Awakenings: Titanic: Upon the Sea

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Titanic: Upon the Sea

Now into the wide open waters of the Atlantic, the Titanic continues on her voyage as passengers enjoy life on the luxurious oceanliner. Unsuspecting. All seemed calm, except for the excitement that still abounded throughout the rooms and corridors of the ship. The crew had worked hard getting ready everything necessary for the comfort of 'home away from home' for 322 first class passengers, 275 second class passengers, and 712 third class passengers.

This Day in History: April 12-13, 1912

At twilight, voices sang, dancers swayed
While music played on and on well into the night
Reflections upon the huge glass dome
Mirrored falling stars as a sublunary sight

What did people DO other than talk about their anticipations of visiting, perhaps living, in America? There were NO cellphones. NO computers. NO television. NO iPad, NO iPhones, NO iPhoto, NO iTunes!

Did the lack of iAnything spell boredom? B.O.R.E.D.O.M. NOT at all! NOT for one skinny minute! Curiosity of who or what was around the next corner, in the next room, within the next moment kept adrenalin pumping. Conversing with the variety of accomplished, educated and artistically inclined passengers on board was entertainment within itself. Unanticipated.

Invigorated by breaths under the stars
Alas, we’re gliding across the sea
Loving, living, laughing, enjoying the fun
Unsuspecting of what was to be

Just walking all the corridors of the ship would take a couple of days. Then, there was the view. The spectacular view of the sea. An enclosed promenade deck even allowed passengers to enjoy the fresh sea air on inclement days. Folded wooden deck chairs offered a place to sit and rest from walking the long deck. For privacy, those who paid the price for parlor suites also enjoyed the luxury of their own private 50-foot long personal promenades. Can you imagine stepping out onto the Promenade Deck to admire the moonless night filled with hundreds of thousands of stars shining ever so brightly in the pitch black? Within that vision must be kept sights of the life and times of the year 1912.

Photo: First-Class Gymnasium aboard the Titanic

What about those concerned with physical fitness?

While swimming is great exercise, diving into the middle of the ocean was not advisable. Anyway, the waters of the Atlantic were icy cold. Br-r-r-r! Unimaginable. In contrast, the Titanic offered a 6-ft deep heated salt-water swimming pool, which could be used for either swimming workouts or for spa-style relaxation.

It didn't stop there.

First Class Passengers' gymnasium sported state-of-the-art equipment along with a personal trainer, who was available to coach passengers throughout daily workouts. These included stationary bicycling, rowing, boxing, weight training. At the top of the list was a peculiar motorized device called the 'electric camel', which apparently simulated the exertion of riding an actual beast. Sound familiar? Was this the precursor to the mechanical bull?

Second Class Passengers' amenities may not have been as extravagant but they did not go lacking. Occasions were plentiful for shuffleboard and ring toss, as well as board games, such as chess and backgammon. One of the most pleasant features was the Second Class Library. This was not only accessible for reading, but also as a place to socialize as well.

Third Class Passengers pretty much were left to find their own amusements in their living quarters or in the small area of the 'poop' deck they were allowed to use. It was later reported by one of the survivors how the Third Class passengers were enjoying every minute of their time. One of the passengers played the bagpipes for everyone's entertainment, and younger passengers enjoyed "uproarious" double jump-rope contests.

Such was life upon the sea. The days, April 12 & 13, 1912, went smoothly.