Interesting. The coal strike was officially over, but I'm sure there were shortages far and wide and normal service was a long way off. In the days leading up to the maiden voyage the shortage of coal was still being reported nationwide. Train services restricted, ferry services suspended, and people travelling by motor car instead of train.
According to the New York Times Harold Cottam was listening to the news of the coal shortages in England on April 14th.
Coal must have been treated like gold nuggets. The Olympic filled up her dining room with coal. Imagine if the Titanic had sailed a week earlier and had done the same!
Wonder if the shortages in England had persuaded some passengers to sail on the Titanic for America as they were not comfortable with the shortages in England?
UK papers - April 8th - 10th.
......'Country's normal coal supply will not be obtainable for another week.'
......'Two coal laden lorries were held up by a large gang of excited minors, who in a few minutes cleared them of their loads. Men assisted by women and children, hurrying in all directions with bags of coal.'
.......'To avoid disappointment, all travellers are requested to make enquiries at the railway stations in regard to what trains are running.'
.......'German Tourists at Plymouth - The Hamburg American company arranged a special train from Southampton.......Before the L. & S.W.R. would grant this concession the Steam ship company had to provide the coal necessary for the trip.'
If the Titanic gun is genuine then it shows how important and how dangerous they were treating the coal strike. Perhaps the coal that was transported onto the Titanic was taken out of the bunkers of another liner and the process needed careful security. Maybe this is how the coal bunker fire started? A discarded cigarette or maybe the coal was mistakenly taken out of the furnace from another ship and put into the coal bunker of the Titanic?
[Moderator's note: Photo copied from the site referred to in Martin Tyne's message deleted. MAB]
