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Leonardo DiCaprio's German grandmother Dies Age 93
At the age of 93 years Helene Indenbirken, the German grandmother of Leonardo DiCaprio, who lived in Oer-Erkenschwick in the vicinity of Recklinghausen, Germany until her death. In March 2000 she attended the TITANIC MUSEUM-GERMANY’s Exhibition which included the replica of the A-deck promenade, in it’s original size.
"We were very concerned about her considering her age but she was remarkable," said Ullrich Griese, representative director.
Whether DiCaprio will attend her cremation in Germany, is unsure at this moment due to his filming commitments. He recently visited his grandmother at her home in Germany. According to family spokesperson, Indenbirken in the last few months, her mental and physical condition had deteriorated dramatically. The family had expressed their concern at her worsening state.
Leonardo DiCaprio had a very warm and close relationship to his "grandma", as he affectionately called her. Griese remembered their visit: "The grandmother of the museum's founder and director Andreas Pfeffer was also present. The grandmothers talked about their grandchildren and TITANIC! "Anna Helene Pfeffer is half a year younger and is also in poor health, she is at present in a nursing home.
 Titanic Film Maker & Historian |
Titanic Historian ~ Ralph White dies suddenly Ralph White participated in 13 diving expeditions to the wreck of the TITANIC and is well known for his film images 35 times to a depth of 3800 m. As the news of his sudden death arrived, TITANIC MUSEUM-GERMANY director Andreas Pfeffer decided to telephone Norm Lewis, the head of the Canadian-TITANIC Society. Lewis was initially taken deep and near to tears. But he then reported that Ralph White on Sun 3.Februar'08 feeling unwell, was taken to hospital There, he suffered a heart attack and aged 66 died on Monday 4.Februar'08! Norm Lewis said: "He was my best friend and the loss is for us all very painful," White was also the deputy director of the Society, and was known to a worldwide audience for his excellent film footage from the wreck of RMS Titanic. Lewis described him as a great adventurer, who is now on his last expedition, was broken!'A sad loss to all of us' ~ Howard Nelson, THT Courtesy of: Norman Lewis, Canadian Titanic Society and Andreas Pfeffer ~ Titanic Museum Germany |
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Titanic Survivor Barbara West Dies Age 96
September 2007: |
 The Carpathia Dive Team with double-headed telegraph |
All back from Carpathia safe – we had six straight days on the wreck and hooked up with PH Nargeolet & RMST on a COMEX salvage boat [MV Janus] for 3 of those days – it was very cool. We made some recoveries including a double-headed telegraph from 155mtr! [515ft] and few plates. We handed over the telegraph and 2 plates to them. No-one bent on Carpathia, running 20-25 minute bottom times, dives comfortable – no dramas. Lost loads of diving gear lost due to implosion, 2x HD video cameras [Amphibico and Gates Housings], lots of lights, CCR buzzer, pressure gauges………….. ! Ric Waring got bent on another mark on way home and spent 4 hours in the chamber on-board. He had dived Carpathia and following day we picked a new mark near the Sicily Islands at 105mtr, it was inevitable I guess! He’s OK now, no problems. |
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The wreck is not pretty – totally obliterated and flat, heavy trawl net damage – loads of artifacts scattered though. There are not many identifiable areas – The bridge has collapsed onto the foredeck and the brdge gear has now been cleaned out [except the helm couldn’t find it]. The Marconi Shack is totally collapsed under itself and we could only find the antenna disappear under a pile of steel plates and debris – shame that. Could not locate any Ship’s Bells, Neither could COMEX with their ROV. The ‘Bell’ on Cussler’s ROV footage turned out to be the base of an oil lamp. We nearly lost Richie Stevenson on the last dive [diving a Megladon rebreather]. He was scootering at 143mtr on full speed on his Silent Submerge Scooter and locked the throttle 'on', he was at the Stern of the wreck [Shotline in the Bow 100mtr away!] and his mouthpiece ripped of the rubber bite and flew behind his head [he has just the rubber mouthpiece in his mouth at 143 mtr!]. He instinctively let go of the still running scooter which then drove him down 15mtr in 10 seconds holding his breath to the seabed [full speed] to 158mtr! He couldn't get his loop as the force of the scooter driving him forward pinned the loop behind his head. When he hit the bottom the scooter was trying to drill a hole in the seabed, but he managed to get onto bail-out and retrieve the loop from behind his head then shut his scooter down. He bailed back into the rebeather and cleared the now flooded loop [as you can with Meg and Ouroboros CCR] - this was minute 22. He then had to get back onto the scooter and headed back to the shotline at the bow! When he got to the surface he was white as a ghost and had what can only be described as a release of emotions – scary, scary sh*t!!
Off to the Arctic at the end of the Month to complete X5, |
Titanic A Service of Remembrance is held in Coventry Cathedral
Full report, pictures plus ITV Local News Report
May 2007: The Duff-Gordon saga, the truth is told, the family is exonorated. Crows Nest keys to be sold at auction.