Days 7/8 - April 16/17th - Final Days At Sea

"One spectacular image after another from Ken Marschall's presentation drew us deep into TITANIC both on the bottom of the Atlantic, as well as from the studio sets built in Rosarito Beach, Mexico."

Photo: Chronicle / Michael Maloney

Monday and Tuesday went by all too quickly as we made our way back to New York. The continued warm sunshine brought many outside to enjoy the delightful weather.  Guests were swimming in the exterior pool, sunbathing, soaking in the Jacuzzis.


It was these last couple of days when we were entranced by more of Bill Miller's wonderful presentations, this time on the history of Cruise Ships, and the long awaited talks by Ken Marschall. Although he claimed he was not a public speaker, this immensely talented artist managed brilliantly to share his journeys down to TITANIC, including a mesmerizing photo tour inside the great liner.  He further earned the rapt attention of everyone in the room as he also took us on an intimate walk through the incredibly detailed sets created for James Cameron’s film TITANIC. 

Ken shared his own love of all things TITANIC, admitting he was himself a “rivet counter” - the nickname reserved for fans so enthusiastic that they literally know every nth detail of the doomed liner down the the very rivets.  And thank God he was, as it was his extreme interest that pushed him forward to collect a massive wealth of materials and network with other TITANIC experts, such as Walter Lord, famed author of the main book that infected so many of us A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. It was this infatuation that encouraged his amazing career.


It was Ken’s interest in re-creating TITANIC in a painting that first called upon his artistic skills once a previous attempt at a balsa wood model of TITANIC turned out too inaccurate to satisfy this rivet counter. Ken talked about how he was eventually contacted by film studios as the “kid” who had encyclopedic knowledge of TITANIC, launching a new path of consulting, then matte painting, then beautiful illustrated “coffee table” books.  


Ken shared how it was his book with Don Lynch TITANIC AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY which was used by James Cameron, in essence, to pitch his blockbuster film TITANIC to the studios. Cameron’s goal was to literally recreate dozens of Ken’s paintings in the film.  We were shown projected comparisons of illustrations vs film stills that were remarkable.  

Ken confessed that he had actually heard about Cameron’s plans to make a film of the White Star Liner and placed a call to the production company. According to Ken, when he introduced himself and mentioned his book, the reply was that Cameron was about to contact him! Fate had already been sealed and from that point on Ken Marschall became a primary consultant and participant in the overall design and accuracy of the sets and models built. Ken had previously worked with Cameron briefly as a matte artist on TERMINATOR and both shared an exacting style and attention to extreme detail. 


One spectacular image after another from Ken Marschall's presentation drew us deep into TITANIC both on the bottom of the Atlantic, as well as from the studio sets built in Rosarito Beach, Mexico.

Photo: Walt Disney Productions - Ghosts of the Abyss

Several fascinating facts surfaced about TITANIC and the explorations.  One little tidbit answered a question I had for years about the little tethered ROV’s that explored deep into the bowels of TITANIC, beaming back high definition video. I wondered how the custom bots named JAKE and ELWOOD managed to follow their path back out of the ship so that the optical cables did not get tangled.  To my surprise, Ken explained how each ROV had a 2000 foot spool of optical fibers that wound out then literally dissolved in water over time. The vehicles could wind their way up, down and in between, like threading a needle or going through a maze. They would then come out the other side of TITANIC. When done,  the bot would be retrieved, the optical fiber cut, and the now “used” cable would simply disintegrate.  


Images in staterooms showed these strange angled ‘gravestone” looking items that jutted out at oblique angles. These turned out to be the mirrors that fell from disintegrated wardrobes.  Glasses and pitchers were still sitting on surfaces, virtually untouched. How could they not be lifted up and tossed about as TITANIC flooded and sank? It appears that these items must have been filled with water before the ship went down. Maps and passenger lists can identify who was in a specific cabin and Ken pointed out the very name of a woman who must have grabbed a quick drink of water before heading out of her cabin, leaving her glass in the very same spot to be discovered nearly 100 years later. 

