Before I begin with this "controversial" thread, i'd just like to say that I am quite aware that there are many factors which can disprove it, but there are also many others which contribute to make ruling out such a switch, foolish.
When I first purchased Gardiner's follow up book from Riddle of the Titanic, i too was quick to laugh off the idea, but then i read it, and the man makes valid points which fit into place better than what we all currently believe happened on that night 92 years ago.
Such Points Include:
1)The well known (to some of you) James A Fenton, alias "Paddy the Pig", who in the early 1970s, hinted how the loss of the Titanic was not entirely accidental.
2)J.P. Morgan had the power to influence governments, not least the British Government due to aid in the Crimean War.
3) The turbine engine was not used during Olympic's voyage from Southampton to Belfast following the Hawke incident, telling us that the engine was damaged in some way, and inoperative. Also the damage inflicted on the liner extended far deeper than the 8 feet usually accepted.
4) By the time Olympic had made the voyage from Southampton to Belfast, the after compartment had filled with water despite 2 weeks of emergency repairs that had been intended to prevent such an occurrence.
5) The White Star Line was quite capable of keeping large secrets, for large periods of time, even to the extent of stopping witnesses spreading word of what had happened.
6) Not only was Titanic on fire when she reached Southampton, but instead of putting that fire out her officers allowed more coal to be put into the bunker, stoking it up.
7) There were still civillian workmen aboard and there was so much work to do to complete the ship that she could not be opened to the public.
8)While Olympic underwent two full days of trials before being handed over to her new owners, Titanic's trials only lasted several hours, most of which was just cruising.
9) J.P. Morgan cancelled his passage on Titanic, his ill health excuse has since been disproved.
10) A lack of ceremony for the completed Titanic, unlike her sister.
11)The ship had a persistent list to port throughout the voyage.
12)Contrary to company standing orders, Titanic was on the Autumn Southern track, to the north of the usual one.
13)Despite many ice warnings, the ship increased in speed daily.
14) Incredible as it seems, although the forces involved are similar to the vessel being struck by a broadside from a battleship, the collision passes unnoticed by most aboard.
15) During the collision, the watertight integrity of the fireman's passage, deep within the ship, is breached, arguing that something harder than ice had penetrated the hull.
16) Although it was immediately obvious, it was 45mins before the passengers were given any warning of danger.
17) QM Rowe reported seeing boats in the water, before any were even swung out!
18) Titanic sent up red, white and blue signals, instead of recognised white ones.
19) Only white rockets were seen by the Californian.
20)Captain Lord frequently asked his crew for signs of red or blue signals.
21)At least one of Titanic's lifeboats had more than one number on it.
22)Lowe picked up many survivors from life rafts, Titanic did not carry such equipment. This goes with the fact that many crew members who registered on
Carpathia, did not register with Titanic .
23) several reports of mysterious vessels nearby.
All in All i've only touched the tip of the iceberg, there are many more points, but in summary Gardiner's version of events include the fact that Olympic was so damaged, it would be un economical to repair her. Two ships were put on stand by awaiting the arrival of Titanic. One of these was the Californian.
I will include more info as replies to any queries you will most probably have, but as "homework" i suggest you look at Olumpic pics post-Titanic, pre 1914. Compare these pics with pre-Titanic Olympic pics. Look at the forecastle deck porthole arrangement on the starboard side. Compare it with Titanic in the same position. The results left me amazed.
Before any of you say it, the 401 evidence is not as concrete as previously thought. It does however show that the switch was planned 5 months prior to the 10th April. Enough time for H&W workers to do what they had to do. Also the layouts of B Deck on both ships were different, with full promenades on both sides on the Olympic, but cabins on Titanic. Yet as she sank, many passengers report being able to see the lifeboats on B-Deck from the Promenade. The workers converted olympic to Titanic, and Titanic to Olympic accept that they overlooked the
c-deck forecastle portholes.
JB
