Welcome to the website of the British Titanic Society.

The British Titanic Society was formed in 1987, and membership provides an opportunity for those interested in the history of the Titanic, the White Star Line and other ships of the classic era to further their knowledge and enjoyment of this fascinating subject.

The society is run by volunteers who are keen to encourage research and active participation, we are also completely independent of any commercial interests, and we have attracted substantial membership worldwide.

On this website you will find what the British Titanic Society does, and how to join.

This website has regular posts from Officers about Titanic and society news.

Please use the comment button below each post to leave us your views.

Scroll down to read the latest posts and news from the society.

To select a particular subject of interest, click on catogories.

The Auction of 3 our most prestigious membership numbers is to be held at the Convention Gala Dinner evening on Saturday 13th April 2013.

These are,

Membership No. 401 – Harland & Wolff Shipyard number 401, given to the hull of the S.S. Titanic whilst under construction.

Membership No. 400 – Harland & Wolff Shipyard number 400, given to the hull of the S.S. Olympic whilst under construction.

Membership No. 433 – Harland & Wolff Shipyard number 433, given to the hull of H.M.H.S Britannic whilst under construction.

• No commission fee is charged.
• The auction is open to those who have been a British Titanic Society member during the 2012/13 period.
• The winning bid will include one year’s free membership (refundable if already renewed).
• Maximum bids can be submitted to the Membership Secretary at e-mail address: info@britishtitanicsociety.com before the closing date of 12th April 2013.
• Bids can be submitted in person to the Membership Secretary before 3:30pm on the 13th April 2013.
• Winning bidders are expected to honour their commitments, and are requested to settle their payment within 7 days.
• The British Titanic Society retains the rights of the membership numbers 400, 401 & 433. As its officers would like all 3 numbers to be continually held by current members, they will commit to ensure the holders retain them providing they maintain their membership of the society.  If after a one year period, a subscription has lapsed without renewal, a new holder of the respective number will be sought.

Click here to see the poster for the auction.

British Titanic Society Membership Numbers Auction

Convention 2013

One great thing we in the BTS have to look forward to in April 2013 is our Convention! You know the dates, you have had your booking forms, make sure you use them in plenty of time to secure your place at what promises to be another great weekend get-together.

John Creamer is heading up the team dedicated to ensuring a first class convention. We have some great lectures lined up. John Siggins will present a lecture on the construction of the Olympic class steamers. Mandy le Boutillier will present a lecture “Jack Phillips – in his own words”. We are hoping BTS friends Jack Eaton and Charlie Haas will attend and present a lecture. This cannot be confirmed as yet as Charlie is waiting clearance to fly from his surgeon following back surgery. We have a superb exhibition and sales display, a grand Gala Dinner to be followed by the famous BTS Grand Raffle! and plenty of time to meet and make new friendships, and renew old ones.

John has managed to arrange for us to visit the famous TSS Calshot on the Sunday morning! Calshot is one of only three surviving classical tender ships which served the great ocean liners. The visit is a rare pivilege, and thanks are due to John for arranging it. This  visit, combined with a visit to Berths 43/44 from where Titanic sailed on 10^th April 1912 will be a wonderful experience and a great photo opportunity. Full details will be published in the March 2013 issue of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin and on the website.

Some members may recall that about six years ago, Uni-Link Buses named a bus after our former President, Millvina Dean. Millvina named the bus in the car park of the Hilton Hotel  during our Convention.  The original bus is no longer in service, but the company wish to name a replacement bus in Millvina’s honour. They plan to hold the naming ceremony outside the DeVere Grand Harbour Hotel on the Sunday morning of our 2013 Convention. This will be a great occasion and another wonderful tribute to Millvina. We hope that members of Millvina’s family will be able to be present. After the naming ceremony, Delegates will depart in the bus for our rendezvous at Berths 43/44 and TSS Calshot!   If time permits we may drive past the Millvina Dean Memorial Garden en route!

What a great experience…..don’t miss it!

As mentioned above, we will be holding the great ‘BTS Raffle’ once again. We have some fabulous prizes already generously donated, but would ask that if any members would care to donate prizes for the draw, this would be very much appreciated. Please either write in, or contact Karen via the website and let us know. We shall be very grateful.

Also, if any members would like to help to man the Exhibition Desk on the Saturday, we should be delighted to hear from you.

Regarding the Gala Dinner, as mentioned on your booking form, please contact Tim Silcocks if you have any dietary requirements or particular table seating wishes. Tim will do his best to accommodate all reasonable seating requests, but these must be made BEFORE the convention and not during it.

To any member wishing to exhibit their collection on the Saturday, or wish to reserve a Sales Table, please contact John Creamer as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made.

The new issue of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin is at the printers and should be with members later this month (January).

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING OFFICERS

The BTS regrets that, for private and family reasons, Tim Silcocks has expressed a wish to resign as Bulletin Editor and Membership Secretary, following publication of the September 2012 issue of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin.

