Blog 159 - TITANIC - Part XVI - Chapter Four - Homecoming and a New World

The Titanic in the foreground with a modern cruise liner in the background, shown for comparison purposes

Arrival in the New World, 108 Years After They Started the Voyage.

What has gone on before in the previous chapter

The tally of persons who were rescued from  the Titanic, as per the tally Counter came to 2113.

1318 passengers had been rescued. 6 were unaccounted for, 2 of them an elderly couple who, most likely, did not even exit their cabin and one passenger who jumped from the ship, landed on the bulwark of a life boat below and sank without a trace.

Capt Smith, 1st Officer Murdoch, a 4th Officer, 4 Ordinary Seamen and a Quartermaster were missing, presumed drowned.

98 of the Engine Staff died. Nobody had informed them that a massive rescue operation was under way above decks.

According to one of the rescued Leading Firemen, Chief Engineer Bell kept insisting on the engine and boiler staff to leave the Engine Room and save themselves.

Such was his charisma and popularity that no one wanted to leave the Engine and Boiler spaces as long as he was there.

2 Engineers, 1 Electrician, 21 Greasers, 2 Boiler Makers, 1 Book Keeper, 8 Leading Firemen, 128 Firemen and 57 Trimmers had survived the sinking and were now aboard the Tysla.

Breaking News Around the World

Two nations were caught up with trying to find the next of kin of 2112 persons after 108 years. The task was monumental.

Although a news black out had been clamped around the Titanic’s sudden appearance and an equally sudden demise, the news could not remain suppressed for long. The search by various governmental agencies and police for 108 year old information triggered a ‘Breaking News’ avalanche, mostly speculative and far from accurate.

In spite of reminders to the Indian staff of the Tysla not to transmit any news about the Titanic, some of the junior officers, engineers and crew were on the Internet e-mail to convey to their families that there will be a delay in their returning home from Rotterdam, stating the reason to be a massive rescue operation mid sea. Some mentioned the name ‘Titanic’. Some mentioned the sudden appearance of the Titanic after 108 years.

It was near evening in India, 9 ½ hours ahead of the rescue operation area.

One of the e-mails that went out from the Tysla went into the ‘gmail in-box’ of the Fourth Engineer’s father who, intrigued, forwarded it to a ‘You Tube’ channel, ‘TMInfotainment’, a respected Tamil channel which factually and intelligently covers the happenings in every part of the world. Without embellishments, the channel’s Chief, sombrely brought out the news that “a ship, lost a 108 years ago, had resurfaced in the North Atlantic, only to sink in 2 hours. About 2000 were rescued, with search-and-rescue operations still under way”. The channel viewership exploded by the millions.

This was the first news of any kind about the Titanic to reach the world.

One such e-mail also reached the father of an engineer, working with ‘Times Now’, a reputed TV Channel out of Delhi. Intrigued, the father sent it to his superior, the Chief Editor. It caught the imagination of everybody at the News Channel.

Getting the addresses of all the Indians working on the Tysla proved an easy task for the News Channel. Contacting the families and getting copies of the e-mails received, a definite picture began to form. 

That evening’s news on ‘Times Now’ was sensational and viewership went off the charts. In spite of the sensationalism that could be spun out of this ‘Breaking News’, the channel stuck to facts and stated that “A ship, believed to be the Titanic, lost at sea with all aboard 108 years ago, resurfaced this early morning, only to sink 2 hours later. Survivors stated that the ship had hit an iceberg and started taking in water. More than 2000 passengers and crew were rescued by a US Naval ship in the vicinity - the North Atlantic.” Other subsidiary news content surfaced about the loss of the Titanic 108 years ago.

The news of the Titanic, generated by a Tamil ‘YouTube’ channel and a Delhi TV Channel hit Europe during their lunch hour and the US at breakfast. After that it was a free-for-all, a feeding frenzy.

Back to the Story

On Board the MV Tysla

The Tysla at a berth

It was decided to take all the survivors to New York, part of the Sixth Fleet giving the Tysla all the logistical support while accompanying the vessel to New York. 

