The Leonard at Logan House does have a connection with the sinking of the Titanic. We are located a block away from the former home of Senator William Alden Smith. So, who was Senator Smith and what is the connection to the Titanic?
Senator Smith served as the U.S. Representative from Western Michigan from 1895 to 1907, and was then elected to the U.S. Senate from 1907 to 1919, representing Michigan. He is most famously known for his involvement in the Titanic hearings.
When the Titanic tragically sank on April 15, 1912, it led to widespread shock and concern about maritime safety and regulations. Senator Smith, as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, took the lead in investigating the disaster. He conducted hearings that looked into the circumstances surrounding the sinking, the safety measures on board the Titanic, and the actions taken by the crew and passengers during the disaster. The outcome of the hearings led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations, both in the United States and internationally. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was established in 1914 as a direct result of the Titanic disaster and subsequent inquiries, aiming to improve safety standards for passenger ships and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
OK, so we do not have a direct connection to the Titanic but being located near the former home of Senator Smith ties this historic neighborhood to an important moment in history.