Tim has been an outstanding editor, and has consolidated the Atlantic Daily Bulletin’s position as a leading Titanic publication. Tim also completely updated, re-organised and computerised the membership records. We thank Tim for his hard work and editorial skills, and wish him well for the future.

The society also regrets to announce that Nigel Wright has resigned, reluctantly, as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer due to health reasons.

Nigel has done a lot of work for the Society, much of it behind the scenes. The expanded website is largely his creation. He led the team that gave us a memorable centenary convention earlier this year. We thank Nigel for his contributions to the Society and wish him improving health in the future.

Both Tim and Nigel have expressed their continuing support for the BTS, and have kindly offered to help out, as required, in the future.

Members will appreciate that these developments have necessitated some speedy action by the Society.

The Society is pleased to announce that Rudi Newman has agreed to become the new Honorary Secretary.

Rudi was born in 1986 in Watford, Hertfordshire. After studying for B.A. and M.A. degrees in history with the University of Hertfordshire, he is now researching a Ph.D. thesis on the socio-economic impacts of the coming of the railways. With a long-standing passion for history, particularly concerning transportation, he has assisted with several museum and university projects and has presented numerous lectures and articles on historical transportation themes.

A collector of Titanic memorabilia, Rudi has been fascinated by her story from a young age, and has been a member of the British Titanic Society since 1998. For the centenary, he acted as an advisor for the BBC and the National Archives, providing research, interviews and lectures.

The society is also pleased to announce that John Creamer has agreed to become Membership Secretaryand continue the good work started by Tim.

Like many people within our society, John was first bitten by the ‘Titanic bug’ at an early age after watching the film adaptation of Walter Lord’s book, A Night to Remember.

John lives in Wapping, East London, where he has run a badminton club for the past 23 years – coincidentally in the sports centre that previously served as a repair yard for Harland & Wolff. John has been involved with Southampton’s SeaCity Museum, where he helped the council to achieve a successful grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. He has continued to take an active part in the museum’s formation from the start.

The position of Bulletin Editor will be filled by David Hill, resuming his old job temporarily, at least until Convention 2013 or when a permanent editor is appointed. David will also take on, again temporarily, the position of Honorary Treasurer.

The new line-up of officers will therefore be as follows:

Honorary President: Bob Pryor

Honorary Secretary: Rudi Newman

Membership Secretary: John Creamer

Youth Officer: Karen Jarman

Honorary Treasurer: David Hill

Bulletin Editor: David Hill

The society has been in discussion with a number of organizations and companies regarding sponsoring the society for convention 2013.

We have had a number of replies and below are details of our sponsors for convention 2013 who have agreed to have their details made public.

This list will be updated as our sponsorship grows.

We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors.

The De Vere Grand Harbour in Southampton has been our venue for our annual convention for the last few years.

The hotel is in an excellent location and it’s in-house facilities are perfect for our needs.

They have kindly donated a 3 Course Dinner for 2 people in the Number 5 restaurant plus overnight accommodation in a traditional bedroom at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton

This is going to be one of the excellent prizes in our Grand Raffle at the British Titanic Societies’ Gala Dinner being held on Saturday the 13th April 2013, at the De Vere Grand Harbour hotel, Southampton.

The Grapes is one of Southampton’s most historic public houses, and this is where six crew members of the Titanic including three brothers, were drinking before setting sail and missed the ill-fated passage.

The Grapes serves a wide range of real ales, spirits and snacks, and the bar is decorated with photographs of Titanic.

Located in Oxford Street, they have four rooms available for visitors to the area.

They have kindly donated a night’s stay complete with a complimentary bottle of wine.

This is going to be one of the excellent prizes in our Grand Raffle at the British Titanic Societies’ Gala Dinner being held on Saturday the 13th April 2013, at the De Vere Grand Harbour hotel, Southampton.

Maritime Reproductions are online specialists in maritime posters, paintings, flyers and photographs

They have kindly donated two posters from their 1st generation range.

This is going to be one of the excellent prizes in our Grand Raffle at the British Titanic Societies’ Gala Dinner being held on Saturday the 13th April 2013, at the De Vere Grand Harbour hotel, Southampton.

The trustees of the Titanic International Society have announced the passing of their membership services trustee, Dave Shuttle on the 11^th July 2012 in Erie, Pennsylvania.

TIS President, Charles Haas issued this statement, “Dave was a tireless worker for the society and the best friend anyone could wish for. He will be deeply missed by all who came to know him. Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to his wife, Roberta (Bobbie), and his many friends and family.”

We were very saddened by this news, and on behalf of the Society and its members we send our condolences to Dave’s family and friends.

We have a member who is attempting to complete their set of our journal, the Atlantic Daily Bulletin.

They require the following issues,

1991 (Winter)

2000 (number 1)

2003 (September)

2004 (Sep)

2009 (Sep)

If any member has any of these they are willing to sell, please email us at info@britishtitanicsociety.com, or write to us at our normal address, and we will put them in touch.

We expect the June 2012 edition of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin to be posted out the week beginning the 23rd of July.

