112th Anniversary of the Titanic's Sinking

On April 14, 1912, the sinking of the Titanic took place.  More than two miles deep in the Atlantic ocean, off the remote coast of Newfoundland, sits the remains of a ship that was supposed to be unsinkable.  The Titanic has captured public interest for 112 years.  I couldn't comprehend the vastness of the Atlantic - both majestic and foreboding - until I sailed on the Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton last August, and I couldn't help thinking about the Titanic passengers.

Today, we don't celebrate the sinking of the ship, we commemorate the 1,517 passengers who perished.

Many have seen the 1997 Titanic movie [3 hrs. 15 minutes long - not quite as long as Gone With theWind] starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.  And if you're like me you even have DVDs.  I have several books too since I've assisted with Titanic events and a presentation.

Here's some fun statistics:  The Titanic set sail with 3,000 teacups, 1,200 teapots, 6,000 teaspoons, and 800 lbs. of tea.  First class passengers were served the best available, Twinings, and probably English Breakfast or Earl Grey since they were the original makers of the famous Earl Grey blend.  The Second class passengers might have been given a choice between China and Indian tea.  And Third class passengers would have been served unbranded tea bought in bulk from a wholesaler. 

Today Harney & Sons blends a Titanic tea that is quite good.  I have replica teacups from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class to chose from when sipping my commemorative tea.

For Downton Abbey fans, you will remember Season One, Episode 1 opened with Lord Grantham reading the newspaper that informed him the Titanic had sunk.

In 2005 I helped tearoom owner, Cheryl Nix, with a "Last Dinner on the Titanic" event.  My son, Steve, [a Titanic History buff] portrayed Second Officer, Charles H. Lightoller.  

As a minister he has since used the oceanliner's sinking as an illustration in a sermon... More than only 683 passengers could have been saved, but the majority of them had the false hope that the ship was unsinkable and they didn't heed the warnings until it was too late.