Times Advocate, 1997-05-14, Page 16Second Section - May 14, 1997
Researcher dispels Titanic myths
By Brenda Burke
adding more first class men survived
than third class children.
Santini's SHDHS presentation
included a taste of unexpected Titanic
history.
"She carried -20,000 bottled of beer to -.
supply her customers," he informed the
T -A Reporter
HURON COUNTY.- The Titanic may
be the most famous ship in history but
according to Winnipeg researcher Steve
Santini, it's also the basis of the most
manipulated story of all time.
"Nobody, ever called the Titanic
unsinkable," he told students gathered at -group of applauding studerrts, describing
South Huron District. High School - one it as the ship equipped with lots of fopd
stop along his Huron County school trek but lacking in life boats. ,
last month to proniote a special exhibit 'Most people never even knew that
featured at a Goderich museum until 'the - they1hit an iceberg," he added.
On the top deck, life continped
"It's 'as normal while the ship
end of May.
"Itwas not built for the
wealthy people at all," he.
added, but was instead
constructed as a money-
making ship. • '
He explained it was made people had to
along with sister ships the do to get saved.
Olympic and the Gigantic (all , that night,
of which'suffered wrecks) especially
-during a competitive ship- , ,third class,''
amazing when gradually sunk over a three=hotir
you think time span. Third ,class , ,
about what passengers Were placed at either
end of the,phip mid apparently i
s9meone forgot to open their
gates when the crucial.rescue
time arrived.
Santini's presentation included
giving students namesof Titanic'
building era the tum' of the travellers and describing their -
century immigrant tide. It took 0,000 men role`in the tragedy. Thele was the lookout
three years to build each ship. - person ,who was refused binoculars:'An i
Santini unravelled another myfh; the there was the captain who accepted the . .
Titanic was not even close to tr-av'e Iingat Titanic assignment as a retirement gift.
full speed when itstruck an iceberg.-Altd Add to that,:a couple'who would not
unbelievably, its crew never,had a boat part accprding•to'the women -and -
drill, leaving most inept at the basic task 'children -saved -first rule and were
of lowering a life boat In fact', many' resolved to sink together on the ship's.
Titanic victims were killed simply due to deck. And what about a nearby ,
lack of -life jacket know-how; they Calitomia,ship captain who went back to -
jumped 400 feet without holding the sleep when his crew saw distress rockets
jackets down,, thus breaking trirtrnecks fired off tete Titanic?. ,..
upon impact with the water.
"Canada got the clean=up job,"
explained Santini of the ship that sank • movie about the fated ship. Through his
near Halifax in 1912. research, he Began -to collect •
He told students tales of ships wading memorabilia. He wrote The Titanic: The
through a sea of Titanic victims,' of Untold story, a book expected to hit the
extreme passenger racism and of a man shelves next year. He's also been an
who dressed as a woman in an effort to . advisor for a new Titanic movie.
escape the sinking , then later lied' • He scoffs, however, ata recent attempt
and declared himself hero, claiming he to raise the ship's hull plate.
saved many lives du ' g the mishap. "They made it a circus..There was no
"It's amazing w 6 n you think about need for it," he said of the aim to obtain
what people had to do to get saved that ' items such as jewelry of the Victims.
night, especially third class," he said,
Santini's fascination'with the Titanic
began as a child when he watched a
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Feb. 14, 1997
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190..§.•
zi fix,
At top, clockwise, the 17'
'tanie remains the most
talked about historical ship.
of al) time: On display at,
the Huron County Museum
is one of 10 life jackets in
existence, along with a
,steamer trunk recovered at
the site of sinking. Also on
display is a first-class Titan-
ic deck chair, the only
known one in existence.
PAY NO G.S.T.
PAY NO P.S.T.
MAY 14 row
MAY 24 "1 -
On .A
-
OnA ] Z
,
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• Roto -tillers
• Used Riding Mowers
BECKER
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Researcher dispels Titanic myths
By Brenda Burke
adding more first class men survived
than third class children.
Santini's SHDHS presentation
included a taste of unexpected Titanic
history.
"She carried -20,000 bottled of beer to -.
supply her customers," he informed the
T -A Reporter
HURON COUNTY.- The Titanic may
be the most famous ship in history but
according to Winnipeg researcher Steve
Santini, it's also the basis of the most
manipulated story of all time.
