Posted by Bob Read on June 27, 1999 at 17:11:42 in 208.142.225.34:
In Reply to: Re: Weather Cover - huh? posted by Mark Darrah on June 27, 1999 at 03:53:12:
Mark:
The burden of proof rests on those who say a weather cover was rigged. I believe from the
sea trials port profile photo that it cannot be identified when it should be from that angle.
I'm saying that the weather cover may have been a
portable affair that could have been rigged when needed. There are only a couple of other options: First, that it didn't have a weather cover no matter what the weather. Doubtful. Second (Bruce's hypothesis) the stairway was far enough to starboard that it couldn't be seen blocking the stokehold vent (or only extremely minimally).
The only problem here is that we have a direct conflict with the Eaton and Haas plans and no other supporting evidence.
So, pick your poison: No weather cover at all or
the stairs moved to starboard. Personally I think the most conservative position when there is no
(my opinion) photographic evidence is to say that there probably was a weather cover but it just wasn't rigged, at least at the time of Titanic's sea trials. The fitting out photo of the port profile shows quite a number of conditions that were different than the sailing appearance. Even in this photo I can't identify a weather cover.
(Bruce can). So, you look at the photos, consider the arguments, and decide. That's all I did. There are a lot of things that folks think SHOULD
be but which the hard evidence doesn't support. I think this is one of those.
Regards,
Bob Read
: Wait a minute. Are you saying that the top of that gangway had a removable cover?
: I had always assumed that it was a one piece solid steel cover with a watertight door permantly mounted.
: I don't know if you can compare it with the ones next to the bridge due to the fact that they led down into a little "vestibule" (for lack of a better word) on A deck which was open to the outside. Rain water or whatever could just run down the stairs and out the openings on A deck and onto the deck. The one aft of the third funnel casing led right into the ship, with nowhere for water to go.
: Furthermore, the covers over the ones next to the bridge WERE a solid cover very early on in Olympic's construction, according to one of the construction photos. They were appanently "cut down" later. I assume Titanic always had the low bulwarks on the ones next to the bridge. Again, I would think that they were cut down because they were deemed unnecessary. The one aft of #3 would still be needed.
: Forgive me if I am behind the times. If you have evidence that shows otherwise, I'll retract.
: : Mike:
: : The real question was whether the upper curved part or "weather cover" if you will, was ever rigged on Titanic. My position is that I can't identify it in a photo that should show it. It wouldn't be a major faux paus to have it in place.
: :
: : Regards,
: : Bob Read
: : : : For what its worth, I have decided to play it safe on the issue of the weather cover over the crew stairway that was just aft of the stokehold vent aft of funnel #3. Movie models have shown this stairway with a weather cover rigged. One of the few photos which show this weather cover rigged is the Olympic photo taken from the top of the fourth funnel. I suspect that's where the modelers got the idea for the configuration of the weather cover. This area is very difficult to see on Titanic. You almost have to have a profile shot
: : : : to see into this area. There is only one photo of Titanic near the time of sailing that I am aware of that has the necessary clarity to show this area. It is the photo of the port profile of the Titanic about to begin sea trials. It is best shown in Eaton and Haas. I have looked at an enlargement of this photo and in my opinion there was no weather cover rigged. From the time of her trials to her sinking I do not believe the Titanic endured any severe weather so I believe it may never have been rigged. It may have been a light enough structure to have been easily rigged and unrigged.
: : : : This also raises the question of whether or not this
: : : : crew stairway had solid bulwarks around it like the ones around the crew stairways forward on the boat deck. I don't know. The Olympic appears to have them
: : : : so I think it would be a safe guess to say that the Titanic would also. At least there is no evidence which contradicts solid bulwarks.
: : : : If I were modelling this area I would show built up solid bulwarks but no weather cover if I was going to show Titanic at the time of her sailing.
: : : Bob, based on the movie/Olympic evidence you have sited I removed the square dual doored one from the model and made a single doored (to starboard) rounded one like a
: : : half of a D (i.e. quarter circle). I am satisfied with this shape and feel it is more accurate than the model's rendition.