Figure 1.--Douglas is seen here playing on the deck of the "Titanic". This is the famous Father Brown photograph of Douglas playing with a spinning top. Father Brown was a Jesuit priest. His photographs survived because he disembarked at Queenstown, Ireland, the last port of call before New York. Douglas is wearing a coat over a sailor tunic suit. I can't quite make out what kind of cap he is wearing, but I can make out a chin strap to make sure that the ocean breeze does not blow it off. Click on the image to see a fuller view of the deck. Source: Fr. Brown S.J. Collection.

The Spedden family travelled by ship to Europe and then travelled to lots of places by train. Douglas was then a boy of 7 years. On one occasion they travelled to Paris on a night train. Douglas found this exciting and enjoyed travelling in a sleeping compartment where he had a bed and slept throughout the journey. When the holiday was over they caught the Paris to Cherbourg Boat train and boarded a ship and had an adventurous voyage back to America. We know much about this boy from a book his mother wrote about him in 1913. The book is called Polar the Titanic Bear. The story is about Douglas and a Steiff Teddy Bear. Daisy wrote the book as a Christmas present for him. He read it on Christmas Day 1913. It is a story that tells use about Douglas. The narrator is the bear. It is a cuddle toy that Douglas was particularly fond of. The book tells the story of Douglas and his Steiff-Polar teddy bear who took a journey on the Titanic together. Notice the white polar bear with Douglas in the picture. The bear was given him that year by his aunt when he was about to sail to Europe with his parents. Douglas departed America with his parents for Europe in September 1911. The family were in Paris during March 1912 and at the end of their tour they left on the Paris-Cherbourg Boat train. They boarded the Titanic. Four days later the Titanic on its Maiden voyage collided with an iceberg. The Spedden family were fortunate to all be rescued. the story in the book is "told" by polar the bear. Originally Daisy Spedden wrote this story and gave it as present to Douglas in 1913."

European Trip

They travelled by ship to Europe and then travelled to lots of places by train. Douglas was then a boy of 7 years. On one occasion they travelled to Paris on a night train. Douglas found this exciting and enjoyed travelling in a sleeping compartment where he had a bed and slept throughout the journey. When the holiday was over they caught the Paris to Cherbourg Boat train and boarded a ship and had an adventurous voyage back to America.

Bermuda and Panama

Early in 1910 they sail to Panama and Bermuda. His father possibly took the photograph on the beach in Bermuda. He is with his mum. The picture shows them both wearing swimming costumes.

Algeria and France

The next tour is to Algeria, Cannes and Paris this took place in the latter quarter of 1911. His mum photographed him with his father at the hotel they stayed in. It is hard to tell what he is wearing because he is wearing a coat. He has baggy knickerbockers. He has white stockings and boots. They travelled to Cannes in the South of France. Here Douglas saw his first aeroplane. From Cannes they travelled on a night train to Paris. The book does not say but it is very likely that the train was a sleeper. After their stay in Paris they returned to America. They travelled by on the Paris- Cherbourg Boat Train. The liner they sailed on was the Titanic.

The Titanic

It was the Titanic's maiden voyage. Unfortunately 4 days into the voyage the liner collided with an iceberg and sank. All the family including servants were rescued. Father Browne took the well-known picture of 6-year Douglas on deck with his father. Lots of passengers are watching the boy play with a spinning top (figure 1). We know much about Douglas from a book his mother wrote about him in 1913. A photograph shows the white polar bear with Douglas in the picture. The bear was given him that year by his aunt when he was about to sail to Europe with his parents. Douglas departed America with his parents for Europe in September 1911. The family were in Paris during March 1912 and at the end of their tour they left on the Paris-Cherbourg Boat train. They boarded the Titanic. Four days later the Titanic on its Maiden voyage collided with an iceberg. The Spedden family were fortunate to all be rescued.

Figure2.--This is the cover of the book Douglas's mother wrote for him. Copyright: Leighton H. Coleman III all rights reserved, www. polarthetitanicbear.com"

Polar the Titanic Bear

the story in the book is "told" by polar the bear. Originally Daisy Spedden wrote this story and gave it as present to Douglas in 1913. The book is called Polar the Titanic Bear. The book tells the story of Douglas and his Steiff-Polar teddy bear who took a journey on the Titanic together. Daisy wrote the book as a Christmas present for him. He read it on Christmas Day 1913. It is a story that tells use about Douglas. The narrator is the bear. It is a cuddle toy which Douglas was particularly fond. The story tells how the bear was given to Douglas when he went on a cruise to Madera in 1909. While staying on this island Douglas caught a childhood illness and was ill for part of his stay there. His Nanny who he called ‘Muddie Boons’ looked him after. There are several pictures of Douglas taken when he was recovering from measles. One was taken while he was bed ridden. It shows him wearing a nightshirt and there is a thick warm blanket to keep him warm, despite him being in a place that has a warm temperature all year round.

Sources

Spedden, Daisy Corning Stone. Polar the Titanic Bear. (Little, Brown and Comopany, Madison, 1994) ISBN70316806250.

Created: June 19, 2003
Last updated: June 19, 2003