Anniversary of Titanic Tragedy to be Marked at Two Ocean County Library Branches

TOMS RIVER – What were living conditions like aboard the mightiest passenger ship of its time? How did everything change as it began to sink in the icy Atlantic? Why is the catastrophe still riveting today? Join award-winning historian Greg Caggiano for “The Titanic: A Special Anniversary Presentation” at two Ocean County Library branches.

• Brick Branch – 301 Chambers Bridge Road, (732) 477-4513, 2 PM Wednesday, April 3. Please register at https://bit.ly/OclBrickTitanic
• Toms River Branch – 101 Washington Street, (732) 349-6200, 6 PM Monday, April 15. Please register at https://bit.ly/OclTitanicTR

It is 112 years since the luxurious liner left Southampton, England for New York on its maiden voyage. A collision with an iceberg near Newfoundland ruptured watertight compartments and set off the chain of events in which about 1,500 people perished.

Greg will examine the construction that bred the notion that the ship was “unsinkable” and the decisions that led to the tragedy. He will describe the drama of humans of widely-disparate means and social status, suddenly thrust together in calamity.

Also a renowned food blogger, Greg will bring a new perspective to the facts as he recounts the significance of the culinary aspects of the journey, including the last meals given to first-, second- and third-class passengers.

Greg will be familiar to OCL Toms River Branch visitors who attended his programs on the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and New Jersey’s “Haunted History.”

The Monmouth County historian has served on the boards of the Proprietary House, Perth Amboy, and also the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society, housed in the Strauss Mansion.

Please register to attend either of these free programs. Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.