Remembering the Titanic

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Published: Apr 12, 2012

Remembering the Titanic

One hundred years ago this weekend, the Titanic hit an iceberg and began to sink. It was called a floating island and someone said not even God could sink it. Like a modern Tower of Babel, that was proved wrong. More than 1,500 lost their lives. The hubris of the owners who wanted speed and thought more life boats would clutter the main deck and be an eyesore were responsible for there being too few of them.

Listening to readers on BBC Radio read some of the letters from survivors and those written in advance by passengers who died is sobering.

There was much heroism on the ship. Many demonstrated Christian charity by sending women and children into the lifeboats and not themselves. Most of the men died. Virtually all of the women and children escaped, even in third class.

The Titanic has inspired books and at least three movies. The latest has a made-up love story. The real story of this monstrous ship and who was on it is worth reading. The Titanic Visitor Center in Belfast is worth seeing. A website gives you the flavor of it.

In Northern Ireland, I'm Cal Thomas.

Publication date: April 13, 2012

Remembering the Titanic