TITANIC. Conclusion.

[Kitosdad]

We made two more short stops to pick-up other passengers before we were fully under way, then it was full steam ahead for New York.
I was longing to set foot in America. Maybe I would even get to see some film-stars there.
Our work was arduous, forever pandering to our rich clientele, but I told myself that this was all part of the job.
"Just keep your head down and do what you are asked," was the advice that I had been given by Chalkie, so I did just that.

The size of the ship was enormous.
I remember thinking that it would take me weeks to memorise the many different alleyways and routes back to my own cabin, let alone the cabins of the passengers.
If only I had known then that in only three short days that it would be the lifeboats that would be receiving my greatest attention.

The next couple of days passed in a flash, so busy were we kept hurrying about pandering to the many wants of the passengers. We barely had time to sleep what with the noise and vibration of the giant propellors.

It was bitterly cold on deck and we had to move around quickly to keep warm. The first and second-class passenger were forever wanting things and it was our job to keep them happy, no matter what.

Chalkie and I were busy running from cabin to cabin with hot drinks and sandwiches for the many passengers.
It was a moonless night and extremely cold, and a drama was slowly unfolding, unbeknown to we lowly crew.
It wasn't until the glancing blow from the giant iceberg shook the ship from stem to stern that we realised that something was wrong.
The forward movement of the ship was slowed and we finally came to a dead-stop.
Passengers were coming onto the main deck to enquire as to what had happened.

The sea was totally calm and the giant iceberg sailed slowly past the ship.
"Probably just a prang with a small berg," laughed Chalkie, but before I could reply the ship started to list alarmingly
.
It was frightening, although some of the officers were walking the main-deck informing the passengers that all was well and that we would soon be under way again.
The passengers began to return to their cabins and all indeed did seem well, until the abandon ship alarm was sounded.
The crew started to make free the lifeboats and the passengers donned life-jackets.

Many of the first-class passenger refused to believe that the ship was in trouble and refused point blank to go into the lifeboats.
As a consequence of their actions the first couple of lifeboats were not even half filled to their potential capacities.
These boats struck out and cleared the sinking Titanic.
As the list became more pronounced people did accept that this was indeed an emergency and many clamoured to board the lifeboats.
The crews job was to ensure that only women and children were to be allowed entry into the lifeboats, although one vicar was very prominent shouting this order from within his lifeboat.

Captain Smith demanded that orderly queues be formed, and the English obeyed his instructions, but many Americans forced their way to the front of the lines despite the protesting voices behind them.

As the last of the newly filled lifeboats were lowered many people began jumping into the sea in the vain hope that the lifeboats would be forced to rescue them, but their hopes were dashed when the boats were rowed quickly beyond their reach.

One or two of the lesser-filled boats did return and picked up some victims, but even they rowed away from the ship in the belief that the undertow of the sinking liner might drag them under too.

Chalkie and I were among the last people to jump into the freezing sea.
We struck out for a partially submerged lifeboat that had been cut free when its lines had became entangled in the davits.
It was barely afloat as we scrambled aboard.
All around were people crying for help, but there was little we could do.
It was so cold and dark.
We prayed that rescue was on its way.
Surely the radio-operator had sent out distress calls, and vessels would be charging toward our last known position.

We lay there watching as the majestic Titanic slowly submerged its entire length into the hungry Atlantic.
We wondered how many lives had been lost in this freezing ocean.
The frantic wailing of a child rang through the night, and a small girl came drifting past our boat.

I reached out for her, but she was too far away from my outstretched arms.
I jumped into the water and struck out blindly toward her. As I reached her she clambered up my body and I was in danger of being drowned myself.
She left hold of me and before I could find her again, she was gone.
The cold of the water started to affect my actions and I couldn't even swim.
I trod water and hoped I would recover sufficiently to get back to the boat which was only a few strokes away.

Suddenly I felt calm and warm, and I gave myself up to the sea.
I started to sink, but I felt no fear, but I did feel pain as someone grabbed my hair and dragged me to the surface. It was my pal Chalkie.
"C'mon, swim for your bloody life," he shouted, and we set off the the submerged lifeboat.
Once more we clambered on board of it and lay there gasping.
Chalkie just grinned and said,"Glad to have you on-board again Mate."

