Has anyone ever bought a piece of coal from RMS Titanic Inc., and felt extreamly guilty about it?

I didn't even know that you could...

And why do you feel guilty? I mean I think I can see where your coming from but this is how "I" see this...

"You" are a Titanic fan right? =P Of course you are! You have a respectful love for the ship! Thus, is why you bought the coal... though it was from the deep watery grave, you meant it in the highest respectful way to keep what was once "apart" of the Titanic with you. Preseving her memory by having what I like to call "the ships food" in your room!

I think the Titanic rather have someone who has a high respect and love for her to have that coal than someone who is just trying to make a profit, but through this profit she finds a home to someone who loves her.

The coal itself was not "her" body or anything but still it was to keep her going on day to day as all ships! They need thier coal as we do food. So in that respect it is not like your ripping a limb off the Titanic (in metaphorical terms) your simply poessesing something that is an item that belonged to her.

Think of it this way, say you have something in real life that you love dearly even though it is simple maybe a for example a rock. This rock was gaven to you by someone special and prehaps they move away and lost contact somewhere down the line but you remember all the good times with them. Though they are no longer there you know they did not purposely drop thier friendship just time did it on its own. You keep this rock for in memory of them.

Later of course WAY down the line, you still have this rock now it has more than one sentimental value. You remember it from your younger childhood days and all the way up 'til your senior citizen days ^_^ And it has brung you good luck and you do not wish it to be just thrown away.

Some people might have it buried with them but this will only destroy the item that you have kept all your life.
Or
Maybe they rather
hand it down to someone who will care for it and take a great amount of care as you did through your life.

For I, I rather hand down the object to someone who will care for it than to just throw it away in my grave. All that time I sunk into it trying to keep track of it all my life, gone to waste. When that item could have went on down line to friends and family!

This is the the same type of concept, that is Titanic's grave where that coal came from but I think she rather have someone who will take care of it than it to rot away and go to waste.

an Oceanliner is built to help humans get to thier destination, who all is aboard them (that is if we view them as alive and have memories and feelings) they remember this, they hear the music playing and the peoples laughters and humans are also half there reason for existing! So humans are thier friends, they take care of them, get them out to see many things, get people on board and try to entertain them and the humans being happy they are happy!

So for you to have the coal from the Titanic, I’d doubt she mind at all! She is probably more than happy to give you that sense you got a great love for her. I believe a ship can feel this… I have read many articles and it is strange on some of them. After a Captain they have been around for so long for many years all the suddenly gets assigned to do another ship… they start getting into accidents weather minor or major. Doesn’t matter… I just find that a little ironic.

Yes I know I am weird but I am just trying to show a point here and to make you feel better…

But if you feel guilty I totally know where your coming from and the only way to make you feel better about this I am afriad is returning that very coal back to her grave. I do not think giving it to a muesum will make you feel better for the fact it is still not returned to the Titanic herself.

I am not sure how to help you from there…

-Cricket Korta’Ari-

Vanishing Nightmare, thank you for your in depth response. I have a side of me that believes along the lines of what you said.<br /><br />Another side of me is uneasy for a couple of reasons.<br />Not long after this coal went on the market, Dr. Ballard made a comment stating something to the effect that taking coal from the Titanic would be like taking samples of fuel from Flight 800 that crashed in the ocean (this happened not long before he made his remarks, 1996?). <br />I know he is very anti - salvage, and sometimes I tend to lean toward his point of view. For example, he states that you cannot take up helmets and belt buckles from the USS Arizona, so why should Titanic be any different?<br /><br />Another thing that troubles me is that I heard that RMS Titanic, which was selling the coal, was low on funds and was not making the money with their artifact exhibits to cover the expedition funds. As a result, the company's perservation funds and services were in trouble. This coal was sold to help fund this problem.<br /><br />I don't know is these rumors are or were true, but I guess my main point is I would feel terrible if I helped fund an organization that salvaged artifacts from the Titanic for profit, then let those artifacts deteriorate and crumble because of lack of care on their part. <br /><br />I guess the question of salvage goes on.... <img src="http://www.titanic.com/uploads/smil3dbd4d6422f04.gif" alt="" />

You must do what you feel deep down is right hon. What does this coal mean to you? I feel in my opinion it is in good hands... I know exactally what you mean though. I do not think the salvage will be ever settled because of the broad point of views.

I guess sense this is the case, this is a matter of your personal opinion of what you feel is right and what you feel is wrong.

I get that scense with a few things actually that I have with in my room but I want to protect them items from people who are out for greed.

Again, this is up to you. I truthfully think the coal is going to be taken good care of by you for the love and passion you have for the Titanic, as do I.

I do not know you well but the fact of the matter is you do "feel" guilt and this is showing that you "do care" about where this item comes from. This guilt I feel though is more, "what would one think of me for having this item?" Or something along them lines?

People will have strong feelings with salvaging and some are neutral but you already heard my side but my side has no weight to it, for it is not my desision in this matter.

Whatever you choose I hope it will make you feel better. In the salvaging subject, "The door can swing open both ways."

-Cricket Korta'Ari-

I myself have a lump of coal of the Titanic, and i felt guilty about owning something which came off a gravesite, but then i thought to myself that it is better in the possesion of those who will appreciate it and take good care of it than someone who would look at it and put it in a cupboard for whenever they want to show it off to someone and therefore cared little for it! Then I thought that if Titanic inc. was telling the truth about raising funds for the preservation of her hull, then a lump of coal which probably did not come in contact with anyone seems like a very small deal seeing that they picked it up form the middle of the debris field and therefore has little impact on the Titanic, i'd much rather they preserve the Titanic's body than a lump if coal of which there is a vast quantity! There is only one Titanic after all!

i bought a coal from the titanic necklace and on the back it says, "by your purchase of this necklace, you have contributed to peserving the artifacts, memory of titanic and all who sailed with her" see the money is used for good...without it who knows what would happen

I have never bought any coal. I would feel a little sad....sad because just thinking of...it was on that ship. but thats it/ no guilt should be expressed..