The Fictional Officers of the Titanic
In the night of Sunday 14 April 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. Two hours and forty minutes later the Titanic sank. About 1,500 people were killed in the disaster, approximately 700 survived.
Ever since then the story of the Titanic has been retold countless times, in film, fiction, documentaries and non-fiction books. The interest in the disaster waxes and wanes, the amount of books published etc. varies over the time, of course, but as the centenary approaches it seems that the Titanic's story is here to stay. (Click here for my thoughts on why the Titanic and her story is here to stay.)
It is my intention to continue my research in this field and, if possible, expand the aspects I am examining. For now, it is the fictional officers of the Titanic that have attracted my attention. (Click here for a brief description of the real Officers and their roles in the night the Titanic sank as well as in fiction and film.)
The following are highly opinionated pieces, some more humorous, some more analytical, written by someone with an evident tendency to be an insufferable know-it-all.
Spoiler Warning! The discussion of the fictional officers include descriptions of the plot. If you haven't read the novels and wish to read them without knowing what is going to happen, don't read this.
1. The Original "Fictional" Officers. A Case of Misspellings
2. Third Officer Max Dittmar-Pittmann. Memoirs of an Imposter
Dittmar-Pittmann, Max, Ein Menschenalter auf dem Meere. Erlebnisse und Abenteuer eines alten Seemannes (K. F. Koehler, Berlin und Leipzig, 1926).
3. Third Officer Eriksson, Iceberg Expert, and Chief Engineer Vickers
Robert Prechtl, Der Untergang der Titanic (original title 'Titanensturz', orig. publ. c. 1935, Mohndruck GmbH, Gütersloh, no year)
4. Third Officer Hans Erik Petersen, and Assorted Misspelled Officers
Josef Pelz von Felinau, Titanic (orig. publ. 1939, Maindruck, Frankfurt am Main, 2nd ed. 1998).
5. First Officer Petersen. "Am Deutschen Wesen soll die Welt genesen."
Titanic, (Werner Klingler, Herbert Selpin), Germany, 1943
6. Officer Jackson. A Case of Missing Research?
Titanic, (Jean Nagulesco), USA, 1953
7. Junior Third Officer John Bigalow. A Question of Survival
Clive Cussler, Raise the Titanic(1976), (1980).
8. Joseph Murdoch: Unknown Twin Brother or Escapee from a Parallel Universe?
SOS Titanic, 1979
9. Officer Boxy. Amalgamated Officers.
Titanic,1996
10. Third Officer Murrows. No Historical People Allowed
Titanic. An Adventure out of time
11. Officer Fred Bishop. A Question of Murder
William Seil, Sherlock Holmes and the Titanic Tragedy. A Case to Remember (1996)
Next to the fictional officers a number of additional crew can be found as well
- a) A German Electrician Called H. Hesse
- H. Hesse, Der Untergang der Titanic. Bericht eines Überlebenden (1927)
- b) Seven Musicians. Music and Poetic Licence
- Erik Fosnes Hansen, Psalm at Journey's End (1990)
- c) Dr McCoy and Chief Engineer Nordstrom. No Research Required
- Jim Walker, Murder on the Titanic (1998)
- d) Dr Gareth Burton. Another Question of Murder
- Sam McCarver, The Case of Cabin 13, The First John Darnell Mystery (Signet, New York, 1999)
Bibliography and Film List
Chronological Bibliography and Film List
Work in Progress
Who is where?
An attempt to compile a listing of which person (from a certain selection) features in which fictional rendition of the tragedy. Who appears more often Thomas Andrews or Harold Bride? Captain Rostron or Captain Lord?
What shows up where?
The novella 'Futility' is mentioned in several novels, as is a cursed mummy, there are several plots involving a bomb, and the latest fashion seems to be for the heroes of the tale to help steerage passengers to reach the boats.
Saved on Collapsible B?
Collapsible B, the upturned life-boat, is the escape route of choice for a number of fictional characters.
Links
Acknowledgments
I am currently in the process of recreating this web-page after it lay dormant for years.
Please excuse spelling mistakes and errors caused by applied stupidity.
Monika Simon
If you have any suggestions, complaints or comments, please e-mail me at: Melissa_McF at Yahoo.co.uk