Other photos showed an almost pristine Turkish Bath deep within TITANIC. Illustrations showed the layout of the room which chillingly put each of us right there in a now familiar place. A box with multiple drawers used by passengers to store their personal effects lay on it’s side. The fact that rusticles faced sideways, versus down, illustrates that this box used to be vertically mounted on a wall and must have only just fallen recently. TITANIC is slowly rotting and falling apart. Another image shows a fruit bowl trapped between the slanted railings of a 3rd class stairwell, no doubt a random item swirling around in the currents as TITANIC sank. More descriptions included differences between the Cameron stage sets and the real ship. 


This was all endlessly fascinating and still surreal as it was all so intimately connected to where we had been, the history of this liner, and the magnitude of such a terrible tragedy. 

On a brighter note, it was confirmed to me by Cruise Director Tony Markey that I would have a morning slot to read excerpts from my new play 41N 50W based on the 1912 TITANIC Senate Hearings. This adaptation is based on, and uses the real words of, key individuals immediately following the sinking. Rather than present the typical well known tale of what happened on TITANIC, 41N 50W tells the story from the unique perspective of those trying to find out the truth of what had happened that night, cutting through endless mis-information, confusion, and often sheer incompetence. Designed specifically to be read by actors on stage with scripts, this play is simple to present and relies on projected visual images of actual individuals and places to set the scenes. 


I had Bill Miller and the Cruise Director’s wife Christine Markey as two of my five characters.  I took on the role of Senator William Alden Smith and two other gents, Wayne Smith and James Holzhner, graciously volunteered for the reading. Thank you to everyone for such an excellent job!  


 I was more than thrilled that the audience was most appreciative of the work and wanted to hear more.  Several approached asking where this play was going to be presented and a few others offered cards saying that they had friends associated with various theaters that may be interested.  I am not necessarily counting on these leads turning into staged productions, but the very fact that there were these inquiries was extremely encouraging.

A huge crowd was gathered by the pool deck so that an entire group photo could be taken. Period costumes were encouraged and there was a joyous energy as new found friends all shared with each other, exchanging information for future contacts. 


That last night there was almost a frenzied feeling as folks tried to get last minute signatures in these beautiful hard cover illustrated books that were available for purchase to commemorate this voyage.  Others had collectible diaries used for signatures. 


A typical sadness sets in as any cruise, vacation, or special event draws to a close. It all seems to go by so quickly.  For some unknown reason here was this group of people drawn to TITANIC, to be on the very spot exactly 100 years later. Most of us along had  some deep need to participate directly, to re-create, internalize or understand as closely as possible the experience of those whose lives changed or ended that frigid morning of April 15, 1912 in the darkness. Perhaps there are no logical explanations. Maybe, as one guest implied, it goes far deeper into a spiritual or paranormal connection. 

Author with Guest Lori McLorn

No matter what the reason, I think it would be fair to say that every single one of us who experienced this amazing opportunity to be on this 100th Anniversary Memorial voyage to TITANIC have been changed. In some way there is a difference inside for the rest of our lives. For me, this unforgettable voyage is something that I will carry with me until my last breath.


Next update will wrap up the voyage with some more photos, then off in New York for a special opening night of a dear friend’s Off-Broadway debut of her one woman show. Then, it's homeward bound.  

Day 5 - Part II April 14/15th 2012 - TITANIC Collision, Sinking & Memorial

"The BALMORAL was ablaze with lights a few hundred yards away from us. You could look at this other ship and image what TITANIC may have looked like, the reflections in the water"

As darkness set in it was still quiet around the ship. The central pool area was cleared of all deck chairs and tables to make room for the night’s memorial. I gathered some very warm layers, hat, gloves, and scarf and wandered about a bit. Many eyes were scanning the horizon for BALMORAL to appear and this continued in the black that now surrounded us. I sat in the forward observation lounge, Looking Glass, with floor to ceiling windows, chatting with a lovely couple from Fullerton, California when we could make out what looked like a tiny star in front of us. This bluish white twinkling light bobbed rather noticeably up and down, most likely the BALMORAL approaching from the West.  Instantly conversation turned to speculation about how far away this ship was and if this is what the “mystery ship” may have looked like in 1912 to TITANIC. It is still a topic of debate whether or not the non responsive CALIFORNIAN was that unknown vessel.

