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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 4861 Location: Here, There, Everywhere.
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:09 am Post subject: What if? |
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7008300.stm
Here's an interesting "what if" and how things might have turned out differently! A certain Mr. Blair was at fault apparently. Seems to run in the family
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A tiny key that might have helped prevent the Belfast-built Titanic sinking has fetched £90,000 at auction.
The key, with the tag "Crows Nest Telephone Titanic" opened the binoculars store, but was not on the ship when it sailed from Southampton.
It was in the pocket of an officer transferred off the vessel days before its maiden voyage. He forgot to hand it to his replacement as he left.
As a result lookouts had to rely on the naked eye.
One of the lookouts on the Titanic told an inquiry into the sinking that with the binoculars the Titanic might have been able to dodge the iceberg.
On the difference the binoculars might have made, lookout Fred Fleet said: "Well, enough to get out of the way."
Mr Blair was disappointed to be moved off the ship at Southampton, but the transfer saved his life. He kept the key as a memento. _________________ His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west..... |
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 11258 Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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Being a bit of a Titanerac...
I'm surprised at this news as I'm sure one of my old books state that the actual binoculars were not supplied for the maiden voyage. I don't recall reading anything about a key.
That aside, and also refering to old accounts of the Titanic disater, the first sighting of a large berg or "Growler" as they were called was usually the brightness of the berg reflecting the moon's glow.
As there was no moon on this night, the berg would appear black and they could only rely on the lighter water level "splash line" as waves hit the berg and this was practically non existant due to the calm conditions that night....
Maybe the brass key fob has "Made in Hong Kong" on the back.. _________________ Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
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Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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Surely there would have been copies of that key, in case of mislaying the original, even in those days! After all you have two keys when you buy a car! _________________ Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack. |
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