Titanic ~ By Appointment

"My pretty little cabin with its electric heater and pink curtains delighted me... it's beautiful lace quilt, and pink cushions, and photographs all round... it all looked so homely."
~ Lady Duff Gordon, passenger.

At this midpoint in my Titanic Week blippage I'd like to thank everyone for their lovely comments and interaction over the past few days. As you will have gathered I'm a bit of a nut on the subject but even still all of the information I have used has of course been gathered together by people even more dedicated to it than I, so I'd like to pay tribute where it's due, to all the writers and documentary makers that have furnished the little grey cells over the years. The story of Titanic is fascinating and I'm so happy that I can share it with you. Thank you for indulging my obsession. Given the fact that the last two blips have been quite dark and sad and noting that this story isn't going to have a happy ending I thought I'd lighten the mood a little tonight.

The White Star Line not only claimed that Titanic and her sister ship Olympic were the largest steamers in the world but also the finest.

Passage on Titanic's maiden voyage for an adult passenger travelling third class was around £8 (eq. £741 today). Second class tickets started at £13 (eq. £1,204 today). Inside single berth first class cabins started at £26 (eq. £2,409 today) while the prestigious Parlour Suites with access to their private promenade deck cost £660 (eq. £61,149 today), but for that, you were provided accommodation for two passengers and a servant.

The centre-piece of the first class accommodation was the forward grand staircase which spanned seven decks and was panelled in light English oak and capped by a wrought-iron and glass skylight. The Reading and Writing Room was decorated in Georgian style and panelled in white. The Smoking Room, which was exclusively for the use of the first class gentlemen was panelled in mahogany with inlaid mother-of-pearl. Colourful stained glass windows accented the room. The Verandah Cafes positioned at the after end of the promenade deck were light and airy while the a la carte Restaurant provided passengers, it was said, with fine dining fit to rival the Ritz. Spanning the entire width of the ship and some 113 feet long, the first class Dining Saloon was capable of seating 554 passengers in a single seating.

First class accommodation was also redefined with the inclusion of a pair of parlour suites. The portside suite consisted of "two bedrooms and a sitting room, with accommodation and wardrobe rooms arranged between the bedrooms; the sitting room being at the fore end of the suite next to the 1st class entrance."

In addition to a fully equipped gymnasium, a squash court, Turkish bath and indoor heated saltwater pool were some of the facilities available to first class passengers.

It wasn't just first class passengers who were treated to luxurious surroundings. The second class passengers had their own Library and Lounge Room. The Dining Saloon was panelled in oak and passengers sat down at long tables typically accommodating 8 to 10. The standard of decor and comfort in the second class staterooms was such that when demand required some of the rooms were to be assigned to first class passengers.

Third class accommodations aboard Titanic were basic but still beyond conditions that emigrants endured previously. As with first and second class passengers there was a Smoke Room with a bar for the use of the male passengers and a General Room for the women and families and non-smoking men. The cabins were clean and comfortable, and typically two or four berth, each with a wash basin. Single men were berthed in the forward part of the ship while single women and families berthed aft. The Dining Saloon was located amidships on F deck and could seat 473 passengers at an one time, so several sittings were required to serve all passengers. The room was divided in two by a watertight bulkhead, essentially separating it into two rooms. Decor was simple with white enamelled walls and ceilings.

As you can tell, I'm running behind schedule tonight. I'll try to catch up tonight, but I'll probably not make it round to everyone until tomorrow. Sorry. Back in a bit.