2 items
One of the most opulent features of the Titanic was her forward Grand Staircase. It was a perfect example of fine craftsmanship and the most notable feature, of her interior. It was over 60ft in height and 16ft wide. Titanic actually had two first-class grand staircases, one at the forward end of the ship and one aft. The forward grand staircase went from the Boat Deck down to D Deck. Passengers entering the Grand Staircase through the First Class Entrance, or the landing which sat between the port and starboard side containing the lifeboats, found themselves surrounded by oak columns and balustrades, with iron and finishing touches in bronze. The staircase was between the first and second funnels but closer to the first.
If passengers were to look over the balustrades, they would have seen down to the entrance hall on A Deck, then peering up to see an impressive chandelier crowning the glass and wrought iron dome. During the day, natural light streamed in, while at night, the chandelier was lit. Passengers could make their way down by short flights of stairs on either side of the first-class entrance and turn and merge with the main stairs. At the top of the staircase were two female figures known as Honor & Glory crowning time, complete with a clock. Where the handrail for the staircase ended stood a bronze cherub holding a torch, which was lit up by electric light. Lino tiles surfaced the deck within the Boat Deck, and A Deck, composed of 18in square white tiles laid fore-and-aft, relieved at regular intervals by tiles featuring black geometric shapes.
From A Deck, passengers could easily access cabins, the A Deck promenade, the First Class Lounge, the Reading & Writing Room, or continue down to B Deck. On B Deck, there were plenty of cabins. Descending further down to C Deck, passengers found along with more cabins, the purser’s office and also the enquiry office where they could seek information, post mail and send wireless messages, hire deck chairs, secure tickets to use the Squash Court, Swimming Bath or the Turkish Baths. Continuing down to D Deck, passengers would have seen the impressive candelabra found at the base of the stairs, featuring 21 ‘candles’ with electric lights. Landing on D Deck, passengers would find themselves in the First Class Reception Room, decorated in the Jacobean style featuring white paneling, which led to the Dining Room.
If they so desired, and since walking up and down the stairs would have been a trek, passengers could find three elevators or lifts, as they were called, to take them up to A Deck or all the way down to E Deck. The lifts could be found just forward of the staircase.
Not quite as impressive as the forward grand staircase, but equally so was the Aft Grand Staircase. This staircase ran from A Deck and extended down to C Deck, and was between the third and fourth funnels. If one stood looking up to the aft staircase from B Deck, it would have appeared near identical to standing in the same place, in front of the forward staircase on A Deck, apart from the paneling in the centre surrounding the clock was noticeably simpler.
As with the forward staircase, the aft one also featured an identical glass and wrought iron dome. From A Deck, access to the First Class Smoking Room and the Promenade Deck could be found. While B Deck provided access to the Café Parisien, the a la carte restaurant. On C Deck, it was mostly cabins. — Jason Tiller
Stories and Articles
| Title | |
|---|---|
|
Titanica! Senan Molony
What did Titanic's famous grand staircase clock symbolise?
|
|
Kyle Hudak
A tour visual Titanic's Grand Staircase
|