I felt compelled to keep checking my iphone clock to see where we were on the timeline. As we approached 11:25pm I was thinking that it was around this time that the CALIFORNIAN wireless operator Cyril Evans was listening to transmissions from Cape Race for TITANIC, only 10 minutesbefore he put down his headset and went to bed, a mere 5 minutes before TITANIC would collide with fate.

BALMORAL was looming larger and larger and within moments the Captain made a chilling announcement that it was exactly 11:40pm, 100 years to the minute that TITANIC struck the iceberg.  In my mind a running countdown began to tick, marking how much time was left. I wanted to get a sense of what would have been happening as events unfolded. What would it have felt like that night in relation to what people did and how quickly or slowly would time have passed.


It is said that the first distress call C.Q.D. did not go out until 12:10am, 30 minutes after the incursion. For us, the night air was cold, as described in 1912. You could see your breath if up on the top deck.  People clustered next to doors and in alcoves to find some temporary warmth.  The BALMORAL was ablaze with lights a few hundred yards away from us. You could look at this other ship and image what TITANIC may have looked like, the reflections in the water, the dark sky. 

We had a partially overcast night to start, but as the evening went on the clouds would part and there would be a blanket of stars above us.  I imagined that during these 30 minutes TITANIC was already experiencing serious flooding, the mail room was already compromised and the lower front decks were filling quickly. Watertight doors were coming down. Some already knew the serious nature of what had happened. Many would still be asleep, others would be coming up on deck to see what was going on.  Just on our ship, more people wandered about, but no crowds.  Azamara Journey was solid under our feet and at this time TITANIC would have still felt just as steadfast.

An announcement was made at 12:10am, 30 minutes later, marking the time the first CQD was transmitted and a communications officer on our ship recreated the actual signal which was broadcast throughout our ship. Rather than the Hollywood crisp sound effects, this electric static buzzing with gaps, dots and dashes was chilling to hear. Stunning how long it took after the collision for this  cry of help to go out.

As time moved on I could see in my mind's eye as lifeboats would be prepared and dropped with more and more people gathering on deck, bundling up in the cold, right here at this very spot, or relatively close as there is a general consensus that reported positions may have been slightly off. In reality, TITANIC would no doubt have drifted in the current some appreciable distance to end up more or less at the spot where we were, directly above the boilers or ground zero on the map.

There were several moments where I would look over the railing down at the water, still beneath us without movement, as it was. The lights of our ship reflecting off the surface. This would have been the view seen 100 years ago. The very sensations of being out on deck at this spot and under this sky.

12:20am on the clock - from this point there would have been two hours left.  How serious was it now on TITANIC? Most likely more activity, questioning, crowds gathering. So many would look out into the darkness and see those small boats drifting away and it must have seemed absurd to leave the solid platform of TITANIC.

On Azamara in the main lounge hundreds gathered at names of the victims were read. On an oddly designed checkerboard screen a large photo of TITANIC was projected and  in the center a name would briefly appear as it was announced. Then another. And another, and another, another, another into a seemingly endless list. Some names popped up that were familiar from popular history, but most unknown loved ones, husbands, mothers, entire families. An absurd reality as a few selected names were common and were names of friends today, but of course no connection. There were simply so many, over 1,500 lost that there were bound to be dozens of names that echoed to others in the crowd. Sobering. Sadness. 

Back up on deck, people milling about. The minutes ticking down and stinging awareness of how terrifying it must have now started to feel on TITANIC. The front portion of the ship would be much more under water and a list and tilt much more noticeable. I looked across at BALMORAL transferring TITANIC into her position.

