Titanic The Ship Magnificent

[Michael H. Standart]

I'm thinking that anybody thinking of building a working replica of the ship for trade had better take a close look at the chapter dealing with sanitary arrangements. While cutting edge for the time, by our reckoning, they were crude beyond belief. They would never pass regulatory muster.

 

[Steven Hall]

Pretty ordinary set up for the toliets isn't it.
It's things like this that people don't think about. 'The Ship Of Dreams' (LOL), using the bathroom would not leave that impression.
I think these books start to get across the true understanding of what it would have been like on these ships.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>I think these books start to get across the true understanding of what it would have been like on these ships.<<

It will for anybody who actually reads it and I am. The 3rd class arrangements were about as crude as you can get and a lot of even 1st class had to use the public loo.

As for disposing of the waste, I wonder how many people understand that even in port, it went right over the side? Try getting that past the authorities!

 

[Steven Hall]

I've seen pictures of the toilet tissue issued to the 3rd class. You may as well have been using mild sandpaper. And your right Mike, even 1st class (apart from the select few) had to muck in with everyone else in the class.
And Ismay was worried about cigar holders above the urinals !
Any person that has tried using the aforementioned conveniences after having a few sherbets (drinks) and during a rough sea - leaves the mind numb; especially for those crew assigned to keep the area clean.
For the well attired ladies aboard, the toliet stalls were such a width they’d almost have to strip down (their skirts) to get through the door.
The ship of dreams; not for the ladies I’m afraid.
As Violet Jessop once commented that some parts of the ship contained areas which presented “all things known foul to humanity”. I’d imagine the toilets were one of these areas she had in mind when she passed that comment.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>And Ismay was worried about cigar holders above the urinals !<<

Well now, you have to concentrate on the important things while sending your "message" to your elected officials!

I wonder if Miss Jessop ever got a look at third class and the places where people took care of business when they couldn't find the facilities?

 

[Matthew Farr]

I just received my copy of volume 2 (volume 1 will be here in a couple of days) and WOW!!! I have only flipped through it and it is better than I ever could have expected. I can't wait to see volume 1. Very nice job to all who brought this set of books to life, the wait was more than worth it.

 

[Bruce Beveridge]

Tim,

I'm sorry about the DVD's they sent out. I, and the rest of the guys on more then one occasion, asked them to send out hard copies to all of the main Titanic groups. I explained why and so on. They didn't get it - or just didn't want to expend the money on a book that they were not sure how well it would sell. The shipping alone is a burden and I can see their point in a way. Well it sold good and they have already ordered a second printing (not an official second edition). I sent the THS a hard copy of both volumes out of my own pocket, but it was personalized to the Kamuda's.

See - the publisher offers me an author's discount, and it is a good discount, but it is based on the RRP (regular Retail Price), and also on British Pounds. So that means I get to pay full RRP after the exchange rate is accounted for. The US distributor will allow me to purchase the volumes for a discount also, but not as good as the publisher in USD. Again, I have to pay for shipping, and guess what? I would save money by buying the volumes from Amazon. So I don't get any breaks.

Stewart Kelly has a few photo credits in the books, and so do many other people, but I literally can't afford to send out a complimentary copy to each of these guys. I tried my hardest to explain the situation to the publisher, and they sent me a number of sets, but I'll be getting a bill at the end of the year and I can't imagine how much that is going to be.

Thanks for all of the kind words - to all of you!!!!


Bruce

 

[Timothy Trower]

Bruce,

Inasmuch as the CDs arrived long before the hard copies, from a review point of view this was a good thing. I'm not grousing about having to buy a set (I've had them for about a week) and I don't want to sound like an ingrate; after all, I've gotten a fair amount of books in the past two years merely for the trouble of reading and reviewing them.

But I've heard plenty of stories of books that arrive slightly damaged, and the point of my earlier post is that of making the effort to ask for extra packaging -- it will pay off. Even if customer service says this is not possible, keep asking -- these books cost too much to have them arrived in less than good shape!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>these books cost too much to have them arrived in less than good shape!<<

To say nothing of both customers and authors deserving no less then the best possible service from the vendors.

I'm still reading through Volumn Two. To call it a gold mine is and understatement and having the deck plans section by section is a real plus. I may end up at some point ordering a second set as my "collectors set" and use the first as my deskside working reference, and I'm not much for collecting for it's own sake.

Yes, it's really that good.

Now if Amazon would only get my copy of Volumn One to me...but that's a different rant. It doesn't take away from the sheer quality of the work in the slightest.

 

[Art Braunschweiger]

Michael, and everyone else who has spoken words of praise for Volume 2, thank you. It was very much our intent to write and organize Volume 2 to stand on its own, given that many people will be purchasing V2 by itself. What I am hearing from you and the others tells me that we have succeeded in this regard and Volume 2 is very easily readable by itself. (Of course, there is also a great deal in Volume 1 that will also be of interest to anyone interested in the "finished ship", such as the sections on ventilation, heating, cargo and mail handling, and so on. But from a practical standpoint, starting with Volume 2 is good for weight training, building up those wrist and forearm muscles before moving on to the weightier Volume 1.) ;-)


Regards,

Art Braunschweiger
Editor, TTSM

 

[Matthew Newman]

I'm on page 50 (and a slow reader) and with each new page stocked full of information I just can't help but think of Thomas Andrews and how proud he would be of everyone involved in the making of these wonderful books. Bruce, Art, and the rest, you all have truly brought the Titanic (and really the Olympic Class) back to life in a way that can only be done in literature. No "working replica", film, or documentary could ever even scratch the surface of what you guys have done here. I sincerely believe that Thomas Andrews would thank you for honoring him and his creation(s) as you have.

As for a Volume 3...bring it on! I'll very happily shell out the bucks and go through the roller coaster ride that is Amazon shipping again to get a copy if you all do decide to go ahead with the project.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>(Of course, there is also a great deal in Volume 1 that will also be of interest to anyone interested in the "finished ship", such as the sections on ventilation, heating, cargo and mail handling, and so on.<<

You have my attention. I'm a nuts and bolts guy through and through. (Some say I'm just plain nuts, but that's another story.) These details you mentioned are just as important as what was stuffed into the hull in the area of accomodation. Given my interest in forensics issue, the 1st volumn is going to be essential reading.

As to bringing on Volumn Three, I'll second that motion!

 

[Samuel Halpern]

Bruce, Scott, Steve, Daniel, and Art.

I have only looked at Vol. 1 (as I'm still waiting for Vol. 2 to arrive), but I need to say foremost thanks and congratulations for producing a truly outstanding publication. It is a dream come true for anyone interested in learning what these ships were really about. The level of detail is far beyond what anyone can imagine until you see it for yourself. And its not just in the detail alone that is provided. It is also the great care taken to explain things to the reader who may not be that familiar with various aspects as how a ship is constructed, or how something is supposed to work. Whatever your area of special interest may be -- from washports, to boat deck promenade barrier railings, to how the pitch of the propellers were measured and set, to the intricate details of the construction and workings of the drop down and sliding watertight doors -- just about anything and everything you wanted to know about and more is covered within the pages of this book. A truly fantastic achievement.

 

[Steven Hall]

Thanks Sam.

 

[Art Braunschweiger]

Sam,

we only followed the example you've been setting all these years.

(And Steve, that's priceless!)


Regards

Art Braunschweiger