White Star Line

[beatlebangs1964]

Does anybody know about some of the places Harold Sr. sailed when he was with the White Star Line? An oft told story was that he told his then future fiancee that he was shipping out to Africa the following morning and was bringing back a bottle of scent (perfume).

A recent article with an interview with Olivia reveals that Harold Sr. filled young George's mind with images of tropical settings. And what information does anybody here have about the White Star Line and the responsibilities a ship's steward would have with them?

[ABCKO]

Does anybody know about some of the places Harold Sr. sailed when he was with the White Star Line? An oft told story was that he told his then future fiancee that he was shipping out to Africa the following morning and was bringing back a bottle of scent (perfume).

A recent article with an interview with Olivia reveals that Harold Sr. filled young George's mind with images of tropical settings. And what information does anybody here have about the White Star Line and the responsibilities a ship's steward would have with them?

Wasn't one of the White Star Line's ships... the Titanic ?

[kmac]

Wasn't one of the White Star Line's ships... the Titanic ?

Yes.

[kmac]

Apart from the White Star Line Wiki, here is some background of the company:

White Star Line (http://www.titanic-titanic.com/white_star_line.shtml)

And the Duties of a Ship Steward:

http://www.usmm.net/steward.html

[beatlebangs1964]

This is very interesting history and information. Thank you. :smile1:

[ABCKO]

The often-not-mentionned bit of trivia that I like is that the Titaniv had two sister ships (built at the same time), the "Olympic" and the "Gigantic", which was leter re-named the "Briannic".

Neither faired much better then their famous sister...

1911: The Olympic collided with a British war ship and barely made it back to Southampton for repairs... and guess who was in command of the Olympic at the time? Yyep, Captain Edward Smith, who'd later be Captain of the Titanic on her first, and only, voyage less then one year later ! *

* Geez, I guess that this guy must have been the "Captain Joseph Hazelwood (Exxon Valdes)" of the 1910's ! LOL

During WWI, the Olympic was used to tranport troops and in 1918, it rammed and sunk... a german U-Boot !

1934: Back to civilian service, the Olympic collides (by accident this time...) with the Nantucket Lightship, breaks it in half, and it sinks it (seven dead) !

1914: The Britannic (Gigantic) is requisitionned by the British Navy to be used as a medical ship... but in 1916 it strikes a mine and sinks within 55 minutes !

... "only" 33 people died, crushed by the Britanic's own propellers !

[beatlebangs1964]

I wonder if Harold Sr. was the mess man (food guy); the room dude or the utility man or all of the above. I also wonder where he traveled during his seaman days.

[El Gos Coix]

The often-not-mentionned bit of trivia that I like is that the Titaniv had two sister ships (built at the same time), the "Olympic" and the "Gigantic", which was leter re-named the "Briannic".

Neither faired much better then their famous sister...

1911: The Olympic collided with a British war ship and barely made it back to Southampton for repairs... and guess who was in command of the Olympic at the time? Yyep, Captain Edward Smith, who'd later be Captain of the Titanic on her first, and only, voyage less then one year later ! *

* Geez, I guess that this guy must have been the "Captain Joseph Hazelwood (Exxon Valdes)" of the 1910's ! LOL

During WWI, the Olympic was used to tranport troops and in 1918, it rammed and sunk... a german U-Boot !

1934: Back to civilian service, the Olympic collides (by accident this time...) with the Nantucket Lightship, breaks it in half, and it sinks it (seven dead) !

1914: The Britannic (Gigantic) is requisitionned by the British Navy to be used as a medical ship... but in 1916 it strikes a mine and sinks within 55 minutes !

... "only" 33 people died, crushed by the Britanic's own propellers !


LOL and LOL and LOL.


I would also like to know more about Harold's duties on board. I've always wondered where he went, what he saw, whether he sent postcards, what stories he must have told back home...

I've also liked very much that information about White Star Line and the duties of a steward. Very interesting.

[beatlebangs1964]

Coix, I've wondered the same thing. No doubt Harold, Sr. traveled far and wide and he filled George's young mind with idyllic images of tropical voyages. This left such an impression on George that he would, decades later have a home built in an idyllic part of Australia.

For years I've wondered where Harold, Sr. traveled and what his job entailed on that ship.