"Nobody, ever called the Titanic
unsinkable," he told students gathered at -group of applauding studerrts, describing
South Huron District. High School - one it as the ship equipped with lots of fopd
stop along his Huron County school trek but lacking in life boats. ,
last month to proniote a special exhibit 'Most people never even knew that
featured at a Goderich museum until 'the - they1hit an iceberg," he added.
On the top deck, life continped
"It's 'as normal while the ship
end of May.
"Itwas not built for the
wealthy people at all," he.
added, but was instead
constructed as a money-
making ship. • '
He explained it was made people had to
along with sister ships the do to get saved.
Olympic and the Gigantic (all , that night,
of which'suffered wrecks) especially
-during a competitive ship- , ,third class,''
amazing when gradually sunk over a three=hotir
you think time span. Third ,class , ,
about what passengers Were placed at either
end of the,phip mid apparently i
s9meone forgot to open their
gates when the crucial.rescue
time arrived.
Santini's presentation included
giving students namesof Titanic'
building era the tum' of the travellers and describing their -
century immigrant tide. It took 0,000 men role`in the tragedy. Thele was the lookout
three years to build each ship. - person ,who was refused binoculars:'An i
Santini unravelled another myfh; the there was the captain who accepted the . .
Titanic was not even close to tr-av'e Iingat Titanic assignment as a retirement gift.
full speed when itstruck an iceberg.-Altd Add to that,:a couple'who would not
unbelievably, its crew never,had a boat part accprding•to'the women -and -
drill, leaving most inept at the basic task 'children -saved -first rule and were
of lowering a life boat In fact', many' resolved to sink together on the ship's.
Titanic victims were killed simply due to deck. And what about a nearby ,
lack of -life jacket know-how; they Calitomia,ship captain who went back to -
jumped 400 feet without holding the sleep when his crew saw distress rockets
jackets down,, thus breaking trirtrnecks fired off tete Titanic?. ,..
upon impact with the water.
"Canada got the clean=up job,"
explained Santini of the ship that sank • movie about the fated ship. Through his
near Halifax in 1912. research, he Began -to collect •
He told students tales of ships wading memorabilia. He wrote The Titanic: The
through a sea of Titanic victims,' of Untold story, a book expected to hit the
extreme passenger racism and of a man shelves next year. He's also been an
who dressed as a woman in an effort to . advisor for a new Titanic movie.
escape the sinking , then later lied' • He scoffs, however, ata recent attempt
and declared himself hero, claiming he to raise the ship's hull plate.
saved many lives du ' g the mishap. "They made it a circus..There was no
"It's amazing w 6 n you think about need for it," he said of the aim to obtain
what people had to do to get saved that ' items such as jewelry of the Victims.
night, especially third class," he said,
Santini's fascination'with the Titanic
began as a child when he watched a
THE EXETER
TIMES -ADVOCATE HAS
WEDDING INVITATIONS
and
PERSONALIZED PENS
Our Gt t To 9tou... ir- �}��
yo��
For ordering your invitations, your engagement or
wedding photo will be printed in our paper at NO CHARGE -
Value $27.29 - PLUS -
Take 1 O% OFF YOUR WEDDING INVITATION ORDER
WHEN YOU BRING IN THIS AD
FOR YOUR WEDDING 42IPsaisa thaAme l ?ern*
• Up to five lines of verse i.e.
With our thanks
Jack and Jill
Feb. 14, 1997
• Many styles and colors • Minimums vary with styles • Allow 6 weeks for delivery
SPARKLE TWIST (Blue, Green or Red) • 300 pens@ 65c each
SPECIAL OFFER... until May 30
424 MAIN ST. EXETER
(519) 235-1331 • FAX (519) 235-0766
190..§.•
zi fix,
At top, clockwise, the 17'
'tanie remains the most
talked about historical ship.
of al) time: On display at,
the Huron County Museum
is one of 10 life jackets in
existence, along with a
,steamer trunk recovered at
the site of sinking. Also on
display is a first-class Titan-
ic deck chair, the only
known one in existence.
PAY NO G.S.T.
PAY NO P.S.T.
MAY 14 row
MAY 24 "1 -
On .A
-
OnA ] Z
,
• Push Mowers
• Roto -tillers
• Used Riding Mowers
BECKER
600 Main Street. South.
Exeter, Ontario. NOM 1 S 1
Ph: (519) 235-2757
Products inc. Fax: (519) 235.4067