Then 1:30AM came quickly. TITANIC would now only have 50 more minutes until it’s final plunge. Waves of emotions rocked me. Everything became surreal. What could these people be thinking at this point, not knowing how much time was left. Everything was becoming so much more of an urgency, more frantic, the battles over who got into lifeboats and who didn’t. The realization that TITANIC was slipping out underneath them and their only salvation was in these tiny boats.  And the cold was burning after being outside so long.  My toes were icy, my cheeks numb. How could these people manage, looking back at the ship, stepping away from the comfort and warmth, not believing what they were seeing? 

1: 53am - 27 Minutes left. From this point in time, it would still be a little over two hours before CARPATHIA would arrive on the scene. I do not know the timeline as well as the experts do, but I would imagine that the most horrific part of the break up, the explosions, snapping of cables, crashing, one of the Funnels breaking loose and crashing down on those struggling. This was all happening, or beginning to happen around this point.


As we reached 2:00am the small stage on the outer pool deck was buzzing with activity. Suddenly the deck was covered with people. They came from nowhere, gathering. Just as the crowds began to scramble on deck in those final moments described by so many. Perhaps not only just steerage passengers who had to fight their way out from the bowels of TITANIC, but many may

 have stayed inside for the warmth until the last possible moment until the angle and motion of the foundering ship became too much.  This would be the time to scramble for your life.  Feeling the air this night, that would not have been an unreasonable supposition.

A benediction began with prayers, echoed back by the Azamara Journey Guests, the final moments were taken then with a Wreath laying ceremony dropped off the port side of the ship.


Soon it was 2:10am, then quickly came 2:15am. Here we stood on the very spot as the most horrific nightmare befell every person involved. The extreme violence of disaster, crushing, breaking, twisting, the sounds of terrified screams, those in the boats watching their loved ones die only yards away and unable to do anything.

It was 2:20AM the time of TITANIC's death. Gasping final moments for those who clung desperately to what remained of TITANIC as she tilted more onto her port side, dumping frightened victims into the icy water. She then slid underneath, washing others overboard, taking so many down with her and leaving hundreds thrashing on the surface. BALMORAL blasted her horn across the water.  Azamara Journey blasted her horn - long - heartbreaking. The string orchestra stood in a row, poised before silently walking to the center stage area. Then they began “Nearer My God To Thee”. You could hear so many openly weeping. Here we all were at this

moment in time, 100 years later at this very hallowed location, remembering all those souls as part of an historic tragedy that would forever change history and maritime law.

(Gouache on Board/Lithograph)

After the music played, the lights were simply dimmed and the stage went dark.  Most stood in stunned silence for a moment then quietly went away.  Lingering crowds gathered to chat, to thank the Captain and priest, the musicians, to take photos and to find some comfort with new found friends who shared this uncanny connection.

Although everyone was walking away and it was now around 2:40am, this would have been the most horrific time of all that early morning of now April 15th.  It would have been at this very moment that the lifeboats lingered while the mass cries and moans of the dying would fill the star lit sky. A swath of humanity would be slowly freezing to death, giving in to the numbing cold; giving up; praying for peace to come quickly.

 A crystal clear night of stars then appeared.  You could see the center of the milky way itself.  A glow to the east looked like the northern lights, which did not make any sense. Soon, a waning crescent moon rose about the low level distant clouds, reflecting a silver path across the water.

BALMORAL slowly began to drift further away and we made our way inside to the comfort and warmth. This was all almost too much to take in.  It was now almost 3:00am and it would be another hour before CARPATHIA would arrive.  We could protect ourselves in the lounge of a liner today, but those that were in the lifeboats 100 years ago had no escape. I cannot begin to imagine what they must have suffered. They had no idea that CARPATHIA would be there and the massive preparations that were going on to meet them and bring salvation.

I purposely wanted to stay awake to continue to experience the timeline of what happened.  A few of us were still in the lounge talking, reflecting, discussing what would have been going on at this juncture. We noted when it was 4:00am, the time of CARPATHIA's arrival on the scene, still dark outside. It was also at this time that it felt like Azamara Journey began to move again, or at least pick up speed to head away from this special place.