From the time of rescue and starting the voyage, the Tysla ETA New York was adjusted to arrive during daylight hours at 0800H / 18th April 2020.

The 2000 odd survivors from the Titanic settled themselves to the extent that they could in the cavernous holds of # 8 and # 9 car decks. They were made as comfortable as possible by the contingent from the Naval vessels and the Tysla’s crew.

Interrogating the 7 people who had noted the Circle of Light that the vessel had passed through continued, but no additional information was forthcoming. Which left everyone perplexed. What was the significance of the appearance of the Titanic after exactly 108 years? What was the importance of 108? Queries about the number 108 went out to various religious and social leaders for their input.

A few psychologists were flown in to the Tysla to talk to the survivors in groups and prepare them for the obviously evident fear in the eyes of all, with advice as to how to cope with the voluminous changes in circumstances. They had to, within a few days, cope with massive civilisational and technological changes, far exceeding their normal absorption capacity. Would they cope?

From an era where Marconi had just introduced wireless transmission and Morse code, they were being subjected to multi channel TV, Social Media and the Internet, not to mention the many facilities - Metro trains, buses, sidewalks - that a modern city could offer, that would make them widen their mouths in awe.

What New York Offered Them 

Before the Tysla’s arrival in New York, there were  several issues to be sorted out.

The first was the question of health and quarantine. While the Department of Health proposed holding them in isolation for 15 days in hotels to be requisitioned for their quarantine, there was a heavy hue and cry from almost all sources that they should be able to go scot free. 

In order to sort out this crisis, the opinion of the Medical Team on board the Tysla, who were in hourly contact with the survivors, was sought. They related that not even one of the Titanic crew and passengers had had any ill effects from the multitude of vaccinations that they were subjected to. All were in fine fettle, barring those with heart problems or arthritis or other issues with their bodies, and showed none of the symptoms that could cause a pandemic. The DOH reluctantly agreed not to quarantine them. To save face, they insisted on a health check up upon the landing of the survivors.

New York outdid itself in preparing for the arrival of the Tysla. The Captain of the Tysla, ‘Bobbie’ Abraham was to receive the ‘Key to New York, New York’. Both, the Captain and Chief Engineer, Mani Lakshmanan were to be given Medals of Honour for their part in the rescue. The Naval personnel were all to be conferred various medals by the Navy.

The City of New York proposed to fund the stay and recovery of the survivors, to gradually ease them into a changed world. Many a philanthropist proved his mettle by contributing generously to a Fund set up by the State of New York. The general public contributed generously.

Tons of modern clothing of different sizes and various necessities flooded the warehouse at which the Tysla was to berth. 

The rescued, not having had a bath for days, were invited to ‘restricted’ shower stalls in # 7 Deck, the ‘restriction’ being the quantity of water per person, 20 litres per person. As soon as the ship docked, new clothes, under garments, shoes, socks were brought on board for all. There was no discrimination between First Class Passengers and other class passengers. All were listed and treated as survivors.

Based on the information already received about each individual and the photograph taken by the Google device, the Immigration Service, which works under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, kept prepared Identity Documents for each individual, to ease their way into modern society. 

The Tysla was escorted into New York harbour by the tugs of the port, blaring their sirens, emblazoned with all the buntings that they carried. Small yachts and boats crisscrossed the bow of the Ttysla adding to the adrenaline of an already tense crew on the vessel, while helicopters from various News Channels flew overhead.

The Tysla, already being a ‘light’ ship, had to refuse permission for all passengers to watch the arrival and proceedings from the topmost open deck, due to stability concerns. Only three groups of a collective hundred were allowed up, by which time the ship was alongside.

The stern ramp was put  down, this time on the rock solid port wharf. Before leaving the ship, all were given packaged warm food and water.

As they disembarked through the Stern Ramp, came the quick cursory medical examinations. Immigration officials had a harder time in identifying each person and presenting each with Identification Papers.

