Titanic Tuesdays: Why the Titanic was called the ‘Millionaire’s Special’

Money, money, money…

American millionaires had it and they wanted to spend it.

While there were only 19 millionaires in 1850 in the U.S., by the end of the 1890s that number had grown to 4,000.

At the time of the sailing of the Titanic, seven of the men on board were worth $420 million dollars in 1912 currency.

The Titanic was their playground.

Built as a ‘floating palace’, the Titanic had 318 first class passengers aboard who enjoyed every luxury, according to the Denver Times (‘Men of Millions, Famous Beauties, on Wrecked Ship’ wrote one reporter).

Sensual Turkish baths with a Moorish theme; a gymnasium with up-to-date equipment, including a mechanical camel; squash racquet courts.

Three electric lifts.

First class dining saloon located on D deck with exquisite chinaware by Spode (which was recreated for the TV mini-series about the Titanic broadcast in 2012).

Even the captain of the ship was a perfect choice for her maiden voyage. Known as the ‘Millionaire’s Captain’, Edward J. Smith was popular with passengers and intended to retire after the crossing across the North Atlantic.

How does my heroine, Ava O’Reilly, figure into all this?

Through a series of escapades, Ava finds herself in first class on the Titanic, the likes of which she’s never seen. This was a time when steerage passengers were confined to E deck and below. Or the third class promenade ‘poop deck’ located aft.

Not our Ava.

She sneaks up to the first class promenade deck and runs into Captain Lord ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, who is trying to help her:

They sat close together, their frosty breaths as one, their eyes meeting, yet she revealed nothing more. As if she chose to keep her secrets hidden from him for a while longer. He should let her go, but first he must tell her what he knew.

‘They haven’t given up looking for you, Ava. If you’re caught, I won’t be able to do anything to help you.’

His words hit her hard, sobering her up.

Ava knows he’s right, but she doesn’t regret trying to better herself. She worked briefly in a grand house when she went into service (reluctantly) with her sister, Mary Dolores, so she’d experienced a taste of fine living, but she was poor Irish and proud of it.

Yet, in her heart she dreamed of his lordship holding her in his arms and calling her ‘his lady’.

Impossible. Or was it?

—————

Next time on Titanic Tuesdays: Titanic and Edwardian Class Society    

THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.

Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…

When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.

Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.

As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…

A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.

Praise for Jina Bacarr:

‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind

‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’

‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’

‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’

THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo.

Apple Books