REMEMBER THE TITANIC?
Ó 1976 & 2008 by David
L. Brown
April 15, 1912 was a tragic day in maritime
history. April 15, 2008 marks the 96th anniversary of the
20th century’s most catastrophic shipping calamity. At 2:40 a.m. the
"unsinkable" luxurious White Star Liner, Titanic, pride of the
British merchant fleet, plunged to its watery grave becoming a
humungous coffin for 1,517 perplexed people.
Too many have an errant, even flippant view of
God. One crewmember brazenly stated, "Not even God could sink
this ship!" It was commonly stated that the ship was "unsinkable."
This was the selling point of all the promoters. After all, it was
the world’s largest vessel in 1912: 882 ½ feet long, weighing 46,328
tons, with a double bottom of 5 to 6 feet thick to insure added
safety.
 Thirty-two-year veteran E.J. Smith, the Titanic
captain, stated, "I cannot imagine any condition that would cause
the ship to founder. I cannot imagine any disaster happening to this
vessel. Modern shipbuilding has gone beyond that."
People would have harangued anyone as a lunatic
who would have said the Titanic would sink on her maiden voyage. It
was a known "fact" that the only way possible she would sink would
be if both keel plates on her double bottom hull were torn at least
half her length. The odds of that happening were too high to figure!
Especially considering there were 30 watertight compartments
designed to prevent that from ever happening. Adding to the air of
security, or might I say false security, was the presumptuous talk
that the 46,328 ton Titanic traveling at 18 knots could slice
through anything without sinking.
The Titanic has received worldwide publicity,
with the owners, designers, builders, captain, crew and news media
proclaiming it as the safest, most luxurious attraction ever. They
made it seem as if it were the Eighth Wonder of the World and
a first class booking cost like it also. The best accommodations
were reserved for $4,350, while the less expensive first-class rooms
were a mere $2,300. That was a BIG PRICE back then.
For that money, you might guess the class of people that were
attracted to an expensive "unsinkable" ship offering the plushest
transatlantic accommodations in the world. The tall, 48-year-old
John Jacob Astor IV was probably the most renowned. If not, he was
at least the riches, worth some $150 million. His wealth included
companies still known today: Western Union, The Equitable Life
Assurance Company, and Mercantile Trust Company. At 48 he took
Madeline, his bride of 19, and reserved the best of accommodations
on the Titanic as the final leg of a trip from Egypt. He never
stepped foot on dry land again after boarding at Southhampton,
England although his wife escaped the watery grave and later gave
birth to his son, John Jacob Astor V.
Benjamin Guggenheim, age 47, was worth $95
million. Jay Bruce Ismay of International Mercantile Marine Company
and White Star Line chairman was on board with his wife and
children. He was worth about $40 million and he wanted everyone to
know it. His wife was a "display piece" for his wealth. It is said
that one string of her pearls was worth $250,000.
Among the noted Americans on the Titanic was
Major Archibald Butt. He had been military aide to the 25th
president, Theodore Roosevelt and at the time was returning to
Washington from a visit to Italy and specially visiting the Vatican
on behalf of President Taft. Butt was serving President Taft as
military aide also.
There was Isidor Straus, an elderly Bavarian Jew
who made his fortune in commerce and banking. He was also a partner
with R. H. Macy in New York City’s famous store by the latter name.
He was returning from the Rivera. It is said he was worth
$50,000,000.
Great men of industry, commerce and finance, as
well as a sprinkling of aristocrats of Europe, held prime places on
the Titanic. Leading theatrical and motion picture figures, a
renowned American publisher, a British journalist, a famous
metallurgical engineer, a fashion designer and dozens of other
celebrities were aboard. Such great wealth and fashion; the women
outstandingly arrayed in the finest Parisian gowns, shimmering with
enough jewels to sink a lifeboat. The rich and famous, as well as
hundreds of average people like Lawrence Beesley, a London
schoolmaster going to visit his brother in America, did not have the
slightest inkling of the tragic disaster they would encounter at 41°
46′ N. and 50° 14′W.