During the stay on board the Tysla, the survivors, apart from their own famiies, had formed bonds and friendships with others. These groups clung together in the aftermath of the rescue and this friendship continued into their sojourn in New York. The city officials assisted in keeping such groups together when making arrangements for their accommodation for at least two weeks.

The 2000 odd survivors were asked if they would participate in a ‘Ticker Tape Parade’ through the main avenues of New York City. A few of the old, a few of the weak declined the invitation. But almost all, eager to begin a start in the New World and wanting to know what is in store, agreed with alacrity and eagerness.

In contrast, the 102 passengers of the Mayflower had stepped on to the shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with nobody watching them. 

New York pulled out all the stops in parading the survivors without any altruistic motive. They truly celebrated the rescue.

Although the passengers were protected by Police from a rampaging army of reporters and photographers, many managed to circumvent the security and had a one on one discussion with one or more of the passengers, probably with a dream of a Pulitzer in the background.

The ‘Ticker Tape Parade’ was a major success and added to the worldwide frenzy through live TV coverage. After the adrenaline rush, followed by the tiredness, all the survivors were escorted back to the hotels alloted to them - all paid for by the City, the funds set up and the ‘Go-Fund-Me’ campaigns.

Millions watched the Ticker Tape Parade and cheered. Billions watched on their TV sets, lap tops, cell phones and cheered.

There were a few in England and Ireland and a few in the United States who not only cheered, but also wept, when they recognised some of their long lost kin 108 years earlier.

As the world watched the ticker tape paraded and rejoiced with the survivors, my reflections were on the 98 of the Engine Room personnel who perished - literally sacrificed their lives - in order to keep the boilers steaming, the steam engine operated generators running, in order to keep the lights on. 

One person - just one person - needed to go down and inform some of the Engine Room and Boiler Room personnel that a miraculous rescue was in progress. It would have taken just two minutes for all to evacuate the Engine and Boiler spaces.

Instead, they unnecessarily - and tragically - gave up their lives. 

“Greater Love hath no Man than this, that a Man lay down his life for his friends” - John 15.13.

Most of those who worked in the Engine Room and Boiler Rooms were from Belfast, Ireland. Perhaps an epitaph, befitting their sacrifice, be constructed somewhere in South Shields?

The Trauma of Transition

All the rescued were put up in hotels by the State of New York, at State expense. The New York State Legislature passed several resolutions to

1. Provide Identity papers to all the rescued. Their Dates of Birth were adjusted, so as not to show them to be over 108 years old, when they were actually in their prime.

2. Plane tickets to those of the rescued who wished to go back to England or whichever part of Europe they were originally from. Very few opted for this return, as almost all realised they would have nothing to go back to after 108 years.

3. Fast track citizenship for those staying back.

4. Pick up the tab of the expenses of all the rescued, including the crew, for a period of 3 months, wih the option of extending that period if need be.

5. Provide counselling to all to ease their way into the modern world.

6. Provide psychiatrists to those heavily traumatised and needed help in adjusting.

7.  Find jobs for all, based on their previous skills, although outdated. 

8. Train those skilled workers to cope with modern trends. Carpenters, masons came under this category. Bar tenders were more or less at home.

9. The seamen, Navigating officers, surviving engine staff from the boiler room and engine room were given the option of joining a Maritime Institute to upscale their skills, so that they can either join the US or UK Navy or the Merchant Navy.

10. All passengers and crew had lost all that they had possessed. They were largely and lavishly compensated from Government funding, philanthropists and ‘GoFundMe’ campaigns.

11. The Second and Third Class lost less in comparison to the First Class passengers, as their net worth was already down, which was the main reason why they were making the voyage to the US. Most Third Class passengers had sold off all their family assets just to pay for their passage on the Titanic, some of whom were travelling with their entire families, some with their families left behind in the hope of a future reunion.

12. Not that the First Class passengers were any better off. The difference was that the First Class passengers lost all the glamorous clothes and jewels that they had brought on board for what should have been a gala , festive, voyage. Financially, they had lost a lot.

