Written by Juha Peltonen.
In the early twentieth century, reading was one of the main means
of killing time during a long sea voyage. It was not unlike that
back in April 1912, and there were no less than two libraries
on the Titanic; one was for first class and the other for second.
No such amenity was reserved for the use of steerage class.
At one end of the first class lounge was a bookcase, situated
on "A" (promenade) deck. From there, books could be
borrowed. The lounge was decorated in Louis Quinze style, detailing
idea's taken from Versailles Palace in France. The room was lavishly
furnished, which was in line with many other parts of the ship,
In all this lounge was meant for reading, conversation, cards,
tea drinking and other social trivialities.
Adjacent to the lounge was a reading and writing room, furnished
in late Georgian style of about 1770-80. Both the panelling and
the ceiling were finished in white. Like the lounge, the height
of this room was 12 feet, 3 inches, whereas the length and width
of the lounge were 59 by 63 feet compared to the 41 by 41 feet
of the latter. On one side of the reading and writing room was
a great bay window, from which an uninterrupted view of the horizon
was obtained. The forward end was said to feature a large recess,
slightly raised above the general level, which produced "a
most pleasing effect in the appearance of the room." With
pure white walls plus light, elegant furniture, it was meant to
be for the ladies.
Not too much is known about the contents of the libraries, which
were sure to have been full of the most interesting material.
At least a few details have survived, for example: Colonel Archiebald
Gracie mentioned in his memoirs that "... I had devoted my
time to social enjoyment and to the reading of books taken from
the ships well supplied library." This is a clear indication
to the fact that the overall selection seems to have been many
faceted. And no wonder, as all books and magazines for the libraries
were delivered at Southampton from the Times of London's own book
club. Col. Gracie himself read -and also managed to finish - a
book from the library during the voyage, namely Mary Johnston's
Old Dominion, which he returned to the library, he later commented:
"while peacefully reading the tales of adventure and accounts
of extraordinary escapes therein, how little I thought that in
the next few hours I should be witness and a party to a scene,
to which this book (his memoirs) could furnish no counterpart,
and that my own preservation from a watery grave would afford
a remarkable illustration of how ofttimes 'truth is stranger than
fiction.'"
When it came to magazines on board, it is known that the April
1912 issue of the "Scientific American" was on hand.
The second class library was done in colonial Adams style, being
40 feet long and 58 feet wide. Situated on "C" Deck,
it featured panelling in sycamore, with some use of mahogany and
tapestry. All furniture was made of mahogany.
Second class passenger, a young science master told:
"I can look back and see every detail of the library that
(Sunday, April 14th) afternoon - the beautifully furnished room,
with loungers, armchairs, and small writing or card tables scattered
about, writing bureau's round the walls of the room, and the library
in glass cased shelves flanking one side - the whole finished
in mahogany relieved with white fluted columns that supported
the deck above."
Beesley also borrowed books, two to be exact, and was just reading
one in his bunk, 'pleasantly lulled by the dancing motion of the
mattress," when all of a sudden, the mattress was still.
Beesley placed the two books in the side pockets of his Norfolk
jacket, picked up his lifebelt and dressing gown and walked upstairs,
tying on his life preserver. Unfortunately we may never know the
names of these books. Shame, as Beesley was giving advise, when
Walter Lord's movie "a Night To Remember" was being
filmed in 1958.
(Strangely enough Beesley is seen in the library of the Titanic
in the movie "SOS TITANIC" many years later.)
The second class library would also play a role after the 00.30
am order to send women and children up to the boat deck on April
15th 1912. At least the first group passed it on their way up
to the boat deck.
Contributed by Juha Peltonen.
Acknowledgements:
Titanic - Triumph and Tragedy - Eaton and Haas.
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