanic experiences, and little is known of her life after the disaster. She was pre-deceased by her mother in 1953, her sister in 1963, and another sister, Edwina J., born in late 1912.Charles Haas, president of Titanic International Society in Freehold, NJ, said, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Barbara West Dainton. She was just 11 months old when she lost her father, and while she had no direct memories of that night, her life and those of her mother, sister and brother were forever changed.“The passage of more than 95 years since Titanic’s loss has brought us to the point where now just one survivor, 95-year-old Millvina Dean in England, remains. Our love and admiration for her are joined by the sincere hope that the world respects her privacy.“As we lose the direct personal links to history’s most famous ship, Titanic International Society believes the recovered Titanic artifacts assume an increasingly vital role in reminding us of the human beings who found themselves participants in the events of that tragic night.“We extend our sincere sympathy to Mrs. Dainton’s family and friends.”