Amid the swimming pool, Turkish baths, library
and reading room, gymnasium, miniature golf course, child’s
playroom, tennis courts, restaurants, ballrooms, tailor shops, dress
shops and palm-lined courts, people had no time to be interrupted
from their amusement. Wallace Hartley and his eight-man orchestra
often captivated the attention of the passengers with light waltzes
and American Rag Time. An electric camel, horse, 16 pianos and a
"hospital equipped with an operating room" testified to the
extravagant heights White Star Lines had gone to quench the thirst
for pleasure and amusement of the rich. She even published her own
magazine enroute – "The Atlantic Daily Bulletin".
The alarming truth is that a fire was burning in
number 6 coal bunker when they left Southhampton. In fact there was
a near disaster when the Titanic pulled away from port because it
displaced such an immense volume of water in such a restricted area
that it caused a powerful suction, which combined with an offshore
breeze dragged the ship the New York from her berth,
snapped her mooring lines and a collision between the two was missed
by just a matter of inches! Adding further to the danger, it was
discovered after the Titanic was under way that there were no
binoculars in the crow’s nest with which to watch and spot danger
more easily.
There was a fourth problem. The accounts that I
have found set the number of people, in total, from 2,222 to 2,340.
There were 20 lifeboats with a capacity of 58 each. That meant there
was room for 1,160 if each boat were filled to capacity.
The fifth problem was bad seamanship. Despite all
urgent warnings of ice by radio and signal lamp, the Titanic, in
hopes of an early arrival in New York harbor, sailed at near top
speed of 22 ½ knots, into slushy iceberg infested waters.
On that cloudless, breezeless night of April 14,
1912 with only the stars for light, the Titanic rammed a huge
iceberg, which ripped a 300-foot gash into the one side of the
"unsinkable" ship. Lady Cosmo Duff Gordon, in her stately room, was
awaken by the jolt and was quoted to have said, "It seemed as though
somebody had drawn a giant finger along the side of the ship". Many
were so busy the jar went unnoticed.
 By 12:10 a.m., April 15, Thomas Andrews, the
Chief designer of the Titanic had informed Captain Smith the ship
had incurred some serious damage, but there was no need to alarm the
people. The crew was notified and ordered to uncover the lifeboats
and distribute life vests. Many refused to put on the vests, saying
they didn’t want to ruffle their gowns with those dirty vests! John
Jacob Astor was asked where his life vest was and he replied, "I
didn’t think I needed it"!
At 12.45 a.m. Captain Smith ordered an S.O.S.
flair fired but no assistance would come after many firings. The
call was given – "To The Life Boats…women and children first" but
people had been brainwashed by the pompous publicity – "Unsinkable",
and the cries for the most part were not taken seriously. The truth
is that many lifeboats pulled away with only a dozen or so people in
them while the capacity was 58. One story has it that people were
chipping off hunks of icebergs and having snowball fights on deck.
At 1:30 a.m. a series of explosions turned the
dream cruise into a nightmare. People were shocked into the reality
of impending disaster. The stampede was on. A few men were said to
have disguised themselves as women in an effort to get in the
lifeboats.
There were men on the Titanic that day that could
have bought it, but in those last moments they did not have enough
money to buy a seat in the lifeboat.
Some say 705 lived to tell of the terrible
tragedy. The British Government said 1,490 people perished. The
British Board of Trade said 1,503 and the U.S. Senate Investigating
Committee said 1,517. That figure is probably the most accurate.
Eyewitnesses say that the partings were
horrible…children snatched from parents and thrown into lifeboats.
Women torn from their husbands by ship stewards and placed screaming
into the boats.
One eyewitness said a man was holding his
12-year-old son. Many came and begged him to let the boy loose and
put him into the boat. The man tried to push his son away several
times but the little boy would not release his grip from his dad.
