By Karissa HarrisMill Pond School, Grade 6
It is April 10, 1912, the day my family, friends, and I are going to board the RMS Titanic. We are traveling as first-class passengers.
While we are boarding, my husband and two children are waiting very patiently. Lilly, my 4-year-old daughter, is holding her favorite doll which I bought for her when she was just a baby. The doll’s name is Jillian (Jill for short).
Finally, we walk onto the ship and the first thing I lay my eyes on is the gorgeous craftsmen’s work! The woodwork is carved and polished. The platters are gold as the morning sun. The silverware is just so beautiful! As you can probably tell, I am very excited!
When we are about ready to set sail, Captain Edward James Smith tells all 2,224 passengers that we shouldn’t worry because this ship is unsinkable, so we will be safe.
When we finally enter our room, I am so tired from all the excitement that I think I may pass out! I take a good look around and I feel as if I were as rich as J.P. Morgan. We unpack all our suitcases while surrounded in the luxury of our room. Soon, we look out one of the portholes. It is a beautiful evening!
Later the next day, I have an eerie feeling. I have heard from other people that we shouldn’t have set sail because of all the icebergs. I think someone said we had seven iceberg warnings. But then I think to myself, “I mustn’t worry. The captain said that the RMS Titanic is unsinkable.”
A few days later, Henry and I are just putting the children to bed, and then we are going to head out to the ballroom to dance. I have no worries. I know everything is going to be fine.
Suddenly, BOOM! My heart stops! There is a big gasp. Everyone is shouting and I am worrying about the children.
My husband and I are running to get Lilly and Robert, when the people start to run to the poop deck then to the head of the ship. Back and forth they go. Lilly and Robert meet us wide-eyed at the door of our room. We hugged for what seemed like an eternity.
Henry, and the children, and I are confused. People are running to the 16 wooden lifeboats and four collapsible boats like two big herds of cattle because the captain said we hit an iceberg and we are going to sink.
My eerie feeling was right. The Titanic is not unsinkable. My family, friends, and I are scurrying to get on a lifeboat when all of a sudden we hear the band start to play!
When we finally reach a lifeboat, they say only four more people can fit on this lifeboat, so I say that my two children, my husband, and best friend can get on. So they did. We say our quick good-byes and I love yous, with tears, and off they go. It was the last time I will ever see them or they will ever see me.
I take a glance at Lilly in the far distance I see she doesn’t have her beloved doll Jill. I am thinking she must have dropped her while we were running to get on a lifeboat.
Looking all around, I finally spot her. I grab her and begin to tear up remembering the comfort she gave my daughter. If only this doll could comfort me now.
Then all of a sudden the boat tilts and … SNAP! Off goes the bow of the ship. The water is touching my feet. It is as cold as ice and I know I am going to die an icy death with Jill in arms. We are pulled under the frigid water.
My last thoughts are of what could have been…
Karissa Harris was one of the students from Mill Pond School whose writing was recently chosen to be published in “Potatoes and Pussywillows,” the annual literary magazine for Aroostook Right to Read which features writing from various authors in grades four through eight throughout Aroostook County. Also chosen as Young Authors were Emily Transue, Alexa Merritt, Jennah Steamer and Hannah Chapla. They will have the opportunity to attend Young Authors Day at UMPI in March where Maine author Lea Wait will be the featured guest speaker.
Karissa's piece, a fictional first person account as a passenger on the Titanic, was written based on her research of the events that actually took place.
