Catt Dahman: Titanic 1912: A Lovecraft Mythos Novel

The Captain was an added benefit for this trip, as most, wealthier travelers would sail only with him, not only for his excellent naval reputation, but also for his superior manners, joviality, and grandiosity. His place aboard was expected as he had formerly commanded the Titanic ’s sister ship, the Olympic, which had suffered a collision, one near collision, and a few voyages when she had thrown her propeller. The Titanic’s maiden voyage was delayed a month because the builders were forced to send her parts to her sister ship so the Olympic might stay in service.

Beaming proudly, the Captain leaned down to pet the Astor’s Airedale, Kitty, who looked all around at the activity and panted with interest as she watched men and women arriving or leaving the ship. She was one of seven dogs brought aboard. Many passengers and crew stopped to pet her.

First officer William Murdoch, emulating the Captain, clasped Mr. Astor’s hand firmly and expressed interest in the man’s real estate business; he flashed warm smiles at all the women and then grasped Howard’s hand and welcomed him. “Would that be some of your writing work, Sir?” He motioned to the leather bag Howard carried.

He was expected to know a little about each of the first class guests, and if his memory were as sharp as he thought, this gentleman was an American writer and poet and would be working while on the trip to New York. For all the amenities the big ships offered, men and some women spent a great deal of time writing letters or working on little stories.

Before the end of the trip, he would have listened to poems, short stories, and story ideas, as well as have looked upon countless sketches of anything from sea monsters and plant anatomy to naughty hand-drawn French postcards and stick figures. Mr. Murphy always was privy to a range of creativity.

“It is my work. I hope to begin some stories or a novel, perhaps, while I am aboard. It seems to have the proper affecting mood to allow me a bit of morbid inventiveness.”

“I hope that the tone is instead is one of positivity,” Murdoch said.

“Sir, I doubt anything I write shall be positive as we are simply not masters of our own fate. There are so many forces among us that we certainly are not capable of understanding and goodly so, for that knowledge….”

“Enough! Oh, Howard,” Delora chided her nephew, “we are about to have a darb adventure and enjoy ourselves. Please contain yourself. Now, who will show us to our cabins?” Her eyes cautioned Murdoch against asking any more about her nephew’s writing.

Howard’s moods vexed her.

He was, in turn, embarrassed about being corrected since he was only answering a question as well and fully as he could. It seemed to him that if one did not wish to know, then he should not ask.

Charles Lightoller the Second Officer shook his head, wondering about the statement the young man made. He was about the same age as the First Officer, but was a more hardened, sea-experienced man with a heavy jaw and piercing eyes.

He acted quickly, motioning a steward forward, “Edward Daniels, steward. Mr. Daniels, please show the gentleman and ladies to their compartments. If you will, please be sure to attend to these guests especially closely.”

“Oh, Mr. Lightoller, how considerate,” Delora said.

Howard nodded but thought to himself that this probably was a euphemism for the steward to watch him close in case he were so inclined to jump off the stern one evening and end it all; it almost caused Howard to smile.

“I can assure you that this man will serve your every need and make your stay enjoyable.”

To Howard’s chagrin, his aunts were almost giggling, but as he caught Lightoller’s eyes, he saw a bit of a twinkle and knew this was another way the White Star Line of ships’ officers made guests feel special.

He gave the officer a nod of thanks for making the old gals feel giddy as young girls. Delora and Annie both seemed to feel as special as the Astors, and that was a priceless gift.

Howard thought the Captain was capable, that Mr. Murdoch was a good seaman (but possibly a bit tender-emotioned), but that Mr. Lightoller was a far more intelligent man that most realized.

Behind that passive, strong face was a very capable and sturdy personality that Howard thought to work in as a character in one of his own bits of writing.

Lightoller had piercing eyes that were likely to miss nothing.

Howard and his aunts followed Daniels, the steward, as he pointed out various, amazing features as proudly as if the ship were his own. He asked after their maid.

“She is in second class, Sir, and will come up for her duties,” Annie said. “We found her in London and brought her along, but we’re not accustomed to having a maid with us all the time.”

“No? How curious. You are ladies what can buckle her own boots, I bet?” he grinned as he asked.

Delora let loose with peals of laughter. For all her sternness at times, she could let go of her proper manners at times and enjoy a jest, “Oh that is wonderful. Annie, let’s remember to tell everyone back home that.”

Annie wiped tears of mirth from her eyes, “I shall not likely forget.”

Howard decided that he liked Daniels immensely.

As the wealthiest man aboard, if not in the entire world, John Astor was watched by other passengers, as he and his very young wife nodded to them while they followed their dog and the stewards.

Other stewards greeted Kitty and took her leash to hand to another steward. A well-dressed, personal maid greeted them when they opened the door to the suite.

If anyone thought it unusual or spectacle, he turned his face and smiled instead. Although public opinion was divided on the subject of Astor divorcing his wife and remarrying, the men and women aboard the ship were quickly won over by Mr. Astor’s hardy good looks, by his wife, Maddy’s innocent, soft eyes and gentle manners, and by the fact that Astor made it a habit to thank each person who helped them. He hailed friends, tipped his hat dozens of time to the ladies, even to those of a lower class, asked after friends’ families, and still remained attentive to Maddy.

“Hello, Captain, fair seas, I hope?” A woman greeted the captain with a strong voice and happy waves to other guests. She almost had missed seeing the Astors’ arrival; something that everyone had agreed was not to be missed. Beautifully dressed and terribly wealthy, she was American and from a strong family stock. Little did she know that many passengers awaited her arrival as well, just to see the outspoken Mrs. Brown.

“Madame, thank you for joining us on this voyage.” Captain Smith gave Maggie Brown a faint bow and smiled winningly, “It is wonderful to see you. When I saw you had booked passage, I dare say I was overjoyed at being at your service.”

“Good to see you, too. You are such a honeyed-talker. How could I miss a sail-over with my favorite Captain?”

“I am flattered, Ma’am.”

“I hope the dining room and gymnasium are both ready for me,” She laughed loudly. As an American, she was louder than the British: buxom and immediately likable. Her exuberance and friendliness were contagious. Men liked her straightforward, no nonsense manners while women felt her trustworthy and sensible. If her dresses were a bit outdated, it was only because she liked them in that style and did not allow others to rule her choices.

“We’ve the warm pool if you so want a little exercise. What is better than a bit of a warm bath while building muscles?” Captain Smith made his arm muscle tighten and held it out to Mrs. Smith.

“Oh, Captain, you have found magic then. I think you are becoming younger,” Maggie Brown declared as she and the officers laughed.