David Quilter, thank you so very much for this marvellous reading of your grandfather’s vivid account of Titanic’s last night. Both you and your grandfather are gifted storytellers. And I appreciate the trouble you’ve gone to to record and include the hymn singalong. What a gift you’ve given all of us who’ve stumbled across it. Many thanks.
David Quilter The thanks are all mine, David. And thanks for replying!!! I have more to say but was unable at the time or today. Both you and your grandfather are wonderful storytellers. I’m so grateful that you put together this wonderful set of videos. They were utterly gripping. If you didn’t spend your career on the stage or in broadcasting, what a waste!
Absolutely outstanding. Of all the books I’ve read, documentaries I’ve viewed, interviews I’ve heard, this placed me mentally on the deck of the Titanic that night in the most vivid fashion I could’ve imagined. He’s a natural, gifted narrator/speaker. Just wonderful, truly great job.
Excellent presentation! I love his elegant British manner and speech. And his grandfather, Lawrence Beesley, is a sterling example of one who is born an observer and writer. Were it not for his eloquent account, we would not know so many fine details about that ship's voyage. God bless writers! (And actors, too.)
I can imagine a surreal moment for people in Southampton, after knowing for days that the Titanic had been lost, witnessing the Olympic arriving. Equally the shell-shocked crew, realising the Titanic had been lost, and they had been to far away to help.
Lawrence Beasley’s description of that night and subsequent return to New York are some of the most beautifully written and articulate of any accounts I’ve read of titanic survivors.
At 1:20 amazing how many of Titanic's passengers had musings or premonitions that something bad could or would happen to her maiden voyage. Eva Hart's mother is the most profound example, but there were others who had very bad feelings about sailing and although they had bought tickets, made the decision at the last minute to not go.
How eloquently spoken you (and naturally your grandfather) are about this extraordinary event in history. And what a, may I say, truly remarkable thing to have one of your close relatives on-board the RMS Titanic. At the day of the sinking mind you. Thank you for this, much appreciated!
Just stumbled onto this video. I have always felt a strange connection with Titanic since I was 10 years old. I remember seeing the movie and only reading Titanic books as a kid. When the 100th year celebration came I remember seeing the movie in 3D & finding the photograph collection of Titanic at Coles in Canada. I will hold that collection dearly with me. Thank you for sharing this story & I'm glad I was able to watch this video.
You are a fantastic storyteller, this completely captivated my interest from start to finish, and I'm on to the next episode of this now. Thank you for much for sharing this!
Am just reading a 1976 edition of Walter Lord's, A Night To Remember. This will make a fine companion piece to go along with it and I will be looking out for Mr Beesley in the book.
A key question that may never be answered is whether Bruce Ismay pressed the captain to test her speed in those calm seas and to ignore ice warnings. I'll bet the official inquiry never asked that either.
It's so sad that Lawrence Beesley rose above so much horror and pain to write this book. He did suffer from PTSD due to the sinking. Whenever someone would begin speaking of it he would more or less start to lose his self control and immediately quit the room. I imagine his family was sensitive to this, but others, not so much. Whenver he joined friends or relatives at the seaside he would always face away from the water.
Johannes Bols yes, you're quite right. I was born in his house and we were close until he died when I was about 24. I never heard him mention the Titanic and only became aware of it when he took my mother to the premiere of A Night To Remember in the early fifties. He was an advisor on the picture and there is a tiny clip of him, speaking after the film, on RUclips. Search for A Night to Remember premiere. But he certainly suffered from survivor's guilt.
So sorry-I had no idea that Lawrence suffered, even though it was as bad an event as anyone could have experienced. His book seemed almost like he was very quietly lucky and took it all in stride, down to making himself comfortable with a pile of towels in a bathroom on the Carpathia. The book doesn’t hint of PTSD, though of course they all would have had it with trauma that major. And publishing back then was so formal, they didn’t dwell on the bad things or personal trauma...
I felt your conviction and passion during this trilogy, and yes the sinking of the RMS Titanic should have been dramatic enough itself, obviously not. I also find Harold Sanderson stating after the British enquiry that there was still no need to provide lifeboats for every man, woman and child. thank you for uploading your grandfathers' personal account of this terrible and avoidable (in my opinion) disaster.