By 4:15am I started to notice a reflection in the window of the lounge that I thought came from internal lights. But a moment later I realized it was the light bluish shape of clouds in the sky as dawn was just barely breaking. We headed out on deck and I had to take a breath as I remembered the words of Captain Rostron as he described seeing many more of the lifeboats in the area, surrounded by ice as the early light of day illuminated the area.  Here I was looking out at these very waters at to the east the very early dusky twilight was, indeed, giving full view across the water to the horizon.  The glow slowly got brighter while it was still dark to the west.  It would have been at this time that the first survivors would be coming aboard CARPATHIA.  She would have everyone aboard, recover many of the lifeboats, and leave the scene around 8:30 am, four hours later, just as the CALIFORNIAN was arriving.

Witnesses on both ships, including MOUNT TEMPLE who also arrived across the ice floes in the area, and other ships stated emphatically that hardly any wreckage nor bodies were found. MOUNT TEMPLE did not know that TITANIC had actually gone under. It was several days later when passing ships would encounter a gruesome scene of hundreds of bodies and wreckage. There is still debate and discussion, but the ice had most likely gathered and hidden the bodies on the surface, much like cranberries floating on water being pushed aside.

Exhausted and drained, I finally got some sleep, my mind reeling from this experience.

Day 4 - Apr 13 - Formal Nights, Last Suppers & History

"As the sun set over the north atlantic preparations were underway for tonight’s Formal event - Last Dinner on TITANIC where the restaurant re-created the final menu as served in First Class."

It is my hope to create a sense of what it is actually like day to day on this voyage. To capture a feeling of the growing anticipation and energy of this so very strange gathering. By now, everyone has settled into a very comfortable mode. People are especially friendly, not only because of the mutual interst of why everyone is aboard this special charger, but also due to the intimate size of the Azamara Journey. Certainly this is a vast difference when compared to a mega ocean liner such as Queen Mary 2.  At every turn there are now familiar faces and new acquaintances.


On these full days at sea everyone can take advantage of the wealth of knowledge imported by the various experts on board.  Today has been a series of multiple talks and lectures packed with fascinating facts, information and history. 


The first talk this morning was just on collecting TITANIC books. My initial reaction was how much can one say about collecting books, but the presentation was fascinating spanning over 100 years of writings on this history of TITANIC from pre-launch construction profiles to dozens of biographies of survivors, analysis and renderings of that tragic “Night to Remember” forward to Ken Marschall’s spectacular art and other contemporary works. 

With only a short break to grab a cup of tea was a new topic by Cunard Historical Society Charman John Langley on one of the most important, yet under appreciated elements connected with TITANIC. John presented an in depth background into the life of the Cunard liner CARPATHIA and her heroic Captain Henry Rostron. Over the past century very little has been brought out about the one ship that actually rescued all of the surviving passengers and crew. 


Next came a dual talk by Brigitte Saar and Gunter Bäbler on Icebergs and the search to determine which was the very berg that collided with TITANIC. Supported by stunning photographs taken in Greeland of glaciers and icebergs in the massive flow of ice that slowly makes its way southward. Apparently it can be over a three year journey for an iceberg from the arctic down into the North Atlantic shipping lanes.  


Further details provided forensic evidence from vintage postcards and accounts to present day scientific research that strongly suggests and identifies a photo of the very iceberg culprit.  This talk was wrapped up with some spectacular preview images by artist Gerry Hofstetter of projections made onto the side of huge icebergs.  Hofstetter is famous for his high end technique to turn huge buildings into works of art. The images we saw of a nearly lifesize TITANIC projected on a berg, Captain Smith, the submerged bow of TITANIC, will supposedly be publicly projected on this 100th Anniversary. 

Gerry Hofstetter projection

These three lectures filled a lion share of the day, almost a university Master’s Class on al things TITANIC.  A little overwhelming, but endlessly fascinating and certainly adding to the special tone of this experience.


I took a moment to iron a shirt for tonight’s events and while in the Deck 7 Laundrette the sometimes surreal absurdity of this voyage caught me off guard as the small television screen in the corner was showing, of all films, RAISE THE TITANIC! 


