DAY 5 Thursday, June 9

I am writing this report a bit earlier in the day. I am off duty this afternoon and I am looking forward to some time to relax.

We have had daily visitors to the ship. Here’s a shot taken by Glen (DCA996).



Here’s another, taken just after sunset.



That’s Marc (WSC080) in command of another Hama designed ship, the Le France. The Le France stayed with us for several hours last night.

We reached the Titanic site this morning at 0900 local time (1200Z). The weather has cooperated very well and our educational programs are in full swing. Unfortunately, a number of our cheerleaders have opted for some sun at the pool on Deck 12 and our efforts to interest them in our little history lesson have failed so far.

Here’s where we are on our transatlantic navigation plan.



The wreckage lies in three places. Titanic’s larger items of debris, such as the boilers that broke free during the split, are more likely to have dropped straight down to the seabed. Thus experts believe that the actual location at which the Titanic floundered was N41° 43’ 32” W49° 56’ 49”. The wreckage lies at a depth of 12,600 feet.

The Internet is filled with great links to Titanic history and lore. Thanks to Robert Ballard’s discovery there are great photos and videos from the seabed. Since the initial discovery, many artifacts have been recovered and are in exhibits and museums around the world. Take some time soon to do a little research on your own and you'll discover some amazing things about this tragedy.

One of the most interesting facts about our visit here is not here at all. The last reported position of the Titanic that was given before she sank was N41° 46” W50° 14”, some 13.3 NM away. That location is currently our next fix point on the transatlantic plan. So, it’s no wonder that it took so long to find the Titanic, and, out here, the vastness of the search becomes even more apparent.

Our passengers have had a great time today. It looks just like the rest of the sea we’ve seen for the past 2,000 NM, but somehow, this place is different. Perhaps it’s because we are also on a ship. The few hours we have had here have taken on a different and more personal meaning for all of us.

So, we will soon be enroute to Martha’s Vineyard and should be there Saturday morning. More reports will be coming to the Forum in the few days we have remaining at sea. Hope all your flights are safe ones. Looking forward to returning to the skies when this is over.

Deck 12, please. :-)