uuummm...please give me a suggestion for a title, the one i have is only temporary

The Diary of Elizabeth Walton Allen1

Introduction2

I’m sure you’ve all heard of the famous Titanic, who was sunk by an iceberg on her maiden voyage in the April of 1912. But to truly understand the story, you must understand a little of the time period and people, for the world in the beginning of the 20th century is vastly different from now, nearly 100 years later. This was a time of power and luxury in the shipping industry. Companies were building huge, powerful ships that sailed across the ocean. 3

It was in 1903 that the Cunard Line decided to build two extremely large ships, so they could be superior to all others that were sailing at that time. Being nearly 800 feet long and over 30,000 tons, these ships, which were called the Mauritania and the Lusitania, were astounding. They were also to be the fastest ocean liners as well, averaging 24-25 knots. It was in 1907 that the Mauritania made her maiden voyage.4

Also in 1907, the rival White Star Line, another prominent ship-building line, began making plans to build not one or two, but three great ocean liners, larger yet than the Cunard Line’s ships. They were to be called the Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic. In the two following years, the Olympic and Titanic were built in Belfast, Ireland. And finally, by the year 1912, nearly two years after her sister ship, Titanic was prepared to make her maiden voyage.5

February 2, 19126

Dearest Diary,7

I have always held a strong intrigue with the sea, and never have I been able to lavish myself in the beauty of it as I do now aboard the grand RMS Mauritania. This is my second day traveling the wide open abyss of ocean, my vision filled of nothing save the blue water that rolls in beautiful almost rhythmic waves, with the line between sea and sky scarcely distinguishable. A morning of gorgeous color and weather was granted us passengers today. To the east rose the sun, a mirage of magical colors, painted in great sweeps across the broad and endless sky. 8

I am to spend the following two months with my great-aunt Lucy Bellmen. She is of great age and hasn’t set her eyes upon my face since I was the young age of five, and now that I am 16, my father, after much deliberation, decided it would be good for my eyes to see more of the world. It was to my surprise and great secret enjoyment that he has allowed me to travel unaccompanied by a chaperone.9

This entry must be shorter than most, I am saddened to say, for the dinner bell is being rung and I find myself oddly famished. But, as always, there is one more thing which I must say. Upon leaving New York, my father told me that I may be traveling home aboard the Titanic. I am understandably delighted at the news. This is the grand and luxurious ship that has been the talk of the upper society for months. It is finally in its last stages of construction, and if all is well, it may be my ride back home to America. What a joy that would be, me, sailing on the Titanic. But my father told me I mustn’t get my hopes up too high in the case that there would be complications and I wouldn’t get a ticket. Farewell, dinner is being served.10