April 14, 2012 - A date with history
August 15, 2010 9:12 PM Subscribe
Relatives of the passengers, survivors, and crew of the RMS Titanic are planning a Centenary Cruise on April 8th, 2012, 100 years after the sailing of the ill-fated liner. (The actual centenary of the sailing is April 10th.)
The BBC archives have put up some audio recordings of survivors, dating as far back as 1936, including interviews with Charles Lightoller, Second officer, and Joseph Boxhall, the Titanic's 4th officer.
The BBC archives have put up some audio recordings of survivors, dating as far back as 1936, including interviews with Charles Lightoller, Second officer, and Joseph Boxhall, the Titanic's 4th officer.
I'm prince of the world!
posted by Babblesort at 9:26 PM on August 15, 2010
posted by Babblesort at 9:26 PM on August 15, 2010
ill-fated liner? What happened?
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 9:28 PM on August 15, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 9:28 PM on August 15, 2010 [7 favorites]
What could possibly go wrong?
posted by pompomtom at 9:34 PM on August 15, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by pompomtom at 9:34 PM on August 15, 2010 [3 favorites]
Googling 'titanic relatives tempt fate' currently returns about 327,000 results but I'm sure the closer we get to the date, it will be quite a bit more.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:38 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:38 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
That sounds like a great idea.
posted by LordSludge at 9:40 PM on August 15, 2010
posted by LordSludge at 9:40 PM on August 15, 2010
Aliens vs. Predator vs. Titanic
posted by mannequito at 9:48 PM on August 15, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by mannequito at 9:48 PM on August 15, 2010 [3 favorites]
ill-fated liner? What happened?
Major leak.
Meanwhile...
posted by pracowity at 10:06 PM on August 15, 2010
Major leak.
Meanwhile...
posted by pracowity at 10:06 PM on August 15, 2010
I gotta feel sorry for these people. They want to have a serious remembrance of this tragic & historic event, but all anybody will ever hear of it is in the context of a joke.
posted by scalefree at 10:13 PM on August 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by scalefree at 10:13 PM on August 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
This time, Billy Zane gets his very own lifeboat.
posted by Dr. Zira at 10:14 PM on August 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Dr. Zira at 10:14 PM on August 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
I normally do not consider myself superstitious, but there is no way in hell you could get me on this cruise. Let me repeat that for clarity: NO WAY IN HELL.
posted by MasonDixon at 10:16 PM on August 15, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by MasonDixon at 10:16 PM on August 15, 2010 [4 favorites]
No spoilers.
posted by mhoye at 10:19 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by mhoye at 10:19 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
all anybody will ever hear of it is in the context of a joke.
Too soon?
I'm sure lots of people will be quite solemn in the appropriate contexts. This thread isn't one of them.
posted by pracowity at 10:25 PM on August 15, 2010
Too soon?
I'm sure lots of people will be quite solemn in the appropriate contexts. This thread isn't one of them.
posted by pracowity at 10:25 PM on August 15, 2010
The grandson of the "Oh, the humanity" guy will emcee.
posted by codswallop at 10:38 PM on August 15, 2010
posted by codswallop at 10:38 PM on August 15, 2010
Well, this thread's sinking quickly.
posted by secret about box at 10:39 PM on August 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by secret about box at 10:39 PM on August 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Somewhere else: relatives of passengers on the Hindenburg...
posted by BurN_ at 10:47 PM on August 15, 2010
posted by BurN_ at 10:47 PM on August 15, 2010
They want to have a serious remembrance of this tragic & historic event, but all anybody will ever hear of it is in the context of a joke.
Well they could very have a gala at the Hilton rather than go halfway toward re-enacting the damn thing. How did they even get the survivors to go along with this?
"Yeah, we'd like to have a remembrance for the families of those involved in the RMS Titanic sinking. Would you like to join us?"
"Oh, I'd love to, where is it?"
"On a giant cruise ship. In fact, it's very similar to the one that sank and drowned your relatives."
"Delightful! When is it?"
"Oh, just about a hundred years to they day. We thought that date would be particularly auspicious."
"Well, I'm in. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?"
posted by griphus at 10:54 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
Well they could very have a gala at the Hilton rather than go halfway toward re-enacting the damn thing. How did they even get the survivors to go along with this?
