Voyage on the Great Titanic

"Voyage on the Great Titanic" is a Dear America book written by Ellen Emerson White.

The story begins in London, England, where a young thirteen year old girl named Margaret Ann Brady is keeping a diary. She lives in an orphanage because her older brother William cannot pay her passage to America, where he resides. One day, Margaret is offered a job as a "companion", or a maid, to an American woman named Mrs. Carstairs. Margaret will accompany her on her voyage to America on a new ship called the RMS "Titanic". Margaret writes in her diary about how excited she is about the voyage.

The beginning of the trip goes more than smoothly. Margaret meets a handsome young steward, Robert, and befriends him. But one night, 14-15 April 1914, the ship crashes into an iceberg and starts to sink slowly. Margaret is terrified. Mrs. Carstairs escapes to safety on a lifeboat, and tells Margaret that they will meet up again soon.

Margaret rushes down the ship and looks for Robert. More and more lifeboats are leaving, but she figures there'll be more. Finally, she finds Robert. They chat and share a tender moment. They kiss twice. Margaret then leaves him, and he is left to die.

Once back on top deck, Margaret is lucky enough to leave on the very last lifeboat and is the very last person on it. She and her fellow passengers watch in horror as the grand ship sinks. They hear the cries of the dead as they move on, only rescuing a few people from the cold chilling waters.

They find their savior, the "Carpathia". On board, Margaret finds Mrs. Carstairs. She searches for Robert...but never finds him.

In New York Margaret says farewell to Mrs. Carstairs and finds William. They go to his home, in Boston, and the story ends with this:

"As long as I live, I will never forget the great courage shown by Robert and so many others. I only hope that I can live up to their fine example. I pray they are all at peace."

The book also includes an Epilogue and Historical Note.