The Second Class Library was located on C-Deck, at the aft end of the Titanic's superstructure, overlooking the Aft Well Deck and Poop Deck. It served as the equivalent to the First Class Lounge. It was a room in which to read books, socialize, have afternoon tea, play cards, write letters and for relaxation.
Decorated in the Adam style, it was paneled in contrasting light sycamore and dark mahogany with columned accents. There were fluted, white-painted wooden columns throughout the room supporting a coffered plaster ceiling. Mahogany chairs and tables furnished the room, with writing desks by the windows with lamps and a large bookcase which functioned as the lending library. This room combined the functions of the library, lounge, writing room and drawing room. There was a 9,5 foot wide bookcase on the forward wall.
Inside the vestibule of the Aft Second Class Entrance, the quintet would play 3 times a day in Second Class:
- A performance from 10-11 A.M.
- another performance from 5-6 P.M.
- a concert from 9:15- 10:15 P.M.
Eyewitnesses have written in their letters of hearing an Orchestra playing nearby.
Wreck[]
The wall of the library as well as the wall of the enclosed promenade, are now indiscernible.
At the time, the condition of the Second Class Library is unknown due to its location within the extensively damaged 350 foot long stern section of the ship, it is thought that this part of the ship had not completely flooded when Titanic sank. The stern section gained speed on the descent to the bottom after hitting the sea floor. The decks pancaked on top of each other and pockets of trapped air imploded ripping apart large sections of the hull leaving a tangled mass of steel.
Popular culture[]
S.O.S. Titanic (1979)[]
| “ |
What do you find to read in that rather primitive library?" |
” |
The Second-Class Library is displayed well in S.O.S. Titanic, appears as a smaller room complete with its librarian, Thomas Kelland.
The room often appeared when Leigh Goodwin and Lawrence Beesley socialized and read the books that were available in the small library.
On the evening of April 14th, Thomas Kelland, assisted by Lift boy Alfie King, distributed declaration forms for American customs to the passengers at the library.
Gallery[]
