On the 15th of April 2012, the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic was commemorated across the world. The article in the April edition of ‘Cumbrian Life’ features Joseph Bell, and other Cumbrian born heroes whose courage prevented an even greater loss of life on that tragic day 100 years ago.
Titanic Pierhead Memorial Liverpool
The village school made a contribution to the memorial service for Joseph Bell. I have added some illustrations made by the children which were on display at the memorial service. The page is here.
The information here cannot possibly convey the emotional
feelings generated as a consequence of the memorial service
on the afternoon of the 15th of April 2012, but is offered as
small insight into the occasion which took place at
St. Thomas a Becket Church, Farlam, Cumbria.
The new page can be found by clicking here
WHITE STAR HOUSE FLAG
The following White Star routes were operating in April 1912:
The Wreck of the Titanic
While on her way to America in April 1912
by William McGonagall, Poet and Tragedian
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O beautiful ship Titanic Of the White Star Line, Your tragic tale shall be remembered For a very long time.
Twas in the Month of April, on the Fourteenth day, That a disaster happened Which took more than fifteen hundred lives away.
They were heading t’wards Americ’s shore In the middle of the night, When the lookout spied an iceberg, Which gave him quite a fright.
They turned the wheel hard to Port, And then again to Starboard, But they hit the iceberg anyway. The hull was rent like cardboard.
They tried to make the passengers Get into the lifeboats, But they said that it was too cold, To be outside without their coats.
But Mr J Bruce Ismay of the White Star Line, Persuaded them, because He got into a lifeboat, To show how safe it was.
And Mr Guggenheim was there, With his valet by his side. They both wore Evening Dress, For to drown while badly dressed they could not abide.
They tried to make Mrs Strauss, Get into a lifeboat, But she wouldn’t leave her husband. They will never be forgot.
Joughin, the Ship’s Baker, Had imbibed the Demon Drink, He jumped into the water, He was lucky not to sink.
But they pulled him in a lifeboat, And he survived the night, But he signed the Pledge when he got home, ‘Cause he got such a fright.
The hero of the hour Was Second Officer Lightoller And I think that his example We should all be sure to follow.
He did his duties bravely, Though people swore and cursed, Enforcing the Rule of the Sea, ‘Women and Children first’
A wave washed him from off the deck, Into the icy brine, But he survived to tell the tale, And defend the White Star Line.
At last the great Leviathan, Slipped down below the water. The Engineers stayed at their posts, They never once did falter.
And Captain E.J. Smith, On the bridge until the last, Might not have hit the iceberg, If he hadn’t gone too fast. |
British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry
Report on the Loss of the “Titanic.” (s.s.)
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACTS, 1894 TO 1906.
IN THE MATTER OF the Formal Investigation held at the Scottish Hall, Buckingham Gate, Westminster, on the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th May, the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th June, at the Caxton Hall, Caxton Street, Westminster, on the 1st and 3rd July, and at the Scottish Hall, Buckingham Gate, Westminster, on the 30th July, 1912, before the Right Honourable Lord Mersey, Wreck Commissioner, assisted by Rear Admiral the Honourable S. A. Gough-Calthorpe, C.V.O., R.N.; Captain A. W. Clarke; Commander F. C. A. Lyon, R.N.R.; Professor J. H. Biles, D.Sc., LL.D.; and Mr. E. C. Chaston, R.N.R., as Assessors, into the circumstances attending the loss of the steamship “Titanic” of Liverpool, and the loss of 1,490 lives in the North Atlantic Ocean, in lat. 41 deg; 46′ N., long. 50 deg; 14′ W. on the 15th April last.
REPORT OF THE COURT.
The Court, having carefully inquired into the circumstances of the above mentioned shipping casualty, finds, for the reasons appearing in the annex hereto, that the loss of the said ship was due to collision with an iceberg, brought about by the excessive speed at which the ship was being navigated.
Dated this 30th day of July, 1912. MERSEY. Wreck Commissioner. We concur in the above report. ARTHUR GOUGH-CALTHORPE, A. W. CLARKE,
Dear Frank,
I hope that you got to Belfast all right and started work on time; I got your wire from Liverpool.
We have made a good run from Southampton everything working A1, we nearly had a collision with the New York and Oceanic when leaving Soton, the wash of our propellers made the two ships range about when we were passing them, this made their mooring ropes break and the New York set off across the river until the tugs got hold of her again, no damage was done but it looked like trouble at the time. Keep well and be a good lad.
Regards to *Mrs. Johnston, Your loving father. J. Bell.
*The Bell family in 1911/12 were living with Mrs Johnstone, a widow, as boarders in Belfast.
A scan of the last message from the Titanic, a PDF, click to view
Letter reads: Sir, In reply to your letter of the 5th April. We beg to point out that personal applications only are entertained for the position you seek.
Yours,
J Bell Chief Engineer
per WSL
Joseph Bell letter
dated 6th April 1912
Joseph Bell, Chief Engineer on the R.M.S. Titanic 