Titanic Museum Attraction Honors Frederick Fleet

You know how some kids is born with silver spoons in their mouths? Well that weren't me. An orphan, I got me first job at age 12 on a training ship. Stayed there till I turned 16, then went to sea as a deck boy. Worked me way up to able seaman and, blimey, look at me now. Crewman Frederick Fleet, here --24-year-old RMS Titanic lookout, 50 feet above deck in the crow's nest.

Weather's been mild this voyage, but it turned icy cold as the sun went down. The stars is bright alright, but their reflection on the water is so flat that me and the other lookout can't see nothing in our path till we're right smack on it. And that's just what happened as Titanic sailed into that deadly ice field.

I saw it first. "Iceberg right ahead!" I yelled, soudning the alarm bell. Within 37 seconds Titanic brushed the side of the berg, showering ice onto the deck below. Climbing down from my post I feared I'd be blamed for not spotting it sooner. Seemed we might be okay until the engines stopped, and the ship began tilting head first into the sea.

Special Edition - True Titanic Stories- 1st Class Maid Jaynee tells the story of Frederick Fleet on Video. Click Here.

Titanic Museum Attraction Honors John "Jack" Phillips

I turned 25 April 11, Titanic's second day out. John Phillips, senior wireless operator, at your service. One telgraphist is the norm, but liners this size have two. My assistant, Harold Bride, and I man the system 'round the clock, alternating six-hour shifts. We've been glued to our seats since Southampton, monitoring the usual navigational info of other ships but overwhelmed by passenger requests.

Work piled up when an equipment failure temporarily shut us down, and we're still swamped with a huge backlog --mostly passenger messages that must be sent no matter what. I haven't time tonight to talk icebergs with operators on other ships. One says large bergs are in our path, and another is surrounded by them and can't move. All I can do is put their warnings aside till later.

Harold relieved me after 11 p.m., but an iceberg cut short my rest. I dashed back to the wireless room, where Harold and I tapped out frantic calls for help. Captain Smith ordered SOS and CQD distress signals, which meant Titanic was doomed. I told Harold to make a break and remained at my post. As the room flooded, the captain released me from duty, saying, "It's every man for himself now."

Special Edition - True Titanic Stories- 1st Class Maid Jaynee tells the story of John "Jack" Phillips on Video. Click Here.

Titanic Museum Attraction Honors Thomas Andrews

 

     I'm Thomas Andrews, a 39-year-old happily married father of two. As managing director at Harland & Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland, I'm in charge of designing and building its ships. My team and I built Titanic, from keel to masthead, so I know every inch of her. I'm sailing the maiden voyage should any problems develop, but I feel more like a proud father whose beautiful offspring is making her world debut. 

     Of course, she was never a dream to me -- just a spectacular, man-made monument of iron and steel, invincible yet vulnerable. I still have misgivings about one thing: Titanic is designed to carry 50 lifeboats, yet White Star officials cut the number to 20. They believe Titanic is almost unsinkable and, therefore, doesn't need unnecessary, ugly boats cluttering its decks. I pray they're right. 

     The sea is calm and the sky quite clear, yet the weather on deck is turning brisk. I've warned the lookouts to be keenly alert for icebergs, even the small ones called growlers. Navigating an ice field this time of year is likely the most critical part of our voyage. 

Special Edition - True Titanic Stories- 1st Class Maid Jaynee tells the story of Thomas Andrews on Video. Click Here. 

Titanic Museum Attraction Honors J. Bruce Ismay

     

As I watch boarding activities from a high perch on deck, everyone climbing the gangways seems excited and happy, even those in Third Class, And why not? We're making maritime history: White Star Line's Olympic-class steamers are revolutionizing the industry, in luxury, size and, above all, safety. 

     I should know. I'm J. Bruce Ismay, White Star's managing director and creator of this magnificent ship. I often sail maiden voyages and wouldn't have missed Titanic's for the world. I miss my wife and children back home in London but am pleased Titanic's architect and builder, Thomas Andrews, is here, While he ensures this "baby" behaves, I intend to bask in the praise and applause that follows me wherever I go.

     Once underway, only the vast North Atlantic will appear on the horizon. As we move out to sea, Titanic will reach her design speed of 21 knots. She can do more, but Captain Smith advises we test the new ship's limits another trip. Anyway, on-time arrival in New York is the priority, not speed. I hail from a long, proud line of successful shipbuilders. I feel sure Titanic will add glory to the family name. How could she not?

Special Edition - True Titanic Stories- 1st Class Maid Jaynee tells the story of J. Bruce Ismay on Video. Click Here.

Titanic Museum Attraction Honors Captain EJ Smith

     Welcome aboard on this glorious spring day. I'm Edward John "E.J." Smith, captain of RMS Titanic, and commander of White Star Line's impressive fleet. You've arrived on a very special day: April 10, 1912. We're about to take this fine lady to sea on her maiden voyage. 

     My officers spent the night on board, but I stayed home with family -- wife Sarah and our 12-year-old daughter, Helen. At 7 a.m. I climbed the gangway and prepared for inspection by the local board of trade and other officials; ships require permission to sail, which Titanic easily received.

     We'll cast off from Southampton, England at noon and cross the channel to Cherbourg, France. Tonight we;ll cross back to Queeenstown, Ireland, and from there we'll steer a course across the pond to New York City. Should take seven days but could be earlier if weather and other conditions permit. 

     Once Titanic and I are back home in Southampton, I'm retiring. At age 62, I've been a seaman nearly 50 years, 32 as a valued member of the White Star Line family. It's been a fantastic life --mastering some of the finest ships ever built, while hobnobbing with the rich and famous. I'll surely look back on this final voyage as the highlight of my career. 

Special Edition - True Titanic Stories- 1st Class Maid Jaynee tells the story of Captain Smith on Video. Click Here.

"A Night To Remember. A Titanic Musical Tribute." Event Information

There are only 10 more days to participate in this once-in-a lifetime tribute event as Titanic turns 100 years old! 

The Titanic Museum Attractions are hosting “A Night to Remember: An Original Musical Tribute to Titanic,” on Saturday, April 14, the 100th anniversary of the night the ship struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage. The entire day, Saturday, April 14, 2012 will be dedicated to the 100 year tribute. For admission into the Titanic Museum Attraction on Saturday, April 14, you must call 800-381-7670 to reserve your tickets.

The Concert and Memorial Tribute will begin at noon (Central) on April 14 at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri. Here is a sneak peek at the Branson Titanic Event Line Up :

• 50 Piece Springfield Symphony Orchestra
• 2 Choir performances
• Descendants from actual Titanic Passengers
• The lighting of an eternal flame 

This is just the Tip of the Iceberg. Many more surprises are in store....

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, will hold it's Musical and Memorial Tribute on April 14 at 8:30pm (EST). Here is a sneak peek at the Pigeon Forge Titanic Event Line Up: 

• An excerpt from TONY AWARD WINNING, Titanic the Musical will be performed by the Circle Players Theater
• Descendants from actual Titanic Passengers 
• Performance by Sound Company Children's Choir 
• The lighting of an eternal flame

is is just the Tip of the Iceberg. Many more surprises are in store....

For tickets to this event, you must call 800-381-7670.

The only place in the United States where guests can attend a formal tribute is at one of the TitaniMuseum Attractions. Musical performances, historic ceremonies and appearances by actual descendants ofTitanic’s passengers and crew will highlight the production honoring the 2,208 people aboard the ship.

Bonus: Ticket holders will receive limited edition memorials dedicated to the ship’s history, including a DVD containing video tributes of the personal stories of selected passengers and crew.