At 2:40 a.m., April 15, 1912, as the band played
the Episcopal Hymn, Autumn: "All against my soul combined,
Hold me up in mighty waters, keep my eyes on things above,
Righteousness, divine atonement, peace, and everlasting love", as
the Titanic slipped beneath the icy waters, 1,600 miles from New
York City, off the Banks of Newfoundland. It came to rest in 16,500
feet of water.
Those drifting in lifeboats heard the calls of
those left struggling in the sea. The Third Officer, Herbert Jolin
Pitman testified at the Senatorial inquest, after burying his head
in his hands and sobbing – "Sir, you asked about the screams…it was
just one long, continuous moan!" some lifeboat groups rowed
frantically in an effort to get away from the terrible sound. Some
tried singing, some plugged their ears, some just rowed.
 The "Unsinkable" ship sunk on her maiden voyage,
becoming a gigantic gloomy sepulcher for 1,517 people.
1. "Not even God can sink this ship" was a
seaman’s rash remark. Men throughout the ages have endeavored to
demonstrate their independence from God and even think themselves
equal with God Almighty. The sailor’s remark was a flippant one,
probably made in jest. Many today feel they are "above" relying on
the Lord. The Bible reminds us, "Pride goeth before destruction,
and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble
spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
(Proverbs 16:18-19) I do not believe God sank the Titanic, but I
believe He allowed it to happen. We are also reminded, "Be not
deceived; God is not mocked: For whatsoever a man soweth that shall
he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the
Spirit reap life everlasting." (Galatians 6:7-8) Despite the
claims of the designers, builders, owners, captain, crew and news
media, that the Titanic was unsinkable, in essence claiming, "Lord,
we will care for ourselves, we do not need Your protection or help,
we are the masters of our own destiny and captains of our fate", the
ship sank. After all these years the incident is a lamentable and
catastrophic reminder to the world that we still need God.
2. There is more to life than luxury. The
Titanic had the grandest accommodations. There were none better in
the world…tennis courts, bars, ballrooms, dining rooms, gambling
dens, an elevator and plush cabin accommodations. Those securely
resting in the comfort and luxury of the palatial surroundings found
too late that the builders had furnished much for self-gratification
and enjoyment in life, but little for saving it. There were 20
lifeboats with a capacity of 58 each on the Titanic. There were no
crew members assigned to man the lifeboats in an emergency. The
lifeboats contained no provisions, no fresh water, and some had no
plugs in the water drains. The Bible says, "But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be
added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) The age in which we live offers
many luxuries to strive for and enjoy. Most get an education, get a
job, get married, buy a home, have a family and continue to work,
striving to acquire enough earthly things and to be set by the time
they retire. Then they die. If there has been no "seeking God" their
situation is hopeless for all of eternity. They cannot take a single
cent to the grave with them. Are you prepared for eternity?
3. The worthlessness of money in the light of
eternity. There were men aboard the Titanic who could have
bought her. But in those last sinking moments their entire fortunes
were not enough to by a seat in a lifeboat. Remember the words of
Mark in his gospel – "For, what shall it profit a man, if he
shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a
man give in exchange for his soul:" (Mark 8:36-37)
Friend, if you are without Christ as your
personal Saviour, it is like being on the Titanic with no room in
the lifeboat. Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the
Life; No man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
(Acts 4:12) "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: But he
that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John
3:18) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall
be saved." (Romans 10:13)
Have you ever called on Christ Jesus and asked
Him to forgive your sin and come into your life as Saviour? Would
you like to? Why not pray this simple prayer of acceptance? "Lord…I
know that I am a sinner, and that I deserve to go to Hell, but I now
believe that Christ died for me, and now by faith receive Him as my
personal Saviour and Lord."
4. The Alternative…
If you were to die tonight without Christ, what
would be your fate? Remember Third Office Pitman’s testimony
relating to the sounds as the Titanic slipped to its watery grave –
"Sir, it was just one long, continuous moan!" Hell will be like
that… "There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
(Matthew 13:42) Do not sink in your sin…Repent of your sin and reach
out to the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
 |
"Neither
is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved."