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Toronto Proud Of Link With Great Maritime Tragedy
Who knew there was a connection between the TTC and the Titanic, and not just that both are often associated with the words “transportation” and “disaster” (ba-dum-bum)? An exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre features four Toronto streetcar tickets salvaged from the world’s most famous shipwreck by a 1987 expedition.
The tickets are believed to have been the property of Major Arthur Godfrey Peuchen, a wealthy Toronto socialite who was sailing home from England when the Titanic had its historic encounter with an iceberg. Peuchen survived the disaster, although he was reportedly vexed to the end of his days by the belief that his betrothed had been bedded by a plucky but doomed young American named Jack.
A ride on the “Toronto Railway” cost a nickel back in 1912, but would only take you as far east as the Don Valley, at the time believed to be the end of the earth.
The exhibition runs until March 16, and is worth seeing if only because it reminds us of a time when millionaire socialites still rode the streetcar.
Photo by nol on Flickr.