I totally agree with you. It is incredible to hear the survivors stories differ so dramatically. Without wanting to cause offence to a single person, but I feel the Americans dramatize one of the most dramatic tradgedies in the 20th century
Why is it that so many British people complain about Americans on youtube? I consistently run across random statements of people pointlessly blaming or complaining about Americans. What have we done to dramatize the Titanic, anymore than the rest of the world has, including your own country? I'm honestly curious to know. It's human nature for people to dramatize and, particularly, romanticize major historical events. Most people know the facts by now and have sifted through the myths and folklore. Many, if not all of the survivors saw the ship break in half, but the "all knowing" people involved with the investigation assured them that it couldn't have broken apart. Not until both halves of the ship were found, about a third of a mile apart, were these survivors vindicated. That goes to show that people will believe what they feel like believing until they see things for themselves. Not much drama is left, aside from movies. Movies will always be dramatic; it's how they make money.
Great presentation - but I would have thought the Titanic's piano would be in tune. I really enjoyed this, presentation, inflection, credibility was first class
johnster1964 thanks for this. On a light hearted note, I think only first class passengers got an in-tune piano. Actually, I recorded my father-in-law playing on the village hall piano.
What are the chances that it would be perfectly still on that night with no wind or waves, the ship must have been gliding along serenely until it glanced the ice berg, I believe the perfect conditions must have lulled all on board into a false sense of security!
Are these films read directly from your grandfather's book? Is this a reading of the entire text? Also, how much do you, sir, resemble your late grandfather? I'm currently reading On a Sea of Glass, and intend to get Mr. Beesley's book next. Best Regards, HH
@@davidquilter Thanks for the reply. I thought your avatar picture bore more of a resemblance to the pictures out there, than the video. It's like the next best thing to seeing the real Mr. Beesley tell his story. I did enjoy these. Best to you and yours. HH
Please forgive this very tardy response to your query. My grandfather was, understandably, unable to bring any belongings away from the ship but he came across the torn stub of a ticket from the purser as a receipt for some money he had lodged in the safe. Extraordinarily, the purser's Gladstone bag was retrieved from the wreck and, lo and behold, there was the other half of the ticket. My grandfather had long died by this time and I'm quite certain he would not have approved of articles being brought to the surface, however fascinating it may have been. Thank you for your interest.
This is wonderful. You are wonderful. I read your Grandfather's book a long time ago. I don't remember much but you are bringing it to life. I'm curious, the books that your Grandfather put is his jacket, did they survive the trip? Thank you. I need to read the book again.
David Quilter - This is unbelievable. I am so honored to have seen this and learn about that fateful night. I would've loved to sat and listened to your Grandfather. Thank you so much for giving this to us.
Thank you for your interest. This is my portrayal of my grandfather and I am reading from his book. I posted the videos on RUclips in April 2012 to mark the centenary of the tragedy.
All accounts of the survivors are different in many ways i don’t get it!!? If everybody seen the same thing then the story really shouldn’t have major differences like it snapping in half, the lights being on as it went down, the band playing until it went down Ect! They should be facts that everybody gets the same in such an event like being on the biggest ship in the world at the time and it sinks to the bottom of the Atlantic ocean! Just something i would be able to remember clearly!
ginge m I think it's worth bearing in mind that the witnesses to the sinking who wrote accounts of it saw it from quite different viewpoints. For instance, Mommander Lightoller went down with the ship, surfaced and spent several hours balancing on an upturned boat. Whereas my grandfather was in a lifeboat more than a mile from the ship. Together with the drama, the fear, the cold and all the attending emotions, I believe it is quite understandable that there are differing accounts. I quite understand where you're coming from but it is this uncertainty that has kept the debate alive for a hundred years.
Not at all. Quite he opposite is true. That’s not how memory works. If you ask any large group of witnesses of an event, you will get differing versions. Human memory isn’t a roll of film or a snapshot. It’s affected by our emotions, what’s important to us, what we expect to happen, what makes sense to us or our subconscious.... I’m sure you;l have no trouble finding lots of scholarship about this online, if you’re interested. Indeed, when every witness has an identical memory, investigators suspect collusion because human memories are not videos.
