The Cambridge college, which was attended by Hamish Harding, the British billionaire trapped in the missing tourist submarine Titan, hosted an underwater-themed May Ball last night after refusing to change the subject because it “had been chosen months ago”.
This year’s Pembroke College May Ball featured underwater decorations, submarine branding and marine themed entertainment such as shanties.
Mr Harding, 58, is currently missing in the Atlantic Ocean after a trip to the wreck of the Titanic went wrong and the submersible he was on lost contact with its mother ship.
The ball is expected to run out of breath at 5 a.m. Thursday, just hours before the submarine, for the five people stranded on board this morning.
May Balls are held in Cambridge during the week of May at the end of the academic year and are a traditional celebration of the conclusion of exams. Colleges typically have budgets in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Hamish Harding, 58, is currently missing in the Atlantic after visiting the Titanic wreck
Pembroke College, Cambridge continued with underwater ball as planned
The May Ball Committee released this statement on its website just hours before the ball
Rescue teams continue the search for the Titanic submersible that went missing during a trip to the Titanic shipwreck
A statement on the ball’s website, just hours before the actual ball, said: “We are aware of the worrying news about Pembroke graduate Hamish Harding.”
“Today’s May Ball theme was chosen many months ago and if we could change it now, we would.”
“All we can say is that we sincerely hope that Mr. Harding and the others aboard the submarine are found safe and sound.” “Our thoughts are with the Harding family at this very difficult time.”
The theme of the ball was announced in February, but the committee continued to release images of submarines and dark underwater scenes leading up to the ball yesterday, including during the time Mr Harding was missing.
Guests paid up to £175 per ticket for a night of entertainment, celebration, food and alcohol.
Those lining up for the prom on Wednesday night listened to sea shanties, and inside, students enjoyed music from entertainers like Fisherman’s Girlfriends, Colonel Spanky’s Love Ensemble, and The Lightwaves.
Among the food and drink on offer was a stand from fish and chip caterer Pimp My Fish.
A current student at the college also claimed on social media that the ball committee had to cancel some of its “promotional materials” at the last minute for fear of a lack of sensitivity.
These reportedly included images of “a kraken pulling a submarine down”.
The ball had lots of underwater decor, like these jellyfish models
The ball had the name: “Nautilus – Into The Depths”
The Maiball Committee continued to release underwater images, including those of submarines, up until the ball itself
In addition to the logo, the theme of the May Ball was also named: “Nautilus: Into the Depths”.
Although the May Ball Committee, made up of current students at the college, issued a statement on its website, Mr Harding was not mentioned on any of his social media accounts.
Photos from inside the ball show an underwater decoration and the ball’s branding features divers, submarines and sea creatures like octopuses.
Some students were appalled at the decision to conduct the ball and its theme at such an insensitive time.
Sam Hudson, who studies history and philosophy of science at Trinity Hall College, said, ‘Candlelight vigil at the May Ball!’ To do otherwise would be disrespectful.’
Another current student wrote on Twitter: “Oh my god.”
A third added: “Omfg”.
Pembroke College and the Pembroke May Ball have been contacted for comment.