A hundred years ago this week the Western World gave a collective shudder on hearing news that the Titanic, the largest and most modern of all ocean going liners, had foundered on her maiden voyage.
That this ship, built by Harland and Wolffe in Belfast, should be declared unsinkable was symptomatic of the hubris of the age.
Her doom also presaged the calamity of the First World War and the decline of the British Empire.
Stories abound, too numerous to cover in this short series, but enough to unearth signs of foreboding for those discerning enough to perceive.
I like the one of the lady who, looking up at the towering bulk of the ship docked in Southampton, wondered to a steward how she would fare on the high seas. She was offered the following assurance:
"Safe, Madam,safe! God Himself could not sink that ship!"
Upon that guarantee she promptly turned round and cancelled her ticket and within a week lived to hear of a different opinion.
Ian
No comments:
Post a Comment