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Travel Logs April 2012

Journey to the Bottom of the Sea: A ‘Titanic’ Adventure

By Sylvia Forbes

The Titanic included a number of amenities never seen before on a ship, including a swimming pool, Turkish baths (saunas), squash courts and a gymnasium, in addition to the library, barbershop and smoking rooms.

Is there any trip that could be as exciting as going to the moon? How about diving more than two miles down to the bottom of the ocean, to view the strange sea creatures that live there, and the sunken shipwrecks strewn across the sea floor? While pressurized underwater sea craft once were only available to ocean scientists, today amateur adventurers can also get in on the excitement of a deep sea dive.

A Sentimental Journey

April 15, 2012, will mark the centennial of the sinking of the Titanic. Many activities are planned to commemorate the event. One, however, is a one-of-a-kind adventure of a lifetime. For a mere $59,900, airfare to Newfoundland not included, intrepid travelers can enjoy a 13-day adventure to travel to the site by boat and dive in a pressurized, submersible craft to view the Titanic firsthand. Deep Ocean Expeditions is the only company in the world that specializes in taking adventurers on thrilling deep sea dives in pressurized, submersible water craft.

The most famous ship in the world hit an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic Sea during its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. On this frigid, moonless night almost 100 years ago, tragedy struck as the iceberg buckled the steel plating on the side of the ship, causing six compartments to flood. The brand new ship, though it incorporated many innovative engineering elements, could not handle flooding in more than four compartments at one time. Adding to the tragedy, the ship did not carry enough lifeboats for all to escape before it sank. For many years afterward, the shipwreck was lost at the bottom of the sea, but an expedition in 1985 uncovered the exact location of the broken remains, 12,460 feet below the water's surface.

Extravagance Extraordinaire

In May, 1911, shipbuilders in Belfast, Ireland, completed the Titanic, built to be the largest and most luxurious ship in the world, at 882 feet 9 inches long, and 59 feet from the water line to the first deck. Every aspect of the ship bespoke opulence and wealth, from the gleaming wood-paneled rooms to the plush carpets. The Titanic included a number of amenities never seen before on a ship, including a swimming pool, Turkish baths (saunas), squash courts and a gymnasium, in addition to the library, barbershop and smoking rooms. The first class grand staircase measured over 60 feet from the lower landing to the glass skylight. A Reading and Writing room included a fireplace complete with blazing fire, while the oak-paneled lounge was decorated with elaborate wooden carvings.

Some of these elements can be seen during the dive. The submersible, made of a special type of steel to withstand immense pressure, will hover over the two sections of the wreck for viewing the decks, promenade, bridge areas, boiler, propeller, and entire debris field, through seven-inch thick Plexiglas portholes. The bow, now encrusted with corals and other sea life, is still quite impressive.

The dive takes almost ten hours, including about two and one-half hours to submerge and re-ascend, along with several hours for exploration. At this depth, the ocean is pitch black, and viewing is possible only by shining lights on the wreck. The interior of the submersible is only seven feet in diameter, fitting three people snugly. Air pressure inside is stabilized at one atmosphere, but in traveling such cold water, the air temperature drops to about 54 degrees.

After the return to the surface, travelers are treated to a hot sauna and a chef-prepared meal.

Titanic Museum Attractions

Titanic Museum Attractions, which runs Titanic museums in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri, has organized several events to commemorate the centennial of the Titanic.

  • Rose-petal remembrance. For the next several months, every visitor who visits either museum can participate in a tribute to the passengers and crew by depositing a rose petal into a container in the Memorial Gallery. On April 15, 2012 – exactly 100 years after the RMS Titanic sank – the rose petals will be spread on the water at the Titanic's location.
  • Appearances by relatives. Many descendants of Titanic passengers and crew members will travel from all around the world to appear at the two Titanic museums throughout 2012.
  • Candlelight Service. On April 14 and 15, 2012, a tribute will include with a candlelight service honoring those aboard the Titanic.

Titanic in 3-D

Opening at theaters on Friday, April 6, 2012, will be the re-release of James Cameron’s blockbuster movie “Titanic,” this time in 3-D. In coordination with the movie release, both Titanic museums will open new galleries featuring costumes worn by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as many recognizable props used in the movie.

Several television shows about the Titanic are also scheduled to be aired next spring. ABC will show a four-part miniseries, and John Joslyn, owner of Titanic Museum Attractions, will re-release his Titanic television documentaries.

Titanic Today

Would you have been daring enough to sail on the maiden voyage of the Titanic? And are you daring enough to visit today, 12,000 feet under the sea? If you are, visit http://www.deepoceanexpeditions.com/ for details of what could be an amazing adventure.

 

Sylvia Forbes delights in exploring the planet and discovering what makes each place unique. She writes about her discoveries from Missouri.