Posted by Bob Read on June 21, 1998 at 22:11:44 in pm3-0-057.apci.net:
I have posted a message similar to this before and have had no reactions or responses. Maybe some of the newer members to the group would like to take up the discussion.
None of Ken Marschall's paintings show the narrow (narrower than the gold band) stripe or band that encircles the poop deck. It starts at nearly the beginning of the poop deck on one side and goes around the stern below the ship and port names and proceeds to the same point on the opposite side of the ship. I used to think it might be gold but I have a photo of the stern of the Olympic that suggests that it might be white or silver because it stands out as much lighter than the gold band that is visible in the photo. I have seen a painting that seems to depict it as white. It can be clearly seen in the photo taken by Father Browne of the Titanic leaving Queenstown. The picture is taken from almost directly astern and just a bit to port. This particular band or wale is painted in other ships of the era, most notably the Lusitania. At this point I'm just trying to decide whether it was white or silver. I'm leaning a little toward white. Any thoughts?
Regards
Bob Read