Berthed in Cobh, this being the Irish spelling for Cove, the old name for the town (now back in use), after the visit by Queen Victoria the name was changed to Queenstown, this lasted through the period of the events of its Titanic association until after Irish independence. Nice steady start to the day and then ashore, a few hundred yards and we were at the old White Star Line building where the passengers joining Titanic in Ireland left from.
White Star Building
Dutifully bought our tickets for the guided tour. After a short wait in the adjacent park we joined our group. Learnt a great deal about those who sailed on that fateful voyage, also a bit about those who ended their voyage at Queenstown including deserters from the crew. Very different treatment and facilities provided dependent on class of ticket. First and second class actually used the building to embark, even though they were kept separate, third class waited outside and received their boarding passes in the alley at the side of the building. Two steam paddle tenders ferried the passengers out to Titanic which anchored out in the harbour behind Spike Island and not even in sight of the passengers until they were nearly to the ship. Once on-board treatment continued very differently according to class, accommodation, food etc. all very different, but it must be remembered that for third class running water and electricity were probably unknown at home and they were provided with three meals a day which was all included in the fare, not usually the case.
Original timbers of embarkation jetty
Multi media displays described the sinking and the total lack of crew training which lead to lifeboats being sent away only half full. Also just how close the SOS message sent by Titanic was to not being received by Carpathia as her radio operator was just closing down for the day, another ten minutes and no rescue for even those who did make it to the lifeboats, even so the danger to the rescuers from the ice delayed the pick up by some hours. After all that thought we had earned a nice locally made gelato from the place next door. A quick look round the town and then checked out the rally of old and classic cars meeting in the park.
A couple of real classics
Back on-board for morning coffee, and a short rest, just to catch up. Afternoon tea in the Coral Dining Room, not great! This evening off to the movies under the stars (that should read clouds),well wrapped up in blankets, for JK Rowling’s Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them. Half way through enjoyed a slice of pizza for dinner.
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