"Yeah, we'd like to have a remembrance for the families of those involved in the RMS Titanic sinking. Would you like to join us?"
"Oh, I'd love to, where is it?"
"On a giant cruise ship. In fact, it's very similar to the one that sank and drowned your relatives."
"Delightful! When is it?"
"Oh, just about a hundred years to they day. We thought that date would be particularly auspicious."
"Well, I'm in. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?"
posted by griphus at 10:54 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
I guess this will be the second-most erotic moment of their lives?
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:59 PM on August 15, 2010
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:59 PM on August 15, 2010
Bruce Willis will be on the ship this time, and will drill into the iceberg and blast it to YIPPEE-KI-YAY MOTHERFUCKER ice-cubes for cocktails. As soon as this potential disaster is avoided, he will discover Fucking Snakes on the Fucking Ship! Once he is done with that...
posted by vidur at 11:21 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by vidur at 11:21 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
The same activists who are working to keep a Mosque from being built anywhere near "Ground Zero" are demanding that all beverages served aboard the Titanic Tribute Cruise have NO ice.
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:29 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:29 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
You know, there's tempting fate, and there's, to steal a phrase from Terry Pratchett, dancing in a thunderstorm wearing copper armor and waving a huge sword and shouting "All gods are bastards!"
posted by Pope Guilty at 11:47 PM on August 15, 2010 [16 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 11:47 PM on August 15, 2010 [16 favorites]
Good thing for mefi there's no Satriani soundtrack.
posted by cucumber at 11:55 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by cucumber at 11:55 PM on August 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
They could all just go for dinner at this place of questionable taste.
posted by goshling at 11:58 PM on August 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by goshling at 11:58 PM on August 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
They could all just go for dinner at this place of questionable taste.
I love their description of how the night will go:
"Ice warnings are heard then the unthinkable happens! Titanic is mortally wounded, the S.O.S. is going out! Fortunately the Carpathia arrives to rescue us all! We dock safely in New York, and then it's every man for himself on the dance floor."
posted by Catseye at 12:10 AM on August 16, 2010
I love their description of how the night will go:
"Ice warnings are heard then the unthinkable happens! Titanic is mortally wounded, the S.O.S. is going out! Fortunately the Carpathia arrives to rescue us all! We dock safely in New York, and then it's every man for himself on the dance floor."
posted by Catseye at 12:10 AM on August 16, 2010
Will they have an "arranging deck chairs" competition?
posted by three blind mice at 2:01 AM on August 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by three blind mice at 2:01 AM on August 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
"Book now! Nothing can go wrong amiriite?"
I would personally love to sell them travel insurance... or take anyone's bet as to whether they'll actually sink again.
posted by markkraft at 2:22 AM on August 16, 2010
I would personally love to sell them travel insurance... or take anyone's bet as to whether they'll actually sink again.
posted by markkraft at 2:22 AM on August 16, 2010
Hell, if I were one of the passengers, I would especially like to take bets.
It's not as though they'd have to pay off either way... right?!
posted by markkraft at 2:23 AM on August 16, 2010
It's not as though they'd have to pay off either way... right?!
posted by markkraft at 2:23 AM on August 16, 2010
I'm still waiting to hear the full story about this from the iceberg's point of view.
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:40 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:40 AM on August 16, 2010
Featuring the musical stylings of Lynyrd Skynryd for your listening and dancing pleasure.
posted by hal9k at 4:01 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by hal9k at 4:01 AM on August 16, 2010
My great, great aunt was in lifeboat #8. This April I will be living in England. If tickets are anywhere near 1912 prices, I'm gonna see if I can tempt that fate!
posted by iamkimiam at 4:05 AM on August 16, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by iamkimiam at 4:05 AM on August 16, 2010 [6 favorites]
Also, what a great way to spend my 33rd birthday. That's right, two 3's. What could possibly go wrong?
posted by iamkimiam at 4:06 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by iamkimiam at 4:06 AM on August 16, 2010
It's cool, though, because global warming took care of all the icebergs.
posted by jackflaps at 5:36 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by jackflaps at 5:36 AM on August 16, 2010
I wonder if they didn't pick the exact date because of superstition.
