Frank Maguire - Shipbuilder on the Titanic

I remember everything as if it were yesterday. Sandy and I made our way towards Queen’s Island to the deepwater wharf on a dull dreary morning. We had an appointment with the Foreman at Thompson’s Graving Dock. The smell of the River Lagan was the first sign we were nearing the Dock. We joined 14,000 other Workers as they made their way to the shipyard and the biggest dry dock in the world. We were like ants or Lowry’s stick people. The trams were full, some workers hanging on the footplates, some wearing bowler hats (to protect their heads from the hot rivets which the Prods! used to drop accidentally on purpose on them (the R.C’s.) It was a proud day for us because we had been selected to help build the biggest ship in the world and had travelled from Liverpool, where we had worked at Cammell Laird. Still although we had an idea that what we were about to see nothing prepared us for the first sight of the Ship. Ithad staggering dimensions. At that time it was the largest man-made moveable object in the world. The gantry alone was reputed to be higher than St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Foreman had the plans of the ship and he warned us not to wander away from our group or we would never find our way out as the ship was so vast. We followed him to our allotted place of work. One of my tasks was to french polish the grand staircase which was topped by a dome of iron and stained glass from which light flowed onto the stairs and landings. The staircase was greatly admired, as without doubt it was the finest piece of woodwork afloat. The balustrade had yet to be fitted and I can tell you I shivered with fright to look down at the cavernous drop below. I was glad to return to the carvings which were very beautiful. All the woodwork was composed of the choicest of timber, that the world had to offer, Mahogany, Oak, Maple, Pine, Walnut, etc., and nothing but the best was good enough for this ship. Some described it afterwards as “opulence gone mad”. Although the work was good because of using such an array of lovely timber, there was a feeling of unease about the ship. For a start we had all brought our lunches but had to eat where we were working as too much time would be lost going ashore. But try as we would the water would not boil. We tried everything using numerous stoves, primus, etc., but to no avail. We had to drink cold water. Shipbuilders and sailors as you know, are a superstitious lot and this to them was a bad omen. Another odd thing was that several men of our gang went missing mysteriously during the work and were never seen again. In hindsight it was thought that as we were working so hard, and in those days if you didn’t work hard you’d get the tap on the shoulder from the Foreman and your cards. There were plenty of men waiting to replace you. It was thought that they went into a corner for a smoke, which was not allowed (because of the danger of fire) and fell asleep from fatigue and were literally boarded up. It was the only solution we could think of. We were under pressure to get the work done, at all costs, and everything was behind schedule. The ship was due to leave Southampton on her maiden voyage and was booked out with many V.I.P.’s travelling. On one of the days whilst having our break in a corridor my mate Sandy, a red headed Scotsman from Glasgow, who often entertained us singing, opened a door and discovered a lovely ballroom, with a Grand Piano just inside the door, whereupon he opened up the lid and proceeded to play and sing Harry Lander songs which were all the rage at that time. We all joined in the sing song - “ I Love a Lassie....etc” “I Belong to Glasgow’ Dear Old Glasgow Town .....etc” “You certainly are a F***ing common old working man” shouted a stentorian voice of a bearded uniformed man who we later learned was Captain Smith. "How dare you dirty scum defile my beautiful vessel with your F***ing bawdy music hall songs. Get out of here at once ”, and calling on a couple of his followers to put us out and lock the door in case we should go in again. The day was fast approaching when the ship would have to leave Belfast and head down the Irish Sea to Southampton and we had to travel on board and continue working all this time and try to get finished at Southampton. My work finished just one hour before she sailed. Some of my workmates, including Sandy, and some carpenters and plumbers were not finished and gloated over the fact that they would see New York and the Statue of Liberty. Sandy promised to send me a card from the States saying he might not come back at all if work was available there. He was right for once for I never got that “Letter from America”. I was very glad to disembark. My pockets had never been so full. The last 24 hours I had worked non-stop and we were well paid. Even though I was very fatigued and had a long journey ahead of me to my homeport of Liverpool I managed to get a viewing point among the thousands who were gathered to watch the ship sail. There were even l0,000 troops drafted in to control the crowd. The band played. I remember one of the tunes as the British Grenadiers. The ship was dressed over all and the flag of the White Star Line flew from her mast and as she moved into the solent on her prow proudly written her name TITANIC. Frank Maguire, Shipbuilder

Update 2012

Have been to Austria and Tuscany since the last report. Will upload a few photos and some experiences over the next few days.