Ridiculous. Everyone had a completely different experience in different parts of the ship and different parts of the ocean. Some people like Eva Hart saw the ship split in two and others like Lawrence, in a different lifeboat in a different place, did not, so they swore it did not. That ship was an eighth of a mile long. Go run an eighth of a mile in a city and see if you can know everything that might happen in every spot.
A structure the size of an eleven story building, maybe a sixth of a mile long...some people are just not going to see the band or the split or what happened to the officers.
The piano in the second class saloon was an ordinary upright and was played from sight by a young amateur pianist who was on his way to join his brother on a fruit farm in the Rockies. The recording for this video was made by my father in law who plays hymns at his local church in Canada.
im sorry, I have say this before I can listen to him. I was born in England fairly poor.I have watched allot of Titanic. There is not allot of stories about the steerage section. Did they have a chance to go on the deck where they could board a boat? Where they locked downstairs the whole journey? Yes I do have a problem with class distinction and back then it was rampant. Between the ship workers and the steerage section, they are the ones that lost there lives.With more distinction what makes a man live through this more than a woman? I think the whole thing was murder do to pompas competitions , money and stardome. RIP all of you and I hope the ones that lived brought up a happy home.
I agree with you that the division of the classes was appalling. However, steerage passengers had access to their own deck as did first and second class. As to the loss of life, the vast majority of those who perished were men, regardless of class. And those men working below decks, stokers etc. may well have commanded lifeboats.
Perfect video to watch when you're taking a poop! After I was done I flushed it down the toilet, it was very similar to the sinking of the Titanic. Thank you David Quilter!
@@davidquilter - I wouldn't give her comment a second thought. She's obviously just a troll with nothing better to do. I, personally, think your videos are brilliant and I thank you for sharing.
Кино
Gentleman, I bought your grandfather's book some months ago and may I say it was worth doing it. Every page was fascinating.
David Quilter, thank you so very much for this marvellous reading of your grandfather’s vivid account of Titanic’s last night. Both you and your grandfather are gifted storytellers. And I appreciate the trouble you’ve gone to to record and include the hymn singalong. What a gift you’ve given all of us who’ve stumbled across it. Many thanks.
Hanny Hawkins Thank you, Hanny, for your very kind remarks.
David Quilter The thanks are all mine, David. And thanks for replying!!! I have more to say but was unable at the time or today. Both you and your grandfather are wonderful storytellers. I’m so grateful that you put together this wonderful set of videos. They were utterly gripping. If you didn’t spend your career on the stage or in broadcasting, what a waste!
Absolutely outstanding. Of all the books I’ve read, documentaries I’ve viewed, interviews I’ve heard, this placed me mentally on the deck of the Titanic that night in the most vivid fashion I could’ve imagined. He’s a natural, gifted narrator/speaker. Just wonderful, truly great job.
Thank you, Steve. Much appreciated.
Excellent presentation! I love his elegant British manner and speech. And his grandfather, Lawrence Beesley, is a sterling example of one who is born an observer and writer. Were it not for his eloquent account, we would not know so many fine details about that ship's voyage. God bless writers! (And actors, too.)
your grandfather was a fantastic writer, and you a great story teller! Thank you!
Thank you. Much appreciated.
isrorykenedyafilmmaker
he's a good story teller. he's got a good voice for it and an engaging style.
andrelebaron, indeed.
Your Grand Father would be so very proud. It’s hard to believe this happened so long ago
Michael Seaton thank you.
A soft and comforting voice, like a quilt ironically. Thanks for making this entertaining video.
Lively narrative style with a 19th century, Victorian/Edwardian style of English. It's almost like listening to H.G. Wells tell the Titanic story...
feodoric Thank you.
I can imagine a surreal moment for people in Southampton, after knowing for days that the Titanic had been lost, witnessing the Olympic arriving. Equally the shell-shocked crew, realising the Titanic had been lost, and they had been to far away to help.
Lawrence Beasley’s description of that night and subsequent return to New York are some of the most beautifully written and articulate of any accounts I’ve read of titanic survivors.
Athena thank you.
David Quilter You’re welcome, sir. And David your reading was a beautiful tribute!
