Southampton - page 2

The building that housed the White Star offices is largely intact. The main difference is that the iron fence out front was removed during the WW II scrap drive. That fence held the lists of those saved during the days immediately following the disaster.

Above: The WSL offices on Canute Street are currently vacant. The 1912 photo shows the survivor lists hanging on the iron fence and the building appears little different. The current plans are to turn the building into a pub.

Above: The building next door also appears unchanged. The same flagpole is seen in the upper right of both photos. Mike Rudd is seen waving his hand about the location where the survivor lists seen in the vintage photo would be. Oddly enough, this building is currently a pub.

Above left: The largest and most impressive of the Titanic memorials is the engineer's memorial, dedicated to Chief Engineer Joseph bell and his entire engineering crew, none of whom survived. All are credited as heroes for staying at their posts keeping the lights on and the pumps working to the end. Tom Andrews and two members of the H&W Guaranty Group are also listed. Above right: Right across the street is the Musicians memorial honoring Wallace Hartley and the other 6 musicians that played to the end, helping to prevent panic.

Above is the Merchant Marine seaman's memorial to the other crew members of Titanic (engineers are more of a separate class). This includes the seamen, firemen, stewards, etc. It's currently housed in the ruins of a church bombed out during the war along with Merchant Marine memorials to other periods. The memorial was moved to this location from the park near the engineer's memorial when it was found being used by a hotdog vendor for more space. Above the centerpiece is a carving of Titanic (above right).

The Merchant Marine Museum on the water front is a must see. it includes the wood carving of "Honor and Glory Crowning Time" that stood at the first landing on the grand staircase on Olympic. The other displays are fascinating!

 

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