The Sinking Titanic


When the Titanic departed from Southampton on April 10th 1912, on her maiden voyage from England to the USA, it was a farewell to the celebrity event of the year: princes, lords and ladies, millionaires, the superstars of the day, flocks of VIPs, business tycoons, rising politicians and a host of other people of note were there at Dock 8 to bid her (Titanic) Bon Voyage. For the humbler folk too, it was an occasion to enjoy and exploit to the full, it was almost like a public holiday, with workers in their best outfits, children with balloons, flags, rattles and ice-cream, mothers dolled up like the Queen of Sheba and hundreds of other nobodies trying their best to have a good time. Everyone was in a jubilant mood; nobody expected and nobody knew of their impending doom...

After numerous waves of goodbyes and flying kisses were exchanged, the luxurious ocean liner propelled away from the anchorage and was set to sail. Everyone was overawed by the Titanic's elegant furnishings, sumptuous draperies, private promenade decks and above all; the Titanic's majestic size. With safety lifeboats and countless amount of life jackets provided, Titanic was enveloped with an air of invincibility. However, not even the ultimate size and technical superiority of the Titanic was invincible enough to withstand the mighty force of nature. It was still destined to sink.

Being one of the first class passengers on board (the Titanic), I, like everyone else, was having a remarkable time. I wined and dined and spent the entire part of my journey either joining the celebrations in the ballroom or merely contenting myself with the magnificent view of the ocean form the top of the grand liner. Everything went smoothly until we reached the Atlantic Ocean, where the mighty Titanic succumbled to the brutal strength of nature and marked a major historical catastrophe which is still remembered until present day.

The calamitous event started when no heed was paid the plaintive cries of certain crew members to slow down the giant vessel. Unsurprisingly, Titanic ran into its doom when it hit in iceberg at top speed. Feeling the nasty knock of the Titanic hitting the iceberg; everyone froze with our eyes wide open and hands grasping onto any objects rooted to the floor. With hearts in our throats, every capacity of the giant vessel was engulfed in silence. Everyone was waiting and anticipating the outcome of the untimely accident, praying silently and shutting their eyes hard. Miraculously, everyone's ardent faith towards Titanic's invincibility faded upon feeling the great impact of the collision. Cold sweats trickled down my face as my heart knock hard against my ribs. I myself started to shake thinking of the enigmatical possibilities of surviving this catastrophe as everyone was pessimistic about Titanic's chances of staying afloat.

Naive hopes of reaching safely to land were dashed, as orders of assembling onto main deck with each passenger equipped with life jackets were given out. It was announced that we had only an hour to evacuate before the Titanic would gradually sink. Everyone was astonished, "How could the Titanic sink?" Pandemonium struck as everyone in total disarray, fighting for survival. Panic filled the air as masses of people running helter-skelter contradicted the usually calm and detached manner of the noble-class people. It was then I began to think of the humbler folks. Amidst the panic and fear, these people were oblivious towards humanity and compassion.

With heavy heart, I made my way towards the main deck preparing myself for the escape. Though nervous of not being able to survive, I still felt bad of my unheroic act. It was freezing out there and the chaotic atmosphere sent chills down my spine. As the women and children in the upper-class were slowly lowered into safety boats, the bow of the ship was submerged. The cold water gates used to prevent the lower-class community from escaping were eventually torn down and the situation became worse as they rushed out, incensed, at being left to die. Chaos struck and priceless time was lost amidst the hustle and bustle, making the rescue mission an arduous task.

Due to the pushing and shoving of the people onboard the ship, I was wretchedly pushed off the edge into the cold, piercing water. Fortunately, a lifeboat was nearby and I paddled vigorously towards it as the extremely cold water pierced through my skin. My legs were numb. Breathing like a horse after a race, I clutched onto the side of the boat in desperation and relief. I was then pulled up onto the boat with a thick blanket wrapped around me. I was shivering hard and my teeth were chattering. As the boat rowed away from the ship, I looked up towards the ship with shock sorrow. Just then, the lights suddenly went out and cries of fear and panic were heightened as the ship was stooping nearer and nearer to 90 degress; sending numerous numbers of bodies flying off the edge, plunging into the water.

Eventually, the whole Titanic's bow was submerged and it floated 90 degress on the sea. It was like watching a stake being driven into the heart of ocean. The sight of people trying to hold on to their lives, grasping on to poles and railings was a sad sight. The ship stayed in that position for two minutes before it gradually sank deep into the ocean, drowning the cries of the unfortunate ones.

Countless corpses floated onto the sea, cold and motionless. Time stood still and everyone hung their heads low, recollecting the moments of anguish and witnessing the deaths of fellow human beings. After hours of waiting, an alerted vessel came to the survivor's rescue. I was relieved as I could not handle my mental toughness any longer. Thinking back, I learnt that nothing in a Man's creation is ever greater than nature. For Titanic, she was like a cylinder, a great black husk, outlined against the sky.


Done By: Farlinah