At 1:20 amazing how many of Titanic's passengers had musings or premonitions that something bad could or would happen to her maiden voyage. Eva Hart's mother is the most profound example, but there were others who had very bad feelings about sailing and although they had bought tickets, made the decision at the last minute to not go.
@Henry Ford Get thee behind me Satan!!!!
This was gripping and remarkable! Beautifully acted by Mr. Beesley‘s grandson. Thankyou!
Could listen to him all day.
What an eloquent testimony.
Thank you.
How eloquently spoken you (and naturally your grandfather) are about this extraordinary event in history. And what a, may I say, truly remarkable thing to have one of your close relatives on-board the RMS Titanic. At the day of the sinking mind you. Thank you for this, much appreciated!
Wonderful, thank you for sharing this with us all. God Bless you and your Grandfather.
Did you read Violet Jessop memoirs? Women describe the same facts than men.
Absolutely fascinating and chilling account from your grandfather. Thank you for this.
Thank you for your supportive comment.
Just stumbled onto this video. I have always felt a strange connection with Titanic since I was 10 years old. I remember seeing the movie and only reading Titanic books as a kid. When the 100th year celebration came I remember seeing the movie in 3D & finding the photograph collection of Titanic at Coles in Canada. I will hold that collection dearly with me. Thank you for sharing this story & I'm glad I was able to watch this video.
You are a fantastic storyteller, this completely captivated my interest from start to finish, and I'm on to the next episode of this now. Thank you for much for sharing this!
Jenya March, there's another episode? Fantastic! I will search for it.
Sometimes I feel disgusted at being part of the human race!
Beautifully done, and very cool that you’re his grandson reading his experience. Amazing job. 💙
Thank you.
Extremely well-done and captivating, looking forward to the rest.
Am just reading a 1976 edition of Walter Lord's, A Night To Remember. This will make a fine companion piece to go along with it and I will be looking out for Mr Beesley in the book.
A key question that may never be answered is whether Bruce Ismay pressed the captain to test her speed in those calm seas and to ignore ice warnings. I'll bet the official inquiry never asked that either.
Not sure about that but he definitely ordered a reduction in lifeboats on the ship from 48 to 16 which obviously had devestating consequences
Thank you for sharing this , sir 🚢
Beautifully presented
Thank you.
A moving story. Thank you so much.
It's so sad that Lawrence Beesley rose above so much horror and pain to write this book. He did suffer from PTSD due to the sinking. Whenever someone would begin speaking of it he would more or less start to lose his self control and immediately quit the room. I imagine his family was sensitive to this, but others, not so much. Whenver he joined friends or relatives at the seaside he would always face away from the water.
Johannes Bols yes, you're quite right. I was born in his house and we were close until he died when I was about 24. I never heard him mention the Titanic and only became aware of it when he took my mother to the premiere of A Night To Remember in the early fifties. He was an advisor on the picture and there is a tiny clip of him, speaking after the film, on RUclips. Search for A Night to Remember premiere. But he certainly suffered from survivor's guilt.
So sorry-I had no idea that Lawrence suffered, even though it was as bad an event as anyone could have experienced. His book seemed almost like he was very quietly lucky and took it all in stride, down to making himself comfortable with a pile of towels in a bathroom on the Carpathia. The book doesn’t hint of PTSD, though of course they all would have had it with trauma that major. And publishing back then was so formal, they didn’t dwell on the bad things or personal trauma...
Excellent
Best account ive heard until now xx
Thanks very much for that.
I felt your conviction and passion during this trilogy, and yes the sinking of the RMS Titanic should have been dramatic enough itself, obviously not. I also find Harold Sanderson stating after the British enquiry that there was still no need to provide lifeboats for every man, woman and child. thank you for uploading your grandfathers' personal account of this terrible and avoidable (in my opinion) disaster.
He is very descriptive and I can tell he likes to read
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for watching.
That was powerful.
Thank you, Carole.
He was played by David Warner in SOS Titanic (1979) . David Warner also played a fictional character Spicer Lovejoy in Titanic (1997)
David Warner is a good friend and I’m delighted he played my grandfather. Although I’d have loved to have played him myself.
