The Convergence of the Twain by Thomas Hardy

I
In a solitude of the sea
Deep from human vanity,
And the Pride of Life that planned her, stilly couches she.

II
Steel chambers, late the pyres
Of her salamandrine fires,
Cold currents thrid, and turn to rhythmic tidal lyres.

III
Over the mirrors meant
To glass the opulent
The sea-worm crawls-grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent.

IV
Jewels in joy designed
To ravish the sensuous mind
Lie lightless, all their sparkles bleared and black and blind.

V
Dim moon-eyed fishes near
Gaze at the gilded gear
And query: "What does this vaingloriousness down here?"...

VI
Well: while was fashioning
This creature of cleaving wing,
The Immanent Will that stirs and urges everything

VII
Prepared a sinister mate
For her - so gaily great -
A Shape of Ice, for the time far and dissociate.

VIII
And as the smart ship grew
In stature, grace, and hue,
In shadowy silent distance grew the Iceberg too.

IX
Alien they seemed to be:
No mortal eye could see
The intimate welding of their later history,

X
Or sign that they were bent
by paths coincident
On being anon twin halves of one august event,

XI
Till the Spinner of the Years
Said "Now!" And each one hears,
And consummation comes, and jars two hemispheres.

Dear Lucy

Once again, I am feeling a strong desire to understand more about this amazing ship. I bought porcelain plates yesterday planning to create a neat design, though I had not decided what. Then, as I was searching for colors of paint, I came up with an idea. I want to design the plates according to the Lusitania's plate designs. At Cunard-Whitestarline.com (interesting to see the rival ship companies united), they have detailed information about the patterns of the fine china. I even found a photograph of china that has been recovered from the wreck.

Then, as I continued my search, I ran into an old website I used to visit all the time. It was my least favorite Lusitania website in the past, but one of the only ones. Anyway, I found this:


A cushion from the music room that was recovered only the day after the sinking, May 8th, 1915! This may not be the most exciting thing for others, but I shouted, "Oh my!" (Afterward, I was surprised at such a silly outburst, but still!) A cushion from the Lusitania! This Lusitania site has definitely redeemed itself in my eyes. Now it can go to being the second least favorite instead of the first--I'm not sure what has taken its place. I'll let you know when I decide.

This has given me inspiration for so many things. I want to resume my novel, which I had put aside for a long time--I needed a break from the thing. I've been working on it for the past ten years. I also am inspired to create a comprehensive Lusitania website. At one point in my life I was in contact with Eric Sauder (a few brief emails when I was 18), a Lusitania historian. Wouldn't it be awesome to find contact again and receive his help in creating a historically accurate, information-packed website? If you agree, please let me know.

1920s White Star Line Film :

The following is a video from White Star Line showing Titanic's sister ship, Olympic. The ships were fairly similar, and this video is very nicely done. Take a look and let me know what you think.

1920s White Star Line Film :

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