Forum

[Alan R]

Hi guys-----Sorry chaps, that's my RN background seeping out !! Hello RIGGERS, it's as per IAN's posting....If you turn the ships wheel to alter course by say 10 degrees to Starboard, you are said to have put 10 degrees "on" the wheel.....once you have obtained the new course you then put the wheel back to "amidships" and continue on the new heading.....

[Alan R]

Hello again chaps------------- if you watch the modern film TITANIC, the producers went to a great deal of effort for accuracy...Watch the helmsman when the look-out calls down for "Hard-a port !!" he actually turns the wheel to his right, a practice correct for those times--not left as you would to-day...

[Bullet Whisperer]

I see that the violin played by one of the band members on Titanic as she sank has been found and is to be auctioned. I wonder if this Aussie tycoon will buy it for one of his band members to play - or would that just be asking for trouble? Just wondering. Cheers, Paul.

[John R]

One of the fascinations of the Titanic story is the way in which the ship acted as a microcosm of the British class system. To what extent will passengers role play? Will the Steerage be content to be excluded from contact with First and Second class? On the original ship, I believe first class took up about two thirds of the passenger space. However, the number of first class passengers was so small that this luxury was effectively subsidized by the fares of the other two classes.
Will hopeful Leonardo di Caprios join the ship in hope of getting lucky with Kate Winslett look alikes? Maybe that isn't as ludicrously unlikely as it was in the movie!

[Riggers]

Another fascination - to me - is the number of 'ifs' that came together to cause the disaster (and in this respect I suppose it's the same for any disaster be it bike, car or ship). If the ship had set off 10 minutes later, if the binoculars hadn't been locked away, if the ship had hit the ice head-on instead of a glancing blow, if the engines hadn't been put into full reverse (Alan - why did they do that if you're listening, surely that would have slowed down her turning ability?), if the guy on S.S. California had stayed awake, if the boats had been filled, etc, etc. And yet another which I'm not sure about is the theory that if the captain had ordered 'even flooding' then she might have stayed afloat long enough for the Carpathia to get there in time, instead of breaking her back due to the weight of water forrard. IF any of those 'ifs' had been different probably none of us would have heard of the Titianic! Riggers.

[Alan R]

Hi RIGGERS--------- Her displacement tonnage was in the region of 50,000 TONS !! with an approx top speed of 25 knots ( about 30mph ??) so you can imagine what the momentum of this floating iron palace would be ?? As per modern day bulk carriers you calculate in MILES for manoeuvring or stopping distances... The two 4-cyl. triple expansion engines were rated at 16,000HP each, whilst the centre turbine was also rated at 16,000HP (but was non-reversible)....Bearing in mind that, after clearing harbour restrictions etc.it would take anything up to an hour to attain full speed, you can begin to appreciate just how much effect those two engines in reverse are going to have ------------ NONE whatsoever given the time/distances involved...Have a look at this }------- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Titanic ------------------------ note the "tiny" engines in relation to the whole of the vessel ?? and similarly the minimal area of rudder actually within the sea ??

[hubb]

If you're interested in steam engines and are ever down this way[nr LHR airport]you can see engines similar to those used in the Titanic at the Kempton Steam Engine Trust museum. At 62' tall they are the worlds largest working triple expansion steam engines. Google www.KemptonSteam.org for their website for opening times and 'in steam'weekends. There are some clips of the engine running on youtube. ATB.

[PeteF]

Well, actually, Alan, you need to take the helm off before you achieve your new heading otherwise you overshoot and then you need opposite helm to put it right...etc....etc..etc. (Sorry just being pedantic) A friend of mine has a renovated Humber Keel (Southcliffe, Goole) which came to him with a "tiller" wheel and he finally had to swap the chains over after running into the bank one too many times. He got the hang of it OK but put anyone else on the wheel and............. I didn't have a problem as I'm used to dinghies and narrow boats, in fact I always take a bit of time to get used to wheel steering.

[Alan R]

Hello PETE F}--------yes, it's a bit awkward trying to explain in print what is in essence, a skill acquired through hands-on (joke !!) experience.. Problem with the Grey Funnel line is the helmsman has to await the given order before applying the wheel....and when closed-up at "action stations" in my case, you'd be in the bowels of the vessel in a small cupboard-like room with just the repeater instruments, telegraph, wheel and soundpipe to link you to the Bridge.....We trained on BOSUN's, MIRROR's, ENTERPRISE,s and various clinker-built ship's tender using an Enfield Ho2 diesel (beat you to it GRUNDA !!) and Kitchener Bucket steering... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen_rudder ------------ SORRY, Titanic---- don't sink just yet, we're back on thread now !!

[PeteF]

Yes Allan, the first time I helmed a square-rigged brig I was somewhat alarmed to find I couldn't see where we were going very well. As the Officer of the Watch said, "you're there to do what you're bloody told, not make decisions"
Ah, the Bosun - I heard it was designed by the RN as a training dinghy and to test if it was strong enough they dropped it in the oggin from the deck! Probably just a story.
Strangely we just flogged a Bosun from the sailing club - old as the hills but still sound - just not what you'd call an exciting sail!