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.  

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.