The Significance of 108 (years)

One of the puzzles that needed solving was “Why did the ‘Titanic’ appear exactly after a 108 years? Why not after 90 or 100 or a 1000 years?” All the experts who had interviewed those on board the Titanic who had seen the ring, the band, of bright light, saw no light at the end of the tunnel. It was agreed that the ring of light was a Transportation Device for Time Travel. Beyond that - no conclusions.

One of the experts, exploring the ‘108 years’ angle saw a thread leading to the number 108 being sacred in ancient Hindu texts. 

There was a certain cyclicism to the number 108. Certain ‘shlokas’ were repeated in a cycle of 108, including the chant of ‘Om’ for well being of the world. 

It seemed to possess mysticism and spirituality at the same time. It held cosmic, cultural and religious significance in all Hindu texts. 

But there was no overt connection, answer. In this finite world and in the age of the leap towards Artificial Intelligence, it held an abyss, a void, that could not be immediately solved.

It only goes to show that not everything in this world can be solved by just reason or intellect. That there are forces beyond our understanding that pervade this world. 

 Finally, the Human Side of Mankind

The world opened its arms to the survivors. Invitations, supported by authentic  job offers, waiver of visas, immediate citizenships, free housing and the like flooded the evacuees.

A Haitian who had been rescued, preferred to go back to his own country, even though his country was in a sorry state of affairs.

None of the Irish and British preferred to return, opting for a new life in the New World. (Although over 200 years old, the US Republic was still a ‘New World’ to those who had started their journey 108 years ago.

What happened to some of the VIP survivors

Some of the survivors were very rich men in their time and had set up powerful business houses in the 1900s. Many of the businesses had survived to this day.

A prominent millionaire US hotelier found that his hotel had become a worldwide chain, making him a billionaire several times over.

Some of the British businessmen who had bought shares in Glaxo, British Petroleum, Lloyds bank, Mark & Spencer, Prudential found the share value had multiplied a few thousand times, making them millionaires.

Some of the American survivors who had bought shares in General Electric, Bank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, Hershey’s, found themselves to be millionaires.

One of the survivors, a writer, wrote about the exploits aboard the Titanic for several newspapers and magazines and minted money. Having been one of the few writers - in his 108-years-past life - to have bought himself a rather costly typewriter, he quickly settled into using a modern computer with a little help. His ability to - in the rather quaintly written English of a 100 years ago - and the ability to write about the social mores of two vastly different cultures all in the same paragraph, assured him of thousands of readers. His books became best sellers. Along with fame came fortune. 

A lesser known romantic tale was that of a middle aged married businessman - storekeeper who eloped with one of his 18 year old pregnant  store assistants. They had booked themselves on to the Titanic to start a new life in the US in spite of the woman’s advanced state of pregnancy. The surprised Naval medical team’s acumen and expertise was tested by a premature birth, the lady passenger from among the women Third Class passengers. An impromptu celebration followed and the child was named ‘Tysla’, both mother and child were in fine fettle.

Two tiny French boys, aged 4 and 2, also survived and broke hearts worldwide. They were adopted by a prominent New York family. The Father had not survived the Titanic. 

And - I almost forgot - Jack Dawson married Rose DeWitt Bukater, the formalising of the marriage being carried out by Captain Bobbie Abraham of the Tysla, in a quiet ceremony. There were some protests from her fiance and family, but they were all overcome. After landing in New York, Rose found that she was an heiress to a large fortune. It so happened that her family in Philadelphia had created a Trust Fund in her name, once the news of the Titanic’s disappearance in April 1912 reached the family. There were some peculiar clauses in the charter of the Trust Fund that “If she were to be found alive, then the Trust Fund reverts to her”. 108 years later, the Trust Fund had multiplied in value to the extent that Rose found she was a billionaire.

Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt’s budding romance on board the Titanic

This is the final part of the fictional rescue of the survivors of the sinking ‘Titanic’.

The End

AR