As the sun set over the north atlantic preparations were underway for tonight’s Formal event - Last Dinner on TITANIC where the restaurant re-created the final menu as served in First Class.  Tonight was the time to wear either Tuxedo or period costume.  I decided to dress in my black tux with the period bowler had and fur collard overcoat. It was almost spooky to walk the decks and wood paneled drawing rooms with so many stepping back to 1912. The entrance into the main dining hall is adorned with small mirror squares and the reflection back was uncanny. 





A photographer from New York Post asked if he could take photos and a series were posed toasting a party at dinner and walking down the hall, adorned with two beautiful young ladies on my arms in full garb.

The night was beautifully capped off by a delightful conversation with Cruise Director Tony and his wife Christine. It was confirmed that on the way back to New York after the memorial rendezvous with TITANIC they would set up a reading of excerpts from my play 41W 50N adapted from and based on the US Senate Hearings.  

The timing could not be more perfect for the subject matter and it’s intricate connection to all that has happened and been presented on board.  Next on Saturday is the arrival at the last reported position of TITANIC and then crossing southeast to the final resting site. 

Below is the evening's menu:

Oysters Findlay

Consomme Olga

or 

Cream of Barley Soup

Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce

Lamb with Mint Sauce

or

Filet Mingnon Lili

or

Chicken Lyonnaise

or

Curried Vegetables and Rice

Punch Romaine

Asparagus Salad with Champagne Saffron Vinagrette

Waldorf Pudding

or

Chocolate Painted Eclairs with French Vanilla Cream

or

Peaches in Chartreuse Jelly

Assorted Fresh Fruit and Cheeses

Day 2 - First Full Day At Sea - Lectures & Conversation

"Bill Miller delighted with his vibrant style as he took the stage with a much brighter look at the Grand Ocean Liners of yesteryear, the 'Floating Palaces'.” 

Up relatively early Wednesday morning, I took advantage of the cozy spa facilities on Azamara Journey.  As a complimentary service one can use the octagonal steam room adjacent to the showers. Very modern, recessed halogen lights that create illuminated columns in the mist.  A morning steam is not only relaxing, but opens the pores so your skin can breath... or at least that’s what the brochure says! The showers are significantly larger in the Spa than in the cabins, plus the high end shampoos and body wash are very nice. 













At 9:25am there was an announcement made that John Langley’s talk on Halifax was going to start in five minutes time. John is President of the World Cunard Historical Society, and a lifetime Halifax resident.  I swore he had said his lecture was moved from 10am to 10:30am.  


I made a mad dash to grab a croissant and then headed towards the Cabaret where John was already underway with his fascinating history of this vital Nova Scotia seaport. His presentation was accompanied by a wonderful slide presentation. Turns out that Bill and I, embarrassingly became “one of those people” that simply did not read directions about a one hour clock advance that had occurred last night. This was in spite of the fact that an adorable purser had informed us, in no uncertain terms, that the time would not change until Wednesday night!!  We both should know much better by now!

John’s presentation created an excitement and almost urgency about seeing Halifax, but then turned from a general history to much more of a deep connection between the city and TITANIC. And it became a particularly dark side of that history.  New York was chosen as the best port to bring the survivors, which holds some sense of optimism and life out of the tragedy. 

Mackay - Bennett
Museum of the Atlantic Collection

However, Halifax is where so many of the bodies were brought by cable ships that were best suited for the job. These ships were part of the massive efforts to lay the early transatlantic cables that allowed faster communication between the continents, an incredible new technology.  

Undertaker William Snow preparing a body on MINIA.
Museum of the Atlantic Collection

John showed many photographs of the preparations on board these ships to bring the bodies back and talked of how the first 200 on some ships were buried at sea, mostly out of a lack of deck space. Gruesome images were projected of canvas body bags, reserved for mostly steerage passengers and crew with wood caskets for the first class victims. Even in death there was such a separation.  Further description of how the Cable boats thought they were hitting small chunks of ice as they arrived at the scene, only to discover they were bodies. Smaller rowboats were deployed from the Mackay-Bennett, for example, filled to capacity, their cargo tossed onto the large vessel, then back for more. Seemingly endless trips. 

