Titanic Historical Society

The Titanic Historical Society, Inc. (THS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1963, whose purpose is the preservation of the history of the famous ocean liner RMS "Titanic", which sank on April 15, 1912, in one of the greatest maritime disasters in history.

Headquartered in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, (USA), its founder and president is Edward S. Kamuda. Principal activities of the THS include:

*Quarterly publication of a magazine, "The Titanic Commutator".
*The "Titanic" Museum in Indian Orchard featuring an extensive collection of artifacts donated by "Titanic" survivors.
*An annual membership convention where experts present in-depth information about various aspects of the "Titanic" catastrophe and memorabilia is available.

For many years, the remaining survivors of the "Titanic's" ill-fated maiden voyage were honored guests at THS conventions. In April, 1992, the THS commemorated the 80th anniversary of the disaster in Boston, Massachusetts. The event brought together several living survivors, including Eva Hart, Louise Pope, Michel Marcel Navratil, and Beatrice Sandstrom, who enthralled those in attendance with their vivid first-person accounts of the night the "Titanic" foundered in the north Atlantic Ocean. Walter Lord, author of the seminal "Titanic" work, "A Night to Remember", was another featured guest. The THS also works to preserve the history of other ocean liners, especially the "Titanic" 's sister ship, the White Star Line's "HMHS Britannic", which sank after hitting an enemy mine in World War I, and the Cunard ship "RMS Lusitania". The society also publishes articles about various other famous ships, such as the "RMS Queen Mary" and "SS Normandie", in "The Titanic Commutator".

The Titanic Historical Society has long been a strong supporter of Dr. Robert Ballard's exploration of the "Titanic" wreckage and he frequently speaks at THS conventions. The THS also participated in the filming of James Cameron's hit 1997 movie "Titanic" and some members even appeared on-screen as extras.

Although the THS supports exploration of the "Titanic" wreck site, it opposes salvage of items from the ship, stating in a 2005 "Commutator" issue, "the wreck is a gravesite to those that died that night and should be treated as a memorial" to the lives lost.

The Titanic Historical Society participates with the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Ice Patrol in the annual April 15th wreath-drop ceremony over the Atlantic Ocean where the "Titanic" now rests.

"Commutator" magazine

Since its founding in 1963, the Society has regularly distributed a journal to members. Over the years the publication has steadily increased in scope and depth. "The Titanic Commutator" is now published quarterly as a full-color illustrated magazine reporting on "Titanic" research and passenger stories, along with other notable ships from the "Golden Age" of transatlantic steamship travel.

At the time of the filming of James Cameron's movie, "Titanic", for example, the "Commutator" provided extensive, behind-the-scenes coverage of set construction and details not shown in the final movie release.

External links

* [http://www.titanichistoricalsociety.org Titanic Historical Society] – official website