posted by danb at 6:08 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by danb at 6:08 AM on August 16, 2010
What are you all worried about? They're going on a modern-day ocean liner. God, Himself couldn't sink one of those ships.
posted by Optamystic at 6:20 AM on August 16, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by Optamystic at 6:20 AM on August 16, 2010 [4 favorites]
Well, that Donner reunion trip ended well, so I might as well see if I can't get on-board with this one.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:34 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by Thorzdad at 6:34 AM on August 16, 2010
Holy crap that's expensive! Maybe I could go as a handmaid to one of the first class passengers, just like she did. We were about the same age, too. Think there's anybody on that boat who will want to sponsor me? I'll learn to sew and everything!
posted by iamkimiam at 7:21 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by iamkimiam at 7:21 AM on August 16, 2010
Here's the trailer for the above-mentioned Titanic II.
posted by phunniemee at 7:21 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by phunniemee at 7:21 AM on August 16, 2010
Or, keeping with the times, I could be their personal assistant and blogger.
posted by iamkimiam at 7:21 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by iamkimiam at 7:21 AM on August 16, 2010
Because you know the ship will have Wi-Fi. It has to.
posted by iamkimiam at 7:22 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by iamkimiam at 7:22 AM on August 16, 2010
Not a good idea, but another great movie if it sinks. Will there be steerage?
I think they should advertise as eminently sinkable, just to not tempt the Fates.
posted by mermayd at 8:28 AM on August 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
I think they should advertise as eminently sinkable, just to not tempt the Fates.
posted by mermayd at 8:28 AM on August 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
What are you all worried about? They're going on a modern-day ocean liner. God, Himself couldn't sink one of those ships.
That doesn't mean some sick fuck with some Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslett obsession won't try any funny business just to make the whole deal more "significant." Or maybe this time, there'll be pirates.
Oh, and eponysterical, Optamystic
posted by The Potate at 8:40 AM on August 16, 2010
That doesn't mean some sick fuck with some Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslett obsession won't try any funny business just to make the whole deal more "significant." Or maybe this time, there'll be pirates.
Oh, and eponysterical, Optamystic
posted by The Potate at 8:40 AM on August 16, 2010
Headline: struck by huge manatee.
posted by zippy at 9:18 AM on August 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by zippy at 9:18 AM on August 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
Wasn't this a plot for a really bad 80's time travel movie?
posted by quarsan at 11:56 AM on August 16, 2010
posted by quarsan at 11:56 AM on August 16, 2010
My God, that is a goldmine for pranksters. The joy one would get from waking everyone up at midnight to scream that the ship is going down would pay for the ticket price alone.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 2:18 PM on August 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Solon and Thanks at 2:18 PM on August 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
I don't think the survivors are too freaked out because, you know, cruise ship, communication, and rescue technologies have all improved significantly in the past 100 years.
posted by elpea at 9:00 PM on August 16, 2010
posted by elpea at 9:00 PM on August 16, 2010
That doesn't mean some sick fuck with some Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslett obsession won't try any funny business just to make the whole deal more "significant." Or maybe this time, there'll be pirates.
True...but I was referencing the famous statement allegedly made by the President of White Star Lines in 1912, though apparently, it never happened, so, um, nevermind.
posted by Optamystic at 2:06 AM on August 17, 2010
True...but I was referencing the famous statement allegedly made by the President of White Star Lines in 1912, though apparently, it never happened, so, um, nevermind.
posted by Optamystic at 2:06 AM on August 17, 2010
Solon and Thanks: "My God, that is a goldmine for pranksters. The joy one would get from waking everyone up at midnight to scream that the ship is going down would pay for the ticket price alone."
Except for the fact that many of the people are there to commemorate the death of their family members by the sinking of that ship.
posted by iamkimiam at 6:24 AM on August 17, 2010
Except for the fact that many of the people are there to commemorate the death of their family members by the sinking of that ship.
posted by iamkimiam at 6:24 AM on August 17, 2010
Ha! I love ambiguously parseable sentences. It sounds like I'm saying that the family members will sink this ship too, you know, for old time's sake. Which, I guess in that case, would make midnight panics most welcome.
posted by iamkimiam at 6:34 AM on August 17, 2010
posted by iamkimiam at 6:34 AM on August 17, 2010
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posted by The Whelk at 9:14 PM on August 15, 2010 [4 favorites]