9th of April, 1912
I’ll never get tired of this view; the clear, blue sky and the calmly swelling sea through a small round window. It is as if someone threw a bag of crystals on blue velvet, with the way the sun glints on the water’s surface.
I’m writing this in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Travelling by sea has always felt special to me, and it’s wonderful to discover that it still does. Sure feels particularly special when it’s with RMS Olympic. ”The Old Reliable”.
Usually I’d love to do my writing on the deck, but given the breeze outside and the icebergs passing by my window, I’m making the most of this spacious first class cabin! With a desk and a rather comfortable chair!
Such luxury on this ship! There’s a smoking lounge, and I couldn’t believe the Turkish bath! The heat and the steam take me back to the saunas in my dear homeland.
The luxuries within the Turkish bath as observed by Johnny Cigarette
We left England five days ago towards New York, where I’m planning on making several new acquaintances. I’ll be sure to write about those encounters later on. My original intention was to travel to America with Olympic’s brand new sister vessel. My dear friend Captain Edward Smith was able to arrange me a cabin for her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York but as I had arrived in England I was given the unfortunate news that the ship would not be ready on time. Although a bit disappointed, I stuck to my intended schedule and thus I’m now on the Old Reliable on my way to America.
However I did make time to enjoy a delightful dinner with Captain Smith before my departure. He has the most wonderful anecdotes and is quite the storyteller. He has a very immersive way of speaking that just grabs you directly into the stories. This time, in that atmospheric restaurant, he told me more about the new cruise ship.
Captain Smith’s immersive storytelling, imagined by Johnny Cigarette
Apparently it’s going to be massive. She is as long as the Empire State Building is tall (and standing proud at my destination!) The ship will hold such high-end luxuries the world has yet to see, and according to the Captain, she’s built in such a revolutionary way that she’s practically unsinkable. I have my doubts.
The Captain and I agreed that we would meet again in New York and he promised to bring me back to England on that new ship. I simply can’t wait!
I’m sure that this new cruise ship will leave her mark on maritime history as one of the greatest vessels ever built. She’s supposed to leave England tomorrow and already its arrival is scheduled seven days later! That speed is unheard of! I’ll be impatiently waiting to experience a voyage on a ship with such a marvelous name - Titanic.
Publisher’s note: You made it ‘til the end, fantastic! Be sure to check out mr. Cigarette’s brilliant works @johnnycigarettex
xoxo