The great steamer loomed darkly over the Southampton port and thousands of people were crowded about either waiting to board the greatest and largest moving vessel of all time or saying goodbye to loved ones who would soon be departing from Southampton to New York.
As cars arrived on the port, carrying the wealthy first class people in them, the third class passengers turned their heads to watch.
As many boarded and went through the main terminal to deposit their luggage, third class also went through the health inspection previous to boarding.
Thomas Andrews stood on the decks of Titanic looking some three-hundred feet down at the thousands of people bustling about just minutes before Titanic was to set sail on its maiden voyage.
He took out his pocket watch and smiled. He was excited for the trip but he was also eager to scrutinize the ship further for any problems that needed fixing or changes that should be reconsidered. He looked up and down the first class deck that he was standing on.
More and more people were crowding onto the decks waving goodbye.
Down below on the Southampton dock an attractive, seventeen year old Rose Dewitt Bukater was stepping out of her shining vehicle onto the planks of the port.
She gazed up at the enormous vessel, towering 175 feet tall and over eight-hundred feet wide. The vessel's widest point was ninety-four feet and black clouds of steam were flowing gracefully out the tops of the smokestacks.
"I don't see what all the fuss is about." Rose said turning to her fiancé; Cal Hockley who was standing behind her. He was a somewhat impressive figure but his over bearing charm and whimsical expression did not impress her. "It doesn't look any bigger than the Mauritania."
"You can say that about some things, Rose but not about Titanic." He turned to assist Rose's mother; Ruth Dewitt Bukater out of the other vehicle. "It's nearly a hundred feet longer than Mauritania and far more luxurious. Your daughter is far too difficult to impress, Ruth." Ruth gave a slight chuckle. "So this is the ship they say is unsinkable."
Cal Hockley got suddenly excited. "God himself could not sink this ship." A tap on his shoulder made him turn. Suddenly aggravated he asked "What?" to an officer in a suit who was obviously employed by the White Star line to work on the decks of Titanic. "You have to check your baggage through the main terminal; it's around that way, sir."
Cal slipped him a large bill and pointed out his vale; Lovejoy to the man.
Rose began walking towards the ship's first class ramp. Cal caught up with her and together they followed Ruth onto the great ship. Rose noticed the happy expressions on the faces of those around her. The feeling that they felt, she did not feel.
Thomas Andrews, still standing on the deck, had taken out his small black book. He scribbled a notation about the ship railing having a paint chip already and planned to discuss the imperfection and several others he'd observed to Mr. Bruce Ismay, the ship's legal owner. He turned towards the entrance the first class had to the boat decks. More and more people were stepping through and he recognized various passengers. He nodded and greeted a few of them but a passenger who he did not recognize caught his attention.
She had flaming red hair and bright eyes. Her dress and first class hat made her look older than she really was and though her expression was one of calm disappointment. He was transfixed. So contrary she was to the other passengers that he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He didn't even notice that Cal's arm was attached to her's and that her mother was scolding her for lack of concentration.
It was at this moment that Rose turned away from her mother and her gaze fell right into the gentle dark eyes of Thomas Andrews. Her expression shifted from tense to relaxed and she smiled warmly at him. He tipped his hat and tried hard not to stare at her. He looked at his watch. Titanic would leave in five minutes.