Posted by Mike Pell on June 29, 1998 at 09:23:57 in james.hwcn.org:
In Reply to: The Olympic photo posted by Michael Turano on June 28, 1998 at 22:24:51:
: In reference to the Olympic Photo, I happened to be watching
: a 2-hour TV special called "Titanic: Secrets Revealed"
: which in the second half of the show, has a photo of
: the Titanic after launch (this appears in Titanic: An
: Illustrated History) on page 23. The quality of the
: photo shown on the special is superior to that in the
: book. The line is distinctive, going around the
: poop deck, with the ships' name clearly visible.
: Unfortunately, I am unable to get the image off the
: TV to scan.
: Also on page 19 of the same book, there is a color
: painting of the Mauretania that has this same type
: stripe.
Hello Mike. The Olympic photo sent by Bob is convincing in that a stripe did exist at one time at least on the Olympic. Steve and I have also come across a photo of the launching of the Britannic in February 1914. It is a very clear photo in Bonsall's book Greatest Shipwrecks Of The 20th century. It appears almost certainly that the same painted line is there and is not just reflected light. If this is true then we would have evidence that both the Olympic and Brittanic had them so it would be logical to assume so would have the Titanic. The photo of the Titanic leaving Belfast on her sea trials in Lynch's Illustrated History is one of the better photos to support `thin line' existance. Ship appearances were important and accenting lines would have been undertaken as period photos of ships from them show. The strong possibility that both of Titanic's sister ships may have this thin stern line painted swings the painted line theory for the Titanic as well. Hopefully others will investigate these photos
suggested and add their thoughts. I only have a cheap hand scanner but I'll try and send Sean the Brittanic photo. The book's version being much clearer leaves little doubt. I think Bob Read is right on this one.