A Resolute Chorale
Despite the Titanic’s tragic destiny, the ship’s band remained dedicated to bringing solace to the ship’s bereaved passengers. Following the collision with the iceberg, Wallace Hartley’s octet played an eclectic mix of music, ranging from hymns to ragtime pieces, for over two hours. Cellist J. Wesley Woodward (pictured) was among those who performed until the ship’s dying moments, earning them the title of heroes. In his 1997 film “Titanic,” director James Cameron immortalized the musicians’ daring performance as a touching display of bravery and dedication.
An Inauspicious Beginning
Even before her terrible first voyage, the Titanic, a gorgeous vessel that epitomized richness and individuality, met a tragic end. Eight laborers perished in separate accidents during its construction, leaving a sorrowful legacy that was almost forgotten. Only the names of five of the deceased workers were recorded, though. Despite the passage of time, their memory lives on in the form of a Belfast plaque installed in 2012 to remember their contribution to the ship’s construction and the sacrifice they made in her conception. Surprisingly, the ship’s designers used about three million rivets in its hull, which would have taken 100 years to drill and install by hand.
An Inauspicious Beginning
