Wednesday-Thursday 

Groups 1-2 Task: Write a diary entry as though you are a member of the crew onboard the Titanic after it struck the iceberg. 

Before you begin this task: 

• Go through the diary entry powerpoint below. 
• Watch the youtube clip about a crew member who survived the Titanic. 
• Look at Titanic fact posters to refresh your memory from P6. 

Crew Members 

Remember - You are a SURVIVOR 

Job examples to consider: 

• Steward 
• Maid 
• Chef/Waiter/Waitress 
• Fireman 
• Part of the orchestra 
• Engineer 
• Look-Out 

Possible timeline of events to follow (this is just an example - be creative) 

• Sudden awakening from a sleeping maid who is off duty - the sound of commotion. 
• Scrambling to get dressed - panic and hysteria - confusion of what is happening? 
• Chaos in the dorms - conversations between colleagues explaining an iceberg has hit!! 
• Water streaming down the stairs and levels beginning to rise. 
• Survival instincts kick in as you manage to get to the deck. 
• Your reaction as you see the reality of the ship, breaking and sinking. 
• What do you hear? The band playing? Families being separated? People jumping overboard? 
• Being loaded on to the lifeboat - the bitter cold piercing your skin. 
• Watching as the ship submerges. 
• Returning to the shore and feeling thankful you have survived, but devastated at the tragedy you have experienced. 

Example of a high level diary entry: 

Dear Diary, 

I survived a miracle today, even as I am writing this now my hands are quaking with adrenaline. I remember sleeping gracefully until I was woken by a horrifying high pitched grinding sound. The sounds of women and children crying deafened me. I plundered out of bed and into the hallway, men were pushing past people hastily, scrambling to be reunited with their families. I heard the echo of my crew members shouting, "STAY CALM, STAY CALM, evacuate your cabins!" 

I quickly abandoned my 1st class cabin and headed to the orchestra room, where I have played the piano dutifully each day. The conductor said swiftly, "We must play on until the very end." The mood was rather sombre, I stood paralysed in shock - as the chaos unfolded around me. I was determined to play with the band but it would be nearly impossible to haul the piano onto the main deck. I hurriedly helped the others gather their instruments and trudged through the water which was now up to my knees. 

As I walked on to the deck I couldn't believe my eyes. The crowds of people scavenging for the lifeboats looked like swarms of bees, humming around a hive. Suddenly, a vast mountainous wave crashed on to the boat. The windows smashed, fragmented glass pelting like torrential rain through the air. I do not remember how, for the panic had overtaken me and I was in a trance - but I found myself in a lifeboat, rowing robotically. We rowed and rowed until we were safely away from the boat. 

We watched, distraught as the great ship broke in half and plunged into the depths of the ocean. I survived today and it was a miracle.