We drifted for some time, but eventually one of the partially filled lifeboats found us and we gladly boarded it.
We still had to wait for a couple of more hours before rescue vessels appeared, but eventually we we were aboard and were taken to America.

After a long drawn-out inquest we were allowed to return to England.
My parents were waiting on the dockside, and as I walked down the
gangway I vowed never again to go to sea.

My mother was delighted to hear of my decision, and I went to work in a coal-mine.
Having escaped the depths of the cruel sea, I was now delivering myself to the bowels of the earth,.................................. but that's another story.

Kitos.

Titanic.
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Keep it simple. Keep it interesting.

[Kiprida]

Arduous- a new word I've learned! I have probably 100 GRE words beginning with "A" to learn.That was good to meet that word in sentence, this way I can remember it easily :)

"And the passengers donned life-jackets." I can't find the verb 'donne' or 'donn' in the dictionary. As I understood, it means to put on, right?

The story is ok, but when you know what is going to happen it looses the agitation.

~Phoebe
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incomplete....

[SkiIucK]

Hi Phoebe,

It is "don" and "doff". I'm certain you'll guess the meaning of the latter.

[Kitosdad]

"As I understood, it means to put on, right?"

Good morning Phoebe and Ski. Yes, you are correct. To put on your clothing.

Unfortunately the story is, as you say, too well known to be of any great interest, however I just wanted to keep my fingers busy.

To doff, usually relates to a mans hat. He doffs his hat to passing female aquaintances.
:) :)

Bill.
_________________
Keep it simple. Keep it interesting.

[SkiIucK]

It's good to know what the word means in different regions. :)

Although it's a wide-spread story, you depicted it decently, Bill.

Have a great day!

[Tomasito]

Kitos, I found some words in you essay which got me puzzled. What's the meaning of "pandering"? I didn't find this word on my small dictionary. :idea: there are another words bellow which I'm looking for the meaning:

alleyways
unbeknow
prang
small berg

that's enough!
_________________
I am the product of my education and experience.

[Kitosdad]

[Tomasito]

Good morning! I'm deeply greatfull for you explanation Kitos. One of the keys in the process of learning a language I think is to know words, and words. I like to read your stories, I hope one day I became able to write a lot of essays like you. The problems is my grammar. I don't know How good it is. Of course I'll tell you when I find something that I don't understand. Thanks a lot :wink:
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I am the product of my education and experience.

[Kiprida]

Ski/ Kitos,

Thank you very much for explanations.

Kitos,

Reading a story I'm able so understand the context even if don't understand some words in the text. What do you advise to do: To find translations of every single word of the story or to enjoy reading?

Regards,

~Phoebe
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incomplete....

[Kitosdad]

Good morning dear Phoebe.

My sole intention was to help you all improve on your vocabulary.

I have no problem with a list of words requiring explanation at the end of a story.

That's what I am here for. :)

Kitos.
_________________
Keep it simple. Keep it interesting.

[Kiprida]

Thank you Kitos!

Thank you very much for your help!

~Phoebe
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incomplete....

[Kitosdad]

Just enjoy the story Pheobe. Solitary words need to be read in their correct context, otherwise your confusion will be all the greater.

I'm writing two longer stories at the moment, but I've no idea just where they are leading to.

Kitos.
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Keep it simple. Keep it interesting.

[Kiprida]

Kitos,

We'are waiting for them :) Please don't cut most exciting parts ;)

~Phoebe
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incomplete....

[Kitosdad]

Good morning Phoebe. I honestly have hit a brick wall with both stories.
Perhaps I should never have started them, but I get half of an idea and off I go.

Story of my life I think! :) :)

I need to start something else. Any ideas? What type of stories are your favourites?

Kitos.
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Keep it simple. Keep it interesting.

[Kitosdad]

Good morning Tomasito. You have a good imagination. Give me a theme please.
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Keep it simple. Keep it interesting.