Monday, April 9, 2012

Announcing The Titanic Week at Historical Tapestry

Welcome to our tribute to the sinking of the White Star Line vessel Titanic. This week will run from today, April 9, to April 22, 2012. (Yes, the event is now longer than a week...) It will include book reviews, historical facts, and the Today in Titanic History that was began a few days ago will continue when important events occur. 

Interesting Facts About the Titanic:
  • The Titanic was the second of three Olympic class vessels launched by the White Star Line. The first ship was the Olympic and the second was the Britannic.
  • The Titanic had 840 staterooms (416 first class, 162 standard class, and 262 third class) and 9 decks (lettered A to G).
  • While the Titanic had 4 funnels, only 3 of them are actually functional. The 4th was added for looks alone, but it also served as a vent.
  • The White Star Line did not believe in breaking a bottle on a ship before it was launched, so the Titanic did not observe this ceremony. This has been discussed as one of the 'reasons' the ship was doomed.
  • Many of the passengers on the Titanic were supposed to travel on different ships, but were moved around because of a coal shortage that lead to other ships being docked. The Titanic only had enough coal for the 1-way voyage and were expected to get the return voyages coal in New York.
  • The lookouts did not have binoculars because when Wilde became the Chief Officer, the original 2nd Officer ended up leaving the ship entirely and reportedly took the key to where the binoculars were stored with him. If they had binoculars, they may have seen the iceberg sooner.
  • The Titanic carried 20 lifeboats. If they were filled to capacity, they would carry 1,178 people. There were approximately 2,229 people aboard. (This number varies widely depending on where you look, though). They actually had more lifeboats than were required because the guidelines had not been changed to accommodate the Olympic class vessels, but still not enough for everyone aboard.
  • Three dogs were among the Titanic survivors. (Although I have also heard only 2.)
  • There were 706 Titanic survivors. 1,517 (approximately) people died in the sinking. Many more could have been saved, but they were not filling the lifeboats to capacity in many cases.
  • The Titanic received many warnings of ice fields ahead. There are many hypotheses about why they were where they were. It is reported they were going too fast for the conditions, but some sources say that the ships did this on purpose to get out of the dangerous area as quickly as possible.
  • It took 74 years before the wreck of the Titanic was discovered.
OTHER TITANIC BLOGGING EVENTS:
Nicola at Back to Books is hosting a year-long Titanic Reading Challenge. You can join any time. The information can be found here.

Then, at Miss Remmers Reviews, she is hosting a Titanic challenge for the month of April. You can find all the information about that here.

If I missed anything let me know and I will mention it over the next two weeks.

Thanks to William Morrow/ Harper Collins were also holding a giveaway for on copy of a non-fiction book about the Titanic, Voyagers of the Titanic by Richard Davenport Hines to a U.S. or Canadian reader.  Teddy will be reviewing it on April 10th.

Rules of the giveaway:
- to participate, just leave a comment sharing your favourite read about the Titanic or why you are interested in the Titanic and include your email address
- one entry per household

29 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the facts and the links.
    Unfortunately I can't take part in the giveaway because I live in Germany.
    So I look forward to the review by Richard Davenport Hines.

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  2. Like nearly everyone, I've long been fascinated by the Titanic tragedy. I recently read the novel The Dressmake by Kate Alcott, and am even more interested in the aftermath, the hearings, the results of the tragedy on the passengers. I'd love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I recently read The Dressmaker, too, and thought it was pretty good. It made me want to read the testimony from the hearings at some point.

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  3. I've always been interested in the Titanic since my great-grandmother had a premonition of it sinking. I would love to win this book!

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    1. Oh, that is interesting about your great-grandmother!

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  4. I really haven't read anything yet about the Titanic but it is such an amazing story and bit of history. I would love to win so I can read this book.

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. The Titanic is a very interesting subject to read about. I hope you get a chance to read either this book or something else if you don't win.

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  5. I have visited five or six museum showings on the Titanic and find the sory fascinating.

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  6. I think it would be interesting to read about the people. I already know the ship sank. I'd rather find out about the people.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. Yes, I agree on that. There is only so much that can said about the actual events.

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  7. I have been obsessed with the Titanic since I was little and first saw the movie 'A Night to Remember' on late night tv with my grandma. This book is on my to read list, so I would love to have my own copy!

    lsl.scrapper at gmail

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    1. I have yet to see that movie. I must remedy that!

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  8. I read "A Night to Remember" by Walter Lord back in the 70's and loved it. Glad it is still in print - will definitely read it again. Also "Promise Me This" is getting excellent reviews so will put that in my TBR pile too.
    sulebol@aol.com

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    1. I was hoping to reread A Night to Remember this month, but it didn't happen.

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  9. I don't remember the name of the book but my father had a non-fiction book that I found fascinating when I went through my 'Titanic phase' as a kid.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

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    1. There are so many of them it is a bit overwhelming...

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  10. I have always been interested in learning about the Titanic and the people on the ship since I was a child and my Mother would read to me the history of the Titanic. I think her interest in the Titanic rubbed off on me. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway.
    :) Jeanne B. T.
    jeannebates_t@yahoo.com

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    1. How wonderful that you and your mother share a love for the Titanic.

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  11. I have always been interested in the Titanic. I read anything and everything I can get my hands on. I think I have seen just about every movie----and yes, I LOVED the movie with Leonardo diCaprio and Kate Winslett! I've seen it more times than I care to admit. I guess it's like The Diary of Anne Frank when I hope each time I read or watch it I always hope for a different ending. Never happens though and I always cry. Always!

    nancyecdavis At bellsouth DOT net

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    1. I know what you mean... You know what is going to happen, but you can't help wishing it was otherwise.

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  12. With all this talk of "A Night to Remember" you've convinced me to read it.

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    1. It is a very interesting book. There is also a sequel. Some of the facts in the book have been disproved, but it is still a standing testament to the events. I hope you enjoy it, Teddy. I look forward to your thoughts!

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  13. I'm interested in the Titanic because of the stories about the ship.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. A Night to Remember was my first Titanic read (for school!) Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's great that used to be read in school. It obviously still should be based on all the people that are saying they thought the Titanic was only a movie..

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  15. I know I read a YA type book on Titanic when I was in school but for the life of me cannot remember what it was. And I think it was the only book I have read about it. I have seen so many tv shows and the 1997 movie (which I did go seen in 3D last weekend). I just love seeing those underwater images of the ship - it is so haunting and beautiful and brings such sadness to mind. How so much of the disaster could have been avoided.

    Please enter me for this. dolleygurl[at]hotmail[dot]com

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    1. Yes, it is the historical aspects that I liked about the movie as well. :)

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