R.I.P
I love Englishmen
I totally agree with you. It is incredible to hear the survivors stories differ so dramatically. Without wanting to cause offence to a single person, but I feel the Americans dramatize one of the most dramatic tradgedies in the 20th century
Why is it that so many British people complain about Americans on youtube? I consistently run across random statements of people pointlessly blaming or complaining about Americans. What have we done to dramatize the Titanic, anymore than the rest of the world has, including your own country? I'm honestly curious to know.
It's human nature for people to dramatize and, particularly, romanticize major historical events. Most people know the facts by now and have sifted through the myths and folklore. Many, if not all of the survivors saw the ship break in half, but the "all knowing" people involved with the investigation assured them that it couldn't have broken apart. Not until both halves of the ship were found, about a third of a mile apart, were these survivors vindicated.
That goes to show that people will believe what they feel like believing until they see things for themselves. Not much drama is left, aside from movies. Movies will always be dramatic; it's how they make money.
Prick
Superb!! Best account yet! Thank you
kittywaymo thank you.
David Quilter You’re very welcome😊
What's the deal with the blurred section in the middle of the screen?
Thirdgen83 I don’t know. I’m trying to find out.
Copyrighted. I sure.
Very beautifully, if intensely poignantly read.
Thanks, Gary.
Thanks for the account. Out of curiosity did your grandfather keep the books once he returned home
Great presentation - but I would have thought the Titanic's piano would be in tune. I really enjoyed this, presentation, inflection, credibility was first class
johnster1964 thanks for this. On a light hearted note, I think only first class passengers got an in-tune piano. Actually, I recorded my father-in-law playing on the village hall piano.
What are the chances that it would be perfectly still on that night with no wind or waves, the ship must have been gliding along serenely until it glanced the ice berg, I believe the perfect conditions must have lulled all on board into a false sense of security!
The calmness of the water made seeing the iceberg much more difficult. If waves had been breaking on the ice it might have been sighted in time.
This is his grandson telling the story , not the real survivor, anyway he sounds too modern to be the real person.
Thank you. I've never before been described as modern.
xD
Sounds like Gil from Frasier!
Tommy Lellan I have no idea what that means but I will choose to take it as a compliment. Thank you..
What is the name of the hymn that’s played at the beginning and then at the end
It's usually known as For Those In Peril On The Sea.
👍
Cover photo looked like bill burr
Are these films read directly from your grandfather's book? Is this a reading of the entire text? Also, how much do you, sir, resemble your late grandfather? I'm currently reading On a Sea of Glass, and intend to get Mr. Beesley's book next. Best Regards, HH
I've lifted his personal story from his book and all the words are his own, although edited. There is a slight resemblance. Thanks for your interest.
@@davidquilter Thanks for the reply. I thought your avatar picture bore more of a resemblance to the pictures out there, than the video. It's like the next best thing to seeing the real Mr. Beesley tell his story. I did enjoy these. Best to you and yours. HH
What’s with the stupid blurred rectangle ? If there is something in the background that shouldn’t be there then why film it that way ?
Jeremy Bradley thank you for your very helpful comment. I agree, technically far from perfect. I was attempting to merely tell my grandfather’s story.
Jeremy Bradley I’ve since looked at this video again and I have no idea where that rectangle came from. It certainly wasn’t 5here when I posted it.
Did your grandfather keep anything from that terrible night from his person or from the Titanic?
Please forgive this very tardy response to your query. My grandfather was, understandably, unable to bring any belongings away from the ship but he came across the torn stub of a ticket from the purser as a receipt for some money he had lodged in the safe. Extraordinarily, the purser's Gladstone bag was retrieved from the wreck and, lo and behold, there was the other half of the ticket. My grandfather had long died by this time and I'm quite certain he would not have approved of articles being brought to the surface, however fascinating it may have been.
Thank you for your interest.
This is wonderful. You are wonderful. I read your Grandfather's book a long time ago. I don't remember much but you are bringing it to life. I'm curious, the books that your Grandfather put is his jacket, did they survive the trip? Thank you. I need to read the book again.
David Quilter - This is unbelievable. I am so honored to have seen this and learn about that fateful night. I would've loved to sat and listened to your Grandfather. Thank you so much for giving this to us.
David Quilter thank you for sharing this fascinating detail. Is it your brother that works as the science editor for the NY times?
