I'm not so sure

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This weeks prompt on Writers Island is 'Questionable'.

I love a conspiracy theory. Particularly when my reasoned judgement coincides with that of the conspirator’s.

But let’s get one out of the way. There are people today who still believe that Princess Diana was ‘disposed of’ by a certain member of the Royal Family. This is one conspiracy theory that I am unable to subscribe to. Let’s just think about it. It would have been so easy to place a marksman in the building opposite if Diana was to have been killed that night. Consider this (a) what were the chances of the driver being under the influence of alcohol on that night (b) Diana not wearing a seat belt and (c) the driver colliding with a wall. Certainly the most clumsy and flawed assassination plot ever. So let’s sideline that one!


But I have two favourite conspiracy theories. The first concerns the sinking of the Titanic. I think the whole story is questionable. On September 20th 1911, its sister ship the Olympic was involved in a collision with the naval cruiser HMS Hawke. The circumstances of the accident were such that it was not possible for White Star Line to make a claim for the damage to their liner from their insurance company. The Titanic was still under construction at the time, but when it was due to be launched it was decided to swap over the names of the two vessels. The Olympic was patched up , renamed Titanic, then sent to sea on its ‘maiden voyage’ and deliberately sailed into an iceberg. The lack of sufficient lifeboats was an unfortunate oversight in the design of this supposedly unsinkable ship. After the accident the insurance company paid out for the loss of the ‘Titanic’ and the ‘Olympic’ (nee Titanic) sailed on.

The two ships had slightly different porthole configurations, and photographs of the two ships at the time clearly showed the shapes and positions of the portholes reversed. I rest my case.

I mentioned two conspiracy theories. Given that the majority of my visitors are based in the USA, I am a little reluctant to bring up my second topic. So I’ll say it quickly in the hope you don’t notice. I think the Moon Landing on July 20th 1969 was a hoax. An elaborate studio set-up in which the producers failed to realise that a flag wouldn’t flutter, and shadows wouldn’t appear as they were portrayed. Sort of a ‘ba-hoo we got there first’ gesture to the USSR.

I would be very interested to receive your comments – on the Titanic that is! Given that 89% of Americans are convinced that the moon landing actually happened, I could be out here on my own on that one!
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