Posted by Mike Pell on June 22, 1998 at 15:18:23 in james.hwcn.org:
In Reply to: Thin stripe around stern posted by Bob Read on June 21, 1998 at 22:11:44:
: 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
Hello Bob,
From looking at a few photos, it appears that there may be some kind of hilite around the plating of which you speak. Some paintings indicate it looks light greyish, which could be just reflected light from the black plating. Photos do show it where it looks to be painted. Not knowing if it is painted or not, or what colour it is, I opted to paint it the same as the yellow/gold band which ties in the band and port/name registers on the back. Looks okay.
Grey, white, yellow, who knows? Would anyone from Harland and Wolff know?