Sunday, April 15, 2012

Titanic Memorial

Titanic Memorial, Southampton

Arthur Gordon McCrae, Australian Titanic Victim

Arthur Gordon McCrae's Grave

The handsome, smartly dressed man looked forward to his trip on the great ship, Titanic.  Arthur Gordon McCrae, a young engineer, wanted to meet his friends in Canada.

He was only 32 but he'd led an interesting life which had taken him a long way from home.  McCrae was the grandson of Georgiana McCrae, a talented author and artist who emigrated to Australia with her husband, Andrew.  She was also the illegitimate daughter of the 5th Duke of Gordon.  (NB: I read her journal recently which I enjoyed very much). 

Born in Adelaide, McCrae attended Sydney Grammar School and graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Sydney.  After graduating the young man decided to go in search of adventure.  He worked at a gold-mine in West Africa.  After this he travelled to Siberia where he became the assistant manager of the Spasky copper mine in Akmolinsk, Siberia.  He became engaged to the daughter of the mine manager.

Sadly, McCrae's voyage would be his last.  He was one of the over 1000 passengers who died on that fateful voyage.  Arthur Gordon McCrae is buried in Fairview Cemetary, Halifax, Nova Scotia under a large Celtic cross, a long way from home.

News

Steven Rafter has written a novel about Arthur Gordon McCrae.  Read about it here: 209: A Story

Monday, April 9, 2012

TITANIC SERIES, Part One

TITANIC MEMORIAL VOYAGE 2012

Would you like to go on a Titanic Memorial Voyage?  I think that I'd find it a bit creepy, but I also think that it's a lovely way in which to pay tribute to those who died on the great ship.

The Balmoral has set off on her memorial voyage with people from over 28 countries aboard, including about 300 Australians.  Many of the 1309 passengers are descendants of the passengers on the Titanic.  (The Titanic also had 1309 passengers).

The passengers, including a few happy children, set off excitedly.  Many of them dressed in Edwardian costume for the occasion, including one who looked extremely smart in a replica of Kate Winslett's beautiful 'boarding dress' in the 1997 film.

A candlelit dinner and a memorial service will be held when the ship sails over the exact spot in the Atlantic where the great ship sank.

Read more here: Titanic Memorial Voyage