Guide Line Review

THE "UNSINKABLE . . ."

Margaret Brown (Janet Kalstrom, Molly Brown House docent) she shared events about her life while guiding us on a brief tour.  She knew and could interpret Russian, German, Italian, French, and Spanish.  James Joseph Brown (J.J.), her husband, had acquired his wealth through the Little Jonny Mine in Leadville.  He purchased the house from Isaac Large who had lost his fortune in the 1893 Silver Crash.  The Brown family members were: children Larry and Helen, James Joseph and Margaret.

As an upper middle class woman, Margaret employed several women as servants.  She, a single woman, had come from Hannibal, Missouri, following her brother Daniel to Leadville in 1886; there she met J.J.  

In the front entry to their home, the ceiling light is original; others in the house are of that period.  In the Library, encyclopedias were original; all other books are of that period.  In the dining room hangs a Belgian tapestry, cut in half and framed! The dining room ceiling has a flux ceiling representing a Conservatory painted on the Dining Room ceiling.  In the kitchen, is a Enunciator Board were residents and guests could ring a bell from any room that could be heard in the kitchen by servants.  Margaret boasted of holding a coming-out party for her niece with hundreds guests--all items prepared in and served from the kitchen and Butler's pantry.  On the second floor, are the bedrooms and J.J.’s den.  At the end of the hallway, the bathroom has indoor plumbing.  The house had indoor plumbing throughout.

The Titanic arrived in South Hampton, England, April 9, 1912, from its birthing shipyard, Belfast, Ireland.  The 46,500-ton behemoth was built at Harland & Smith shipyard, and slide into the water on a skid of twenty-two tons of grease.  At that time, it was the largest object known built by man.  In length, 882-feet and 92-feet wide; funnels rose 175-feet from the keel.  Twenty-nine boilers, tall as a 3-story house, were heated by 159 furnaces and two engines.  Engines were fueled by 6,000-tons of coal.  Kitchens could serve 62,000 meals (1st-Class tables had fresh flowers!).  Print media about the Titanic called it "Unsinkable".  Its hugeness provided a feeling of comfort from the worst fears of the ocean.

The Titanic left for a French passenger-stop at 2:30 pm, April 10, and arrived at Cherbourg, France at 6:30 pm.  There were 329 passengers in first-class, 285 in second, and 710 in 3rd, plus a crew of 892.  As first-class boarded, their luggage was transported for them; each passenger was personally escorted to their room.  Among the many extravagant amenities: a Ladies' Library and Writing room, Squash Court and Pool, Turkish bath, Gymnasium, and "Male Only" Smoking Room.  Carved woods, stained glass, crystal, marble, gilt, bronze, mother-of-pearl, and leather upholstery abounded.  Even those accustomed to beauty were amazed.  Margaret was traveling with her friends, the Astors.  She heard her grandson was ill, and she was anxious to return home.

On April 14th, the Titanic struck the iceberg and Margret was knocked out of bed.  The steward informed her that the captain had requested everyone go to the deck.  She donned her warmest outfit, 7 pairs of stockings, her sable coat, a silk hat, took $500, and strapped on the life belt. 

April 12th, the first ice warning was received from eastbound ships.  April 14th, several more ships reported ice.  Only one ice-message was posted.  The first message sent by the California was cut-off by a radio as many were busy sending personal messages from 1st class passengers.  At 11:49 pm, the iceberg was spotted by the Lookout in the Crow's Nest.  He rang the Bridge and followed other ordered procedures including closing the water-tight doors between compartments by an electrical switch on the Bridge.  Water began pouring through Starboard Buckled Steel Plates.  Ten minutes later, water was 10-feet deep, at the rate of 7-tons per second.

April 15, 12:10 am, Distress Signals were sent.  Three ships responded; the closest, Carpathia was 4-hours away.  April 15th, 12:45 am, the first lifeboat left with 19 instead of the 65 it could hold.  Most passengers (and many others) still thought the ship was "Unsinkable".  Why leave?  Men were playing games with ice-chunks!

April 15th, 1:45 am, Carpathia heard the last Titanic transmission.  Shots were fired to control crowds; the orchestra played on.  At 2:05 am, Captain Smith relieved radio operators, saying "You can do no more, now it's every man for himself . . ."

Margaret Brown wanted to stay behind and help but was forcefully placed into Lifeboat No. 6 with only 26 women.  They picked up two more.  She encouraged rowing to stay warm.  She shared her warm clothing, and eventually they were on board the rescue ship Carpathian.   She used her language skills to assist others and she began a survival committee.  At 44 years of age, she kept track of some of the survivors until her death.

As for the "Molly Brown House", in more recent years, the house, after many "lives", was threatened by demolition.  In 1970, a group of citizens banded together, calling themselves Historic Denver, Inc.  Interested and concerned people from around the country and the world assisted Historic Denver, Inc in purchasing the Molly Brown House Museum located at 1340 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, CO  80203.  The phone number is 303-892-4092; website: molly brown.org.        

-- Norma Bovee

 

TITANIC  

WHAT:  RMGA MEETING - TITANIC PRESENTATION

WHEN:  March 12, 2012

WHERE:  Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, CO.

Please gather in the Museum Store at 6:30 PM.   The Store is located in the Carriage House behind the Molly Brown House.  You will have an opportunity to visit with Mrs. Brown and to peruse and to purchase Titanic books and paraphernalia before we proceed through Mrs. Brown’s home as a group to the “ballroom”.

PROGRAM:  Margaret Brown herself (Janet Kalstrom) will be welcoming you to her home.  She will mingle with our group and answer questions as time allows. She has arranged for a power point presentation about the Titanic, “Through a Third Class Porthole”.  So much is known about the first and second class passengers, this program will give you information about the Titanic and its doomed passengers, with an emphasis on the third class.  It was the third class who suffered the greatest losses on that fateful night 100 years ago, April 15, 1912.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Margaret Tobin Brown (1867 – 1932) was a fascinating woman who had strong beliefs about social justice issues.  She was not afraid to express her beliefs at a time when it was difficult for a woman to do so.  She is a reminder of the many strong women of her time who contributed in many ways to move society forward.  Margaret Brown survived the Titanic in 1912 and offered her services in many ways to help the emigrant survivors of the sinking.  Margaret was the President of the Survivor’s Committee until her death.  Margaret and her husband, James Joseph Brown, were well known philanthropists in Denver.  Brown family papers are held at the Colorado Historical Society and the Denver Public Library has a number of family photos and newspaper clippings.