Seconds from Disaster-Titanic (Nat'l Geographic)

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Matthew Newman

Member
While I wasn't overly impressed with this installation, I found certain facts presented very interesting.

The never before done rivet test was a new approach, to me anyway.

Parks, I could swear I spotted you in a bowler hat on a boat deck with several other struggling passengers. You seem to be just getting a piece of all the Titanic/Britannic action now days. Congratulations! Your hard work is certainly paying off. I look forward to seeing the final Britannic production coming out later this year!

The program itself was very interesting, but didn't cover TOO much that most buffs didn't already know. But I enjoyed it very much and have added it to my Titanic video collection. Parks' interview on the wireless, as always, was very interesting.

Thumbs up for this documentary. I look forward to watching it later today without the interruptions that kept coming up while I was attempting to watch it in a house full of maniacs LOL.

Good Job put together by tne National Geographic channel and the team that made it possible!
 
Matthew,

No, I didn't wearing a bowler hat...I most often showed up the seaman who always had his back turned to the camera (couldn't show my face when you would see me later in a modern interview). I also played a steerage passenger running up the stairs to a locked gate (cut from the US version), but again, I had a tied bundle of possessions thrown over my shoulder to hide my face. However, my wife and two kids can be seen plainly in several of the scenes. My daughter and her best friend got the most face time because they were the only two small children in the cast. Two of Ken Marschall's sisters -- and their husbands -- and his brother can also be seen (Ken did not participate, but did show up to watch the Boat Deck scenes). One of Ken's brothers-in-law played Hichens (with a beard). The cast included a complement of Titanic enthusiasts who live in the L.A. area and responded to the casting call.

Parks
 
I still think it's great that you've become so involved that here lately, I haven't seen a documentary without Parks Stevenson being somehow involved. That says something!
happy.gif
Your insight on the Marconi communication is priceless. I doubt I've ever run into anyone else so knowledgable on that aspect of the disaster. Guess that gues to show that hard word definitely pays off.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with during your latest Britannic expedition (though I'm sorry for all the Hell you had to deal with in Athens with that psycho cab driver).

One question: Where did you all get hold of those Titanic lifebelts? do you have any idea who makes them? Even though they're not the ACTUAL jackets used in the actual Titanic disaster, a lifejacket in that style would be an invaluable addition to my Titanic collection. Any idea as to where I could possibly get my hands on one for collector's purposes?

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I'm learning so much about the ship that I would have never thought of thanks to you and a few others around here who have taught me so much.

Great production and it did bring forth some information that I had no clue of. You are the other's hard work has opened many new chapters in Titanic's secretive history. Thank you for being willing to share you knowledge with the public.

I'll be watching for the cast members you mentioned, since I had my VCR ready and I'll be reviewing the tape as soon as I get time.

Yet another great job, well done by you!
 
Matthew,

Thank you for your kind words. I have a passion for the subject, so I work hard to try to help educate the filmmakers on what is known about the history. I think they like me because I haven't yet found the backbone to demand payment for my services.

I don't know where the lifebelts came from...the production company came up with them from somewhere. There is an outfit in the Valley called "History For Hire" that rents all kind of props to filmmakers working in the L.A. area...I believe that's where the production crew got most of the props (I also brought some of my own collection -- telegraph key, Marconi cap, WSL blanket, etc. -- which isn't much). I don't have a lifebelt, though.

There was a woman a few years ago who made copies of the lifebelts to sell on eBay, but I have long since forgotten her name.

Parks
 
Thanks for the info, Parks.

Your passion for the subject seems to be paying off very well (even though not in cash apparently), but it's great that you've managed to get so heavily involved in Titanic and her story through modern documentaries. I always find what you have to say very interesting. I've learned a lot from you about the wireless communication. You've mentioned a lot of details that I would have never even thought of. Also, I enjoy going through your marconigraph site. There's a lot of good information there and I thank you for your work to make that information available.
I know you're a very busy man, so I'll keep this short. Just wanted to show my appreciation for your efforts and am always looking forward to what you come up with next.

Kindest regards,
 
Yes Kendra, Smith did indeed go to inspect some of the damaged compartments himself. He met up with Thomas Andrews while doing that. We have that in reported evidence from several eyewitnesses. Soon after he returned from his personal inspection is when the order was given to load women and children into the boats and when the first wireless distress message was sent out.
 
Thanks sam! I guess I got caught up in all of the other documentaries I have seen where they seem to show only Andrews checking up on it. Thanks for correcting me, and I will be sure to take each documentary with a grain of salt as you guys say so frequently.
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I enjoy all of your input. Thanks again!
Kendra
 
Kendra, an invaluable resource would be the inquiry transcripts themselves which may be accessed at http://www.titanicinquiry.org/

If you want to do some fact checking of what's claimed in some of what may charitably called "documentaries" against what was actually said by the people who were there, this is the place to go. Well worth bookmarking.
 

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