Marvin Footage

[Dan Cherry]

Hello,

Is it my understanding that Daniel Marvin did make some home movies on board Titanic? Two questions: what is the possibility those movies were processed en voyage and if sealed in their cannisters perhaps in a leather bag, what are the chances of possibly being recovered. The fact that their cabin (D-30) is deep enough in the ship that wood remnants are intact and has easy enough access off of the grand staircase might make it feasible for a future exploration. I know it's very remote that his reels would still exist even after a few months due to salt water and bacteria, but then again no none thought of finding paper or wood still intact either...thoughts?

Regards,

Dan

 

[George Behe]

Hi, Dan!

If you're referring to the kinematograph photographer whom Beesley saw filming the New York incident, chances are it was William Harbeck instead of Daniel Marvin.

>Two questions: what is the possibility those >movies were
>processed en voyage

IMO, it's unlikely that the films were processed on board the Titanic.

>and if sealed in their >cannisters perhaps in a
>leather bag, what are the chances of possibly >being recovered. .....
>I know it's very remote that
>his reels would still exist even after a few >months due to salt water
>and bacteria,

It's hard to say, A few years ago some processed film footage was recovered from the Lusitania (although it was in pretty poor condition.) I suspect that unprocessed film footage would be far more fragile than processed footage, but who knows? The deep ocean has surprised us before.

All my best,

George Behe