Friday, April 13, 2012

Titanic Centennial

        Since  this week is the hundredth  anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, there has been much discussion on the news. 


       The sinking of the Titanic was a major disaster in several ways. Over 1500 people lost their lives. A major vessel was lost on it's first voyage. A comedy of errors occurred which led to the disaster.


     Over the last 100 years the Titanic sinking has provided the reason for many books to be written. People are still fascinated with the sinking. Many heroic tales have been told of how people survived and died. It was horrendous for all as they thought they were on an extremely modern and safe ship. Within the last 10 years a major movie was made. Many newspaper articles and interviews have occurred on the topic. This week I heard several documentaries. One documentary was on the band that played on the ship and how it played to almost the last minute. The band members got off the ship but because they were in the water they soon perished from hypothermia.


     Recent technology has enabled us to go down to the Titanic and look around. Again more was learned to explain what happened. Treasure seekers have been able to access the wreck. There is controversy regarding the ethics of taking things from the wreck. Salvagers assure us that the things the have were picked up from the ocean floor and not taken from the ship as the ship is considered a grave site.


     Survivors provided eye witness accounts of events. The last Titanic survivor died only a few years ago. Families are still able to name members who were lost in the disaster. 


     Many investigations have taken place as to why the Titanic sank. There is till some dispute as to what actually happened. The investigations have led to many rules to improve navigation and safety. The basic building of ships was changed so that the bulkheads would prevent water from moving from one compartment to another. The type of steel used to build ships was changed because of the Titanic sinking.


     It's difficult to consider the technology of the time. They did not have radar or sonar. They only had Morse code for a radio system. Visual sailing was all they had. They knew that this area could  have icebergs but they continued on. Other ships in the area stopped for the night.


    I think that today we have benefited from the Titanic disaster by having more reliable engineering practices. Laws have been enacted to enforce safety regulations. Life boat space and life jackets must be provided for all people on a ship.


    We have all benefited from this great tragedy. 100 years have provided us with much information. I'm sure there is still more to learn. We also must remember this tragedy.

16 comments:

  1. I agree - we must remember this tragedy. I think that, although I watched the movie (under protest, I might add), I was more than a little concerned and put off by what I felt was the "romanticizing" of such a tragedy. I know it made for good box office, but the thought of all of those people dying on that ship overshadowed the acting and the music for me. On another note, as the safety officer for my previous company, I was tasked with watching many, many disaster videos, screening them for possible use, and I can tell you that in almost every one, it wasn't just one thing that caused the disaster, but a series of bad judgments, the most often being complacency! We think that just because we have always done it this way, and nothing has happened, it won't. Sorry for getting on my soapbox, but you brought that back to my mind! Thanks, Red. Have a great day!

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    1. I like your soapbox. Many times something can work with things wrong until the wrong thing happens at the right time and then we have a major problem.
      I worry about safety with our global economy. Our food inspection services have just been cut!

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  2. This incident is such a tragedy and mainly because they were over confident of the "unsinkable ship" that even the basic precautions and safety was disregarded. Great post, Red!

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    1. Over confidence is one thing that has not been changed because of the Titanic. You're right overconfidence was a major contribution to the disaster.

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  3. I read the book, "A Night to Remember" long ago and was very moved by the account. You are right that we have learned from the tragedy. I think I'll skip seeing the movie again, though.

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  4. That's a book I'm going to read. I never did see the movie. I'm not a movie watcher.

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  5. It amazes me how much technology has changed....even so I wonder at times why we trust it as much as we do.

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    1. You"re right! I wonder how much brighter we are as we can look back and criticize the mistakes of the Titanic, but are we any better now?

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  6. This was a book "A Night To Remember", which a purchased a very long time ago and I was most moved by the account of the events that took place. I guess you could say I was spellbound - did not enjoy the movie. I guess big n better never worked in this case - yet, I find technology simply amazing and love discovery. Thanks Red, for stopping by my blog. I have taken a peek at yours and will be back. Cheerio for now - Saucykodz

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    1. Thanks Saucy for visiting and now following my blog. Technology is amazing but one also has to wonder how much better we are at assessing new technology.

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  7. I so htink of the lower classes locked below and I shudder, Red. Horrobile time in our history. I've visited the graves in Nova Scotia. Very, very sad.

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  8. It was a terrible tragedy but when we think of the corners that were cut in safety one shudders even more because the loss was avoidable and preventable.
    With our global economy today we are cutting corners again a letting global companies write the rules and be their own inspectors. With such a regime we could experience another tragedy.

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  9. I've heard for years that, "The number one thing that we learn from history is that we don't learn from history." Perhaps a tongue in cheek quotation that speaks to how stubborn we are & how we think TRAGEDY happens to everyone but us. "Ten Foot Tall and Bullet Proof" philosopy. The Titanic tragedy certainly should have taught us, anything and anyone is sinkable at any time!

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    1. We are invincible! Especially young men!
      I like the metaphor you use about us being sinkable. How true.

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  10. It's so unfortunate that the way we learn is from others errors. It's horrific to think that so many people lost their lives due to whatever reasons may be theorized from this tragic event. But as you mentioned at least there are safeguards in place today, more-so than when this ship went down.

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  11. I think we've been fairly good when it comes to safety. However, I am worried about the globalization thing . Global companies are allowed to write their own rules and inspect things without any oversight. I don't think we're half a smart as we think we are.

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