THE SINKING OF THE OCEANOS - 4th of August, 1991: April 2009

Sunday, April 19, 2009

T.S.M.V. City of Durban - Christmas Menu 25th of December 1956

My mom & dad loved cruises, they would normally do a cruise from Durban up the coat to Beira in Mozambique. Here is the menu from the cruise the took in December 1956.

Titanic II

A British cruise company is organising a cruise to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the titanic, the ship will trace the exact route taken by the titanic and leave on exactly the same day as the titanic as well as having exactly the same number of passengers (not sure if that would include any stow aways that they did not account for).

The cruise leaves Southampton on the 8th of April 2012 and will arrive at the exact point where the titanic sank on the 14th of April, it is "expected" to dock in New York on the 15th of April 2012 the exact date 100 years on that the Titanic originally sank, OR WILL IT?

Apparently tickets for the cruise start at 1,999 Pounds sterling and go up to 7,995 - I somehow don't think I would tempt fate, would you?

http://www.sindhtoday.net/world/87106.htm

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

RMS Titanic - 15th April 1912

Today is the 97th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, I don't think there are still any survivors alive today, but I could be wrong. I have just been reading all about it again on "Wikipedia" and of course it reminded me of the Oceanos - especially since a few nights before we sailed, the original Titanic movie (the old black & white one) had just been on TV and of course everyone had watched it.

My now husband, was joking with me after the movie, saying that I had better pack my water wings because the Oceanos too was going to hit and ice berg and sink, well I think the ice berg was a bit far fetched, but of course she too did sink.

The story of the Oceanos however is far different from the Titanic, as not one person lost their lives.

Here is the link to "The Titanic", worth reading.

Welcome

Hi, My name is Rose, I am one of the Survivors of the Oceanos which sank off Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast of South Africa on August the 4th, 1991. As one of the largest rescues in maritime history I was rescued by helicopter 2 hours before she sank but you can read my story here. I have created this blog in memory of the Oceanos and all who sailed on her.

If you have a story to tell, please email it to me and I will put it up on this blog. Should you wish to use any material from this blog please email me for permission. Enjoy reading!

"The boy stood on the burning deck" - Felicia Hemans (1793 - 1835)

The boy stood on the burning deck Whence all but he had fled; The flame that lit the battle's wreck Shone round him o'er the dead.

Yet beautiful and bright he stood, As born to rule the storm;A creature of heroic blood, A proud, though child-like form.

The flames rolled on–he would not go Without his Father's word; That father, faint in death below, His voice no longer heard.

He called aloud–'say, Father, say If yet my task is done?'He knew not that the chieftain lay Unconscious of his son.

'Speak, father!' once again he cried, 'If I may yet be gone!'And but the booming shots replied, And fast the flames rolled on.

Upon his brow he felt their breath, And in his waving hair,And looked from that lone post of death In still yet brave despair.

And shouted but once more aloud, 'My father! must I stay?'While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud, The wreathing fires made way.

They wrapt the ship in splendour wild, They caught the flag on high,And streamed above the gallant child, Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder sound– The boy–oh! where was he?Ask of the winds that far around With fragments strewed the sea!–

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair, That well had borne their part–But the noblest thing which perished there Was that young faithful heart.