Swiss Snaps

Swiss Journeys 2011

Another day in Switzerland, and we set out to catch a Paddle Steamer for a trip on Lake Geneva, There was no boat due at Vevey so we got a Bus To Montreux and just as we left a little shop there was a Paddle Steamer coming in to stop. So we managed to get across to the jetty and this was a most majestic Paddle Boat. Over 100 years old it had just be completly restored and returned back to its original condition. The First Class Dining room was like something from the Titanic and the second class for us 'Plebs' was slightly less plush but still more than adequate. The Paddle boats themselves were at one stage retired from active duty but public pressure and public donations meant many have been restored and returned into daily service or during the busy Summer months. For the technical minded the boats no longer run on coal but now on oil and many of the manual 'oiling' jobs have been automated but you can still see the enormous pistons and cylinders and various mechanical bits driving the paddle wheels outside.
The trip lasted as far as Lausanne. There we changed to another Paddle boat and crossed over into France at Evian. Here we had something to eat and as it was in France it was much more reasonable priced. From there I saw a signpost for the re opened Funicular, so we walked up to the Funicular. Again like the Paddle boat the Funi was taken out of service and was closed for many years but was reopened again by private donations about 10 years ago. The Funi itself has been brought back to the 'belle epoque' period but all the engineering has been fully modernised.
The was not much to see at the summit but there was a small shop selling souvenirs and the top staion again had been beautifully renovated and restored.
Photographs to follow later.

Swiss Railway and Boat Holidays IV

Been to Switzerland several times. This time we decided to stay near Vevey which is situated in the French speaking part of Switzerland. Veyey is on Lake Geneva. As before I booked via BnB.ch which is a group of small Hotels, Guest Houses and Bed and Breakfasts and is the most reasonable way to stay in Switzerland. Our accommodation was just outside Vevey and it had it owns train service passing very near the BnB. Had been warned on Trip Advisor that the owner was a bit strict but we had no problems at all. The house was a Luxurious, almost a Villa with its own Swimming Pool and we had no complaints.
The first day having arrived early we caught a train to Montreaux and then on up to a town called Montbovon. From there we got a little narrow gauge train to the Gruyere region and got off at a little town called Bulle. There we had some cakes and tea and a glass of wine is a little old fashioned cafe. We returned home on the 'Golden Pass Panorama train'
The following day we went on a mountain train to Gornergratt, which is opposite the Matterhorn. A special cog-railway bring you right to the summit and even in the middle of Summer it was very cold and there was still snow to be seen everywhere. There was a Hotel and cafe on the summit but we only had coffee and our own snacks. A plate of Chips was eight Euro and with the rent rise of the Swiss Franc that would be nearly nine now, ouch.

First Hols of 2011

Just back after 6 nights in Italy. Stayed in Maestre which is a few Km from Venice. As usual booked on the WWW so it can be a bit hit and miss with the Hotel if you have not stayed in particular hotel before. Luckily there was n problem with the Hotel in fact it was very good value and included a good Buffet Breakfast and the rooms were very good too. Also right outside the Hotel you had a choice of Bus or Tram services. There were direct connections to the Airport, Train station and Venice itself. Only slight problem was we got on number 14 bus from Airport and it has unfortunately changed it route recently due to the new Tram. We should have got No 45 but we will know next time. One of the days we did have a bit of a problem with a sudden total transport strike. the bus brought us the the train station and I got our tickets and went to the Platform and suddenly it went all quiet, no one seemed to know what was happening. Eventually we realised we had to make our way to Venice by Taxi. Having got to Piazza Roma by Taxi there was in fact signs there telling us there was a 24 hour strike including the Vaporetto buses (water Buses). So we walked into Venice through the narrow streets stopping on the way for an ice cream or two and a few drinks as well.

Plans

Next two holidays are already booked. Just done up a map of the places in Europe already visited and marked up the places I hope to return to or visit for the first time. Some places are nice to go again and sometimes I missed something such as the little Blue tram in Barcelona was closed when I visited last Spring. In Porto thy had just opened a new Metro but more interestingly they had started building a new 'Old' tram route in the City Centre but had run out of money. That route opened in 2008. Perhaps on a holiday to Lisbon we could get a train up to Porto and spend a day in Porto and get to see the centre via the old Trams, then stop of at the Cafe Majestic and back to Lisbon.
When In Germany I hoped to go on an old Steam train called the Vulkan Express near Brohl, but arrived on the wrong day so had to make do with a visit to Königswinter, which was a delightful old village which had its own cog wheel railway up to the top of the Drachenfels Hill. So not a wasted journey at all and an excuse to return.
Was in Mallorca a few times but never managed to go to Palma except for a quick tour. Years ago Mum and Dad were there and they went on the Soller Tram and Dad always said to go on it. Its more of a train really and its really the scenery and the twists and turns on the way to Soller that are of interest. I actually got as far as the Tram station but my friends wanted to get back to Santa Ponsa.
Still have plenty of places to see over in the U.K. and having been watching a T.V. series of British Railway Journeys has given me more ideas. Just hope the BBC don't commission some new series of Great European Railway Journeys or I will be traveling forever.