Body Bag #41, Halifax Museum of the Atlantic. 

Then “illegal” photographs of the horse drawn hearses carting the bodies away in Halifax, partially hidden behind canvas barriers to keep gawking crowds from seeing the activity. Then and now photos of locations where bodies were stored and embalmed - a curling rink that was used as a temporary morgue because of the ice on the floors.  


Further images show Fairview Cemetery where the largest number of victims are interred. Truly a somber introduction to where we are going and harsh reminder of why we are on this voyage. A deep sadness filled my heart. 

Later, Bill Miller delighted with his vibrant style as he took the stage with a much brighter look at the Grand Ocean Liners of yesteryear, the “Floating Palaces”.  As many times as I have watched and adored Bill Miller in action, I never tire of his glamourous take on the elegance that was Ocean Liner travel. I love watching the crowds, many now new life long fans listening with rapt attention, laughing at his ingenious punch lines as he sails his audience back to another time.   


I helped man the “book shop” table and nearly most of his books were sold out before Bill ever uttered a word.  I was particularly pleased that a healthy supply of my DVD documentary of Bill “MR OCEAN LINER” also quickly sold out! 


Later at afternoon tea with John Langley, his lovely wife Judy, and some other guests we  found ourselves engrossed in further discussions of Maritime history, Titanic lore, Marconi communications and codes and speculation about ways that history has repeated. 


After dinner a Captain’s reception, typical on most sailing these days, introduced the top brass on Azamara Journey. All along, all day have been the Cameramen from CNN, German television, the reporter and photographer from New York Post. In between I have been capturing my own video digest of the events. Lastly, a  moving Chopin concert by a wonderful pianist who was also a friend of Bill Miller.  I was then introduced to a couple from Montana that brought along their bagpipes and who wanted to play some music at Fairview Cemetery in the morning.  I told them I would be happy to go along and record this little memorial. We made plans to meet by the Grand Staircase at 9:30am the next day.  Hopefully there will be no more time changes!


The night rounded off in the Lookout where a corner of this forward bar, with floor to ceiling windows on the front of the ship, was taken over by a small group enjoying a range of music from Journey to Abba.  Even there, with green and red laser lights flashing around the room, glinting off the sloped glass while FERNANDO played in the background, the conversation again turned to why so many of us, for various reasons, are all on this ship together heading towards the final resting spot of TITANIC.  

For many it is an unexplained life long connection. One couple flew all the way from Sydney, Australia to be here.  We also talked about how many have had conversations with others back home who have commented that it is “sick” or “ strange” to want to be at the site of TITANIC on the 100th Anniversary. We all voiced the same response that this is, by no means, a joy trip.  Although there are those who have chosen to express their love and fascination for all things TITANIC in their period dress or expression, no one is “celebrating”. There is a very serious deep respect for the horror of what occurred 100 years ago. This voyage is, indeed, a memorial, a chance to pay respects to the memory of these lives and this history. And in the process we are also making new friends that share a common bond. 

April 10th - Day 1/Part II - Sail Away TITANICA

"Famed artist Ken Marschall and his entourage then wander past and I’m introduced. Conversation ensues about the quality of the original photographs used in the mosaics of the TITANIC wreck."

Check in and boarding was a remarkably simple process. With only a little over 450 passengers on Azamara Journey  there were no lines at all.  The main departure hall of Pier 88 was specially decorated with a row of welcome banners featuring larger than life size portraits of several historic figures from TITANIC. J. Bruce Ismay, Molly Brown, Captain E J Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Straus.  


Azamara Journey is a small but beautiful ship. Well, at least small when compared to my more regular venue of the Queen Mary 2! My first impression from the inside is that the Journey exceptionally Edwardian in style. Carved woodwork, elegant details, brass railings, marble, very well suited for this special type of voyage.  


