Posted by Scott Andrews on March 23, 2000 at 17:52:03:
In Reply to: Bruce, here's a challenge posted by Doug May on March 23, 2000 at 15:51:33:
: Bruce
...I would really like to hear what you and the rest of the experts have to say about the true color of the deck planking. Again, for accuracy, we might all be way off in our depiction of the color...
...I bet none of us are truly accurate because I have seen so many different opinions on what paint to use, what shades, it all seems to be everyone's opinions.
: So what IS the real color of the deck planking? Do we have any idea?...
Doug,
This is something I've been thinking about for a while. The only accurate way that I can think to determine this for ourselves (short of coming across decent color photos of such a deck surface, or someone with first-hand knowledge) would be by experimentation. One would need several dozen board feet of long leaf yellow pine board laid down outside, fully exposed to the elements, and convienient access to both the correct sort of cleaning equipment (holystones, etc.) and a ready supply of salt water, with which the wood would have to be cleaned on a regular basis. In addition to the foot traffic experienced, this is what would have produced the appearance and coloring of those decks.
Now, while it is true that the Titanic was brand new and that her decks would have looked different from those on a ship with similar decking that had been in service for several years, we have to remember that those decks were laid down quite a few months prior to her entry into service. Even a new ship's decks would show some evidence of weathering and bleaching from sun, rain and cleaning. I'm not entirely sure most of us would really like the look on our models of how these decks might have really appeared.
Regards,
Scott