Bride's idea

A

Alex McLean

Guest
Hey again,
In one of my books, 'Her name Titanic' by Charles Pellegrino, it states that wireless opperator Bride had a rather unusual idea, and I would like to know if this is true or not, as I have never before seen it (except a reference to it in a post dicsussing what one would do to survive the sinking.)
Bride's idea is to wander down to the pharamacy, get all the condoms, come back and blow them up like balloons and put them in pillow cases and matresses to form a raft. The idea was abandoned when Phillips said the pharmacy was under water.

I didn't even think the ship had a pharmacy... I know she had a small shop/barber on one of the decks, but never before have I heard about a pharmacy.

The book is not very factual, writing about topics that we cannot be certain happened as is written, or did not even happen, as far as our knowledge goes, existed because they involve people, none of whom, or anyone near by, survived.

If anyone has any ideas about where this rumour began, or if it is infact true, please reply ASAP
 
This idea was in Pellegrino's book? I don't remember it being in there, but it does sound about like something he would write. I would use a great deal of caution with anything Pellegrino claims to be fact. The ship had no pharmacy, and the closest thing to it would have probably been Dr. O' Loughlin's medicine cabinet.

This is a very strange idea, even if it's most likely fictional. I didn't even think condoms were in use at that time.
 
Brandon,
It is in Pellegrino's book, top of page 101.

It is a very wierd idea, but then again, almost all of Pellegrino's ideas were and are.

While the book does not make for much knowledge and enlightenment, it is rather entertaining, and one does wonder if these thoughs he writes about were going through the minds of the men, women and children aboard.

Eh, the whole book is rediculous anyway, with the exception of the first chapter 'To Dare God' which kinda set the mood for the story in which a good half is dedicated to one of the real heroes of the night, Thomas Andrews.
 
Pelligrino is one hell of an engaging and readable story teller. I'll give him that much. Beyond that, befor I accept anything he states as fact, I'll check the story from a source of known reliability.

As to the history of condoms, go HERE. These things were being used as a protection against disease by the ancient Egyptians as far back as 1000 BC

Warning: The above link may not be suitable for anyone under legal age in whatever jurisdiction you happen to live in.
 
Thanks Michael. I had no idea condoms were that old!

I think Pellegrino's books are a good source of entertainment, and that's about all. I like his style of writing even though I don't believe very much he writes. I read somewhere once that the reason his in-depth information on the passengers had never been seen before was because he and Walter Lord had access to some rare, unpublished passengers' accounts and other momentos. I still wouldn't believe much the man says.
 
He is a very entertaining writer, isn't he. I rather like the synopsis he gives at the start of the book.

I have asked around the Titanic community, and it appears that hardly anyone knows of the condom story, so just to clarify, I own a different version of the book (possibly Australian, or a later edition). I have the pages scanned on my computer, and would post it here, but I'm not sure how many copy write laws I would be infringing.
If someone wants me to write out what was written, I will when I have more time.

PS. Never thought I would see a post dedicatd in part to condoms here...
 
Alex, you might get away with quoting the relevant sections (Small quotes!) with a proper citation, but as far as I know, printing out the entire page is a copyright no-no. Quite a few of us have both of Dr. Pelligrino's books. If you can offer up the page numbers, I'm sure those who are interested can look for themselves.
 
Alex,

I just checked pg. 101 of my copy of the book and it hasn't got anything about condoms, but it is about a conversation between the two operators, but nothing unusual. This must have been left out of the American version for some reason.

If you can, please post a few quotes from the pages. Thanks!
 
Brandon, Michael, here is the quote I have, top of page 101, 'The Crash of two worlds'

"The wireless is getting weaker," Phillips said. "Could be trouble in the generator rooms. I hope *they're* not taking on water already.
"Hey! I've got an idea!" Bride said, trying to sound cheery.
"Oh no, look out everyone," Phillips said half heartedly, "Bride's got another idea."
"Sure! We can go down to the pharmacy and get all the condoms and blow them up like balloons, and then bag them in pillow cases and bed sheets - to build a real rubber raft."
"I'm afraid the pharmacy is under water by now."
"You think so?"
"I don't think. I know."
"I don't think you know either."
Phillips did not laugh. The mood for jokes was leaving his as he began to ponder the sixth ice warning that had come in just two hours before. It came from the Californian. They had tried to tell me they were stopped and surrounded by ice bergs and - *God forgive me*, Phillips thought. I told them to shut up...we hit the iceberg a half hour later... - *God forgive me ... God forgive me...


The last part is a rather powerful piece of writing in my mind.
 
Mmmmmmmmmm...and Dr. Pelligrino's source for this conversation is....????

Can't say as I believe it. The language and figures of speech strike me as too late 20th, early 21st century to me. Besides, what pharmacy?
 
If that corny stuff is powerful writing, I'm Bill Shakespeare. Typical schmaltz is more like it.

Pellegrino should know that Englishmen don't go to the pharmacy, except in hospitals. The shop that sells aspirin in the high street is a chemist's shop.

"She was only the chemist's daughter, but she wouldn't let the pharmacy."
 
I just like the whole 'God forgive me' stuff. It lets people know, allbeit (as far as we know) false, what Phillips was thinking. Behind the screen of humour and laughs was a man who had guilt weighing on his mind.

I just like a piece like that because it draws you in more, and although we all know what ended up happening to Phillips, it makes me want to know what happened next.
 

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