I first dropped off my bags in the cabin, grabbing my video camera and tripod.  One quick call and I found Bill Miller up on Deck 9, pool deck with Harry Liu, the Manager of Royal Caribbean Public Relations, whom, it turns out, was actually was one of Bill’s students many years ago in Hoboken, NJ. I was also introduced to Andrew Phare, the chief representative on board of Miles Morgan Travel, the organizers of this 100th Anniversary sailing,  as well as the Balmoral voyage which left Southampton heading Eastbound to rendezvous with us this Saturday, April 14th over TITANIC.  We quickly learned that the Balmoral had to return back towards the United Kingdom for an Air Evacuation due to an urgent illness onboard. This news was shortly blasted from BBC America over the televisions. 


The atmosphere is exceptionally friendly.  Many folks were already attracting instant attention by strolling the decks in period costume. Ladies with large feathered hats and busseled skirts on the arms of men with bowlers were turning heads and camera lenses.  CNN is covering the developing events as well as the New York Post, some radio stations and several international correspondents. 


There is already some talk and interest from the organizers to possibly do a reading of excerpts of my play 41W 50N next week as we head back to New York after the memorial. It seems chilling, yet perfectly suited to tell this story here, from the perspective of those trying to get facts and discover the truth following this horrific tragedy. 


We slowly pulled away from the dock and made our way down the Hudson River, just as the OLYMPIC did just about 100 years ago. Many more gathered at the rails under a cool, breezy New York sky. Bill Miller immediately drew crowds as he indicated the now TGI Fridays style blue, red and white painted piers where TITANIC was supposed to have docked. Others overhearing would then ask more questions and “Mr. Ocean Liner” himself began to enthrall more and more with his vast knowledge of not only all things Maritime, but the very history of New York; pointing out, for example, the Pier where CARPATHIA arrived and the nearby hotel where many of the survivors were accommodated.  

Already the folks on board are absolutely fascinating. Two separate couples had relatives who missed TITANIC and ended up on other ships, one who had a relative on CARPATHIA.  Ten year old Maya and her Mom came on this voyage as Maya has been enthralled with TITANIC ever since seeing Cameron’s film two years ago.  A woman and her friend who went to TITANIC site in 1996 when an expedition tried to raise a section of TITANIC’s shattered hull, only to have it sink again over 2 miles deep.  When asked by a reporter from a German television station why the fascination with TITANIC she replied “Reincarnation.. so many people have had to be there... there must be a past life connection”.  Another gentleman had the White Star Line flag tattooed on the back of his calf! For some it is a total obsession with the history and facts.  


I have always loved all things Ocean Liners and have had an appreciation for TITANIC ever since Walter Lord, author of A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, spoke at my school when I was eight. However, for me it is a fascination, not an obsession. In an odd way, the thought that came to mind is it’s like being at a Star Trek convention if you loved the TV show, but are not necessarily a full blown Trekker. 


After sailing past the new World Trade Center tower, now soaring up to 100 stories, past Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, then underneath the Verazzano Bridge, it was time to unpack and settle in.  Folks seemed to disappear for a while, exhausted from the day’s travel, coming from all over, California, Canada, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and beyond.  Dinner was relaxed and delightful as Bill and I were joined by John Langley, President of the World Cunard Historical Society and his wife Judy, both from Halifax. John is one of the other lecturers on board with talks on his home port and a keen insight into the heroic actions of Captain Henry Rostron and the Cunard Liner CARPATHIA, among other discussions. 


After an evening wandering around the ship, I found myself with laptop in hand in the beautiful period style wood paneled Library where a lone passenger was softly playing a sleek black grand piano under a tapestried hand painted glass skylight that looks like something out of a grand White Star Liner. Famed artist Ken Marschall and his entourage then wander past and I’m introduced. Conversation ensues about the quality of the original photographs used in the mosaics of the TITANIC wreck dating back to the Bob Ballard days. Of course, Ken’s intricate drawings, created from thousands of photographs and videos, painted a much more accurate and stunning view of the entire ship as she lay on the bottom. His artistic mastery is simply legendary.  This is all rather surreal and delightful.