UPDATE – The June 2012 edition of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin was posted out Monday the 24th of July.

MEMORIAL FOR MILLVINA .

The Millvina Dean Memorial Garden was officially opened and dedicated on 31st May 2012, in a simple, dignified ceremony, in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Southampton and forty guests and members of the public. Over two years in the planning, the garden is a result of close co-operation between the Millvina Fund and Southampton City Council.

    The proceedings were opened by David Hill, British Titanic Society member and an administrator of the Millvina Fund, who welcomed everybody and introduced Una Reilly, MBE, co-founder of the Belfast Titanic Society and also a fund administrator, who read out a message received from Charles A. Haas, President of Titanic International Society and the third administrator of the fund, who, with regret, was unable to be present.

Charlie wrote:

When nine-week-old Elizabeth Gladys Dean, better known as Millvina, left the United States and returned to England with her brother Bertram and her widowed mother aboard the liner Adriatic in May 1912, one month after the loss of her father, the Daily Mirror reported,

“She was the pet of the liner during the voyage, and so keen was the rivalry between women to nurse this lovable mite of humanity that one of the officers decreed that first and second class passengers might hold her in turn for no more than ten minutes.”

Somehow, it’s not surprising that from her very first days, Millvina, the “lovable mite of humanity,” brought forth outpourings of love from others – and she returned it many fold as the essence of her long, wonderful, fulfilled life.

More than 70 years after its loss, Millvina, perhaps a bit reluctantly, decided to involve herself again with Titanic. The love Millvina had received from total strangers on board the Adriatic, from her mother Ettie and brother Bertram, and from a supportive extended family, she now extended to literally thousands from all over the world, from the smallest child to world-famous celebrities, from next-door neighbours in her beloved hometown to “pen friends” who swamped her with mail.

Who can ever forget the image of Millvina, in her late 80’s, at a British Titanic Society convention patiently dealing with a hundred-foot-long queue of autograph-seekers? When someone suggested that she take a respite, her response was, “Oh, no, I don’t want to disappoint all my friends here.” And so she continued to make friends, especially young people.

Who can forget her two-cup teapot, often overwhelmed by a large number of visitors to her home? Why not purchase a larger teapot? The answer was simple: Serving eight or ten people, two at a time, from such a tiny pot ensured that the cherished visits from her friends would last an entire afternoon.

Fate would decide that Millvina, the youngest person aboard Titanic during its tragic voyage, would become the final living survivor. As with everything else, she accepted the sobriquet of “last living Titanic survivor” with grace and aplomb.

Millvina loved life. To her last days, her vitality, her warm sense of humor, her pragmatism and her joyous philosophy served her well, and endeared her to all.

Today, as we dedicate this lovely garden in her memory, we symbolically see some of the elements that made Millvina so special. There are the flowers and plants she knew and loved; benches that encourage conversations and friendships between people; a central pathway that suggests moving on in one’s life, and on the central plinth, her simple yet profoundly reassuring advice to us all, “Have a kind heart and a sense of humour,” engraved in a stone which itself reflects her amazing endurance.

As was so clearly shown during observances of Titanic’s centennial just six weeks ago, the world shall never forget the Royal Mail Ship Titanic, her passengers and crew. Nor shall we ever forget the remarkable lady named Elizabeth Gladys Millvina Dean, whose life and love we celebrate today, and for all time.

    The Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Derek Burke, officially opened the garden and then Bruno Nordmanis, Millvina’s dear friend and constant travel companion, unveiled the grey slate plinth, which for the occasion had been draped in a White Star Line flag kindly loaned by British Titanic Society Honorary President Bob Pryor. This was followed by a blessing by the Rev. Dr. Julian Davies, Rector of St. Mary’s Church, Southampton.

    The garden consists of a grass-covered elliptical open space bisected by a pathway, with the engraved plinth alongside. At each end of the ellipse, curved benches offer places of respite. Surrounding the open space are a green and gold privet hedge, and flower beds featuring plants of many colours, aromas and textures. The garden is situated to the left of the entrance to Southampton’s SeaCity museum.

    The proceedings over, at the invitation of the Leisure Department of Southampton City Council, all guests enjoyed light refreshments, before being taken on a private guided tour of the Titanic exhibition inside the new SeaCity museum.

    Among the forty or so people present that afternoon were members of Millvina’s family; officials from Southampton City Council, including Nick Yeats and Cliff Brown of the Parks Department, who have been closely involved with the conception and design of the garden; Councillor Brian Parnell; and Glen Gardner from Associated British Ports.

As a part of our Centenary year wreath laying programme, we are planning to lay a wreath on the grave of Titanic’s Third Officer Herbert John Pitman MBE.

Pitman’s grave is located at St Leonard’s, Church Lane, Mill Lane off A359, Pitcombe, Somerset, BA10 0PE

We invite members to join with Nigel Wright, in laying the society’s wreath at 10am on Saturday the 4^th August 2012.

This event went ahead as planned – see photographs below.