.
could you tell me what year this interview was held
Thank you for your interest. This is my portrayal of my grandfather and I am reading from his book. I posted the videos on RUclips in April 2012 to mark the centenary of the tragedy.
thank you ,sir. God bless
He sounds like he's reading a script.
Actually, I was reading from my grandfather's book. But congratulations on your astute observation.
That is class (sir)
Gregory Dahl, I’m sorry, I don’t understand the question.
12:59
All accounts of the survivors are different in many ways i don’t get it!!? If everybody seen the same thing then the story really shouldn’t have major differences like it snapping in half, the lights being on as it went down, the band playing until it went down Ect! They should be facts that everybody gets the same in such an event like being on the biggest ship in the world at the time and it sinks to the bottom of the Atlantic ocean! Just something i would be able to remember clearly!
ginge m I think it's worth bearing in mind that the witnesses to the sinking who wrote accounts of it saw it from quite different viewpoints. For instance, Mommander Lightoller went down with the ship, surfaced and spent several hours balancing on an upturned boat. Whereas my grandfather was in a lifeboat more than a mile from the ship. Together with the drama, the fear, the cold and all the attending emotions, I believe it is quite understandable that there are differing accounts. I quite understand where you're coming from but it is this uncertainty that has kept the debate alive for a hundred years.
Not at all. Quite he opposite is true. That’s not how memory works. If you ask any large group of witnesses of an event, you will get differing versions. Human memory isn’t a roll of film or a snapshot. It’s affected by our emotions, what’s important to us, what we expect to happen, what makes sense to us or our subconscious.... I’m sure you;l have no trouble finding lots of scholarship about this online, if you’re interested. Indeed, when every witness has an identical memory, investigators suspect collusion because human memories are not videos.
Ridiculous. Everyone had a completely different experience in different parts of the ship and different parts of the ocean. Some people like Eva Hart saw the ship split in two and others like Lawrence, in a different lifeboat in a different place, did not, so they swore it did not. That ship was an eighth of a mile long. Go run an eighth of a mile in a city and see if you can know everything that might happen in every spot.
A structure the size of an eleven story building, maybe a sixth of a mile long...some people are just not going to see the band or the split or what happened to the officers.
What a wonderful antidote to the degeneration of the English language.
Cthrew thanks. Yes, Ihink he wrote beautifully.
A small cavil, but: The hymn at the beginning really should be played correctly on an instrument that's been tuned sometime within the last decade,,,,
for reals it sounds horrible..
+JGC Cincy
Sounds like they are playing on a piano as old as Titanic itself, which makes it feel authentic.
The piano in the second class saloon was an ordinary upright and was played from sight by a young amateur pianist who was on his way to join his brother on a fruit farm in the Rockies. The recording for this video was made by my father in law who plays hymns at his local church in Canada.
David Quilter Your grandfather's book is excellent. It was the first Titanic book I read after Walter Lord's "A Night To Remember.
Odd, I find it beautiful.
im sorry, I have say this before I can listen to him. I was born in England fairly poor.I have watched allot of Titanic. There is not allot of stories about the steerage section. Did they have a chance to go on the deck where they could board a boat? Where they locked downstairs the whole journey? Yes I do have a problem with class distinction and back then it was rampant. Between the ship workers and the steerage section, they are the ones that lost there lives.With more distinction what makes a man live through this more than a woman? I think the whole thing was murder do to pompas competitions , money and stardome. RIP all of you and I hope the ones that lived brought up a happy home.
I agree with you that the division of the classes was appalling. However, steerage passengers had access to their own deck as did first and second class. As to the loss of life, the vast majority of those who perished were men, regardless of class. And those men working below decks, stokers etc. may well have commanded lifeboats.
Perfect video to watch when you're taking a poop! After I was done I flushed it down the toilet, it was very similar to the sinking of the Titanic. Thank you David Quilter!
Thank you for providing me a way to express my disgust by reporting content
I'm not sure I understand your comment. Perhaps you'd kindly give me an explanation. Thank you.
@@davidquilter - I wouldn't give her comment a second thought. She's obviously just a troll with nothing better to do. I, personally, think your videos are brilliant and I thank you for sharing.
Staged.
Well spotted. The clue is in the titles.