This is our series of supplemental logs that were taken from our scientific research expedition to RMS Titanic earlier last month. I hope that you enjoy!
After exploring the mast thoroughly, we pass over the cargo hold, windlass and large cargo cranes on our way to the bridge area. The best known structure on the bridge is the telemotor, where the ship's wheel was attached. In front of the telemotor is the wooden frame of where the bridge once was and this frame has now become a platform for the placing of memorial plaques. It is obvious that this wood must of been treated otherwise the wood-boring worms would have consumed it long ago. On the port side of the telemotor is a fallen davit of lifeboat number 2, aft of the telemotor is the decaying facade of the officer's quarters and starboard of the telemotor is the extended davit of lifeboat number 1 that has been frozen in place since 1912.
Moving down the boat deck on the starboard side, we come across Captain E. J. Smith's cabin. The forward antechamber of his cabin has decayed quite significantly and the support for the walls and ceiling will collapse within the next 5 years. In his bedroom quarters, the external wall has collapsed and exposed his bathroom. The most prominent structure in his bathroom is a large, white porcelain bathtub with associated faucets that look in pristine condition. Further aft of the Captain's quarter, the remainder of the Officer's Quarters look to be in great shape. Literally "strolling" this deck area, the structures are fairly intact and even the side lights that dot the walls are still prevalent. One area that I was keen on observing was the bow expansion joint between the two sections of the Officer's Quarters. In 2003, I observed a rather large gap in this expansion joint and I was curious to see if this gap had increased over the past two years. Over the next month, we will be able to conclusively answer this question based on our photometric studies.
As we ascended several feet above the boat deck we will cross over to the port side of the ship and observe the condition of the port side officer's quarters. On our way, we pass over an overhead opening to the Marconi Room where Harold Bride and John Phillips sent out the SOS and CQD messages to send assistance to the sinking Titanic - right up to the time that water was ankle deep around them. These two brave radiomen were heroes at the time. Harold Bride survived the ordeal to testify about the events on board the Titanic that fateful night; however, Phillips was retrieved from the cold waters by a lifeboat but later succumbed to hypothermia. Inside this opening, you can see many wires that were used to send out these radio messages. It never ceases to amaze me how every place that we visit on the ship has a unique story to tell.
I am highly interested to know and see more about titanic. Still it is an impact to me being human being.
Posted by: Hariharan | August 23, 2005 at 12:54 AM
Hello Hariharan,
The story of the Titanic is a very emotional and spiritual tale for many people. From a research standpoint, we know a lot of information about the ship and the people that plied her decks. What we are starting to understand by visiting her via submersibles is how she sank. Bob Williams postulated that the cause of the sinking were due to growler icebergs that breeched the keel of Titanic and was the major cause for her demise. A recent visit to Titanic by Michael Harris supports Mr. Williams hypothesis and claims that he has found an undiscovered debris field that may indeed be the keel section of Titanic. With further study, we may be able to determine, without any doubt, the reasons why Titanic sank so fast and consequently killed so many people.
Many thanks for your comment!
David Bright
President
Nautical Research Group, Inc.
Posted by: David Bright | August 23, 2005 at 07:47 AM