It was all about the view

Thomas boarded his ship, yes, it was his. He spent a little over two years doing nothing but thinking of every detail and dreaming of this very day. The day when his life’s work would finally be reviled to the world. He knew every inch of this 882-foot ship, inside and out. He knew it took 825 tons of coal per day to fuel the 3 engines. And that it could go an impressive 23 knots but the Titanic wasn’t built for speed, she was built for comfort.

The Titanic included 840 rooms. 416 in first-class, each with a different theme, and decorated with the finest furnishings. China, linens, a writing desk, and each with their own private restroom. You couldn’t help feeling like royalty when stepping into one of these rooms.

Ten decks offered unlimited places to enjoy the fresh air. Boasting wide open dining and entertainment spaces for eating, music, and dancing. There are times guests were so entranced they forget they were on a 900-ton moving masterpiece. The 4 funnels overheard added to the allure of this powerful ship; although only 3 of them are actually functional. Thomas loved this fact and enjoyed telling anyone that would listen about how it was added for aesthetics only.

It was four days into the journey when the ships safety was called into question. Thomas was not worried. After all this was called the “unsinkable ship” and there were many precautions put in place. When the ice burg was struck Thomas knew any leak would be contained in the hull by the 16-water tight compartments. Feeling at ease he was shocked by the scene on deck. People were already being loaded into the lifeboats. The amount of hysteria in Thomas’s opinion was just too much. He could not understand why people were fighting to get into lifeboats. Surly they were safer here until help came. After all the crew would radio for help. Thomas had chosen the best wireless radio system, the Marconi, for the Titanic. Passengers were enthralled with it since they left the dock sending and receiving messages from their families.

Wanting to find out what was happening Thomas started to go below to get a look at how the damage was being contained. As he descended the stairs he was flooded by waves of people pushing past him. He tried to remain calm, as he went lower he found that the water was getting higher. Confused by what he was seeing he kept going. Why was there so much water? None of this was making sense. The water tight doors should be keeping it in the containers and stopping it from spreading. Thomas came to the bottom step of the last deck and as he turned he thought this isn’t supposed to be happening.

He was transported back to his office when they were planning the ships interior spaces. The issue was the beams that went from the hull to the top of the ship. They cut into the luxurious open spaces they wanted to make a statement with. Thomas could not have all those ugly beams running thru the middle of the dining and dance halls. It would have compromised the views and the grandeur of the space. Not the mention where would they have but the grand staircase with all of that in the way.

Thomas stumbled his way back onto the upper deck and stood in horror watching the scene unfold. He knew they would not have much time, they were already starting to lean heavily to one side. Their only hope now was to get as many people as possible into the lifeboats. But he knew there were not enough of them. He had argued for more, but there were only 20. More and the stunning view would have been compromised. All of these lives, lost for the sake of beauty. So, we could boast about its grandeur and luxury and sell more tickets. As she broke in two and started to slip under the water Thomas was hit by the icy water. The shock of it made him aware of everything in that those last moments. He was calm and clear. It was like someone muted the volume of the people screaming around him. He heard nothing but the water, and as he looked up at the stars in the sky his last thoughts were peaceful. He created his dream. The Titanic may have only sailed for four days but it would always be remembered and that was enough for him.