As part of our 2012 Convention we will be having a river cruise on the Sunday morning – 15th April 2012. This will be a highlight of the convention, and convention delegates are automatically included in the event.

We have chartered for our exclusive use the magnificent Blue Funnel catamaran MV Ocean Scene. During our 90-minute cruise, we plan to replicate the start of Titanic’s one and only voyage, shipping movements permitting.  We intend to visit Ocean Dock to drop a wreath on the water and afterwards will sail past berth 38/39 where the near-collision with the New York occurred. From there we visit berths 106/108, Southampton’s maritime “Death Row,” where both Olympic and Mauretania were laid-up prior to their demise in 1935, and will then spend some time cruising down the River Itchen.

In addition to dropping the society wreath for this centennial year, we thought it would be rather lovely if each member had his or her own individual symbol of remembrance to scatter on the water.  Each person taking part in the river cruise will receive a simple red or white carnation, for casting over the ship’s side.  There will then be a playing of Erin’s Lament on the Uilleann pipes by Steve Turner, an Uilleann piper and reed-maker based in Portsmouth.  Steve was guest tutor at the Na Piobairi Uilleann (Irish Pipers’ Society) gathering in 2011.

We have received requests from members who are not attending the convention as delegates, to join in this.  Any remaining tickets will be sold on our Sales Desk on the Saturday at the convention.