Titanic, Yesterday and Today

At noon on Wednesday, April 10, 1912, The RMS Titanic began its maiden voyage to New York from Southampton, England. She would never reach her destination. Instead, she sank in the North Atlantic on April 15 after striking an iceberg. Approximately 1,496 people are believed to have died.

Today, on the 107th anniversary of Titanic’s departure from Southampton, interest in the ship and her passengers and crew remains at an all-time high. Millions have visited Titanic artifact museums, read one or more of the hundreds of related books and articles, or viewed the many movies and documentaries. If you or someone you know has attended a Titanic conference, dinner, or similar event, chances are good it took place during the second or third week of April.

Two of the largest Titanic-related projects have been under construction for some time. In China’s Sichuan province, a full-size replica of the Titanic was begun in 2014. It will be permanently docked on the banks of the Qijang River. The builders claim it will function as a tourist attraction and hotel, with many features of the original ship, including the dining rooms, staterooms, and Grand Staircase.

Another long-awaited endeavor is Titanic II, a remake of the RMS Titanic, set to sail around the world, beginning with a voyage from Dubai, then Southampton to New York, which the first Titanic failed to complete. Financial setbacks have stalled construction, leading many to wonder if it will ever happen. However, millionaire developer Clive Palmer claims that the ship’s targeted launch date is now set for 2022. Titanic II will resemble the original as much as possible, but with modern technology, safety features, and more than enough lifeboats to accommodate all those on board.

An expedition to Titanic’s resting place, roughly two miles below the surface of the Atlantic, is set to take place this year. At $105,129 per person, the sold-out, eight day trip from Oceangate Expeditions will depart from Newfoundland. Once near the site, passengers will board a submersible vessel that will take them down to what remains of the ship. They will collect scientific data and study the ongoing decay of the wreckage.

Photo credits: Wikipedia.org, TitanicUniverse.com, Dailymail.co.uk, Placesyoullsee.com, Oceangate.com.

Titanic II May Sail After All

titanic two

Some have said it’ll never happen. Titanic II, a modern-day replica of the original Titanic, was supposed to have set sail in 2016. But due to financial difficulties and other setbacks, her launch was delayed until this year. Now, Australia’s millionaire Clive Palmer claims the ship will, in fact, launch in 2022 and be the flagship for the new Blue Star Line cruise company.

The ocean liner will feature the same design and layout as RMS Titanic but be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and safety equipment.

“The ship will follow the original journey, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York, but she will also circumnavigate the globe, inspiring and enchanting people while attracting unrivalled attention, intrigue and mystery in every port she visits,” states Palmer.

Clive Palmer

Titanic II’s two-week maiden voyage will begin in Dubai, then sail on to Southampton. The ship will have the exact number of cabins, passengers, and crew as Titanic did in April 1912. Ticket costs have yet to be determined.

The cost to build the ship is expected to be around $500 million. Construction is said to have begun in Nanjing, China, and a main office for Blue Star Line is planned for Paris. A stationary Titanic replica is currently under construction by another firm in China, and is set to open in 2019.

Would you like to sail on Titanic II? Personally, I would love to be in New York Harbor to welcome her, 110 years after her namesake was scheduled to arrive.

Photo credits: Wikipedia.org

References: foxnews.com, komonews.com, bigthink.com

Titanic in China

Welcome back to my blog about the RMS Titanic. I took a short hiatus due to moving, but I'm back to posting regularly again. As for writing updates, I’m still seeking publication of my novel about twelve-year-old Titanic survivor Ruth Becker, and I’m in the middle of writing a new novel, based on a true story that took place during the American Revolution. I love hearing from readers, so please continue to comment and share the posts with others.In 2017, we looked at the new Titanic replica being built in China—the first full-size replica of the ship ever constructed. Designed to be a tourist attraction and not actually sail anywhere, Titanic II (as some are calling it) is situated 930 miles from the nearest ocean, in Daying, Sichuan Provence. It will float, though, in a man-made reservoir to be built around it.

titanic-replica-sichuan

Construction site showing the hull interior, with insert of artist's rendering

National Public Radio recently checked on Titanic II’s progress. According to their report, the completion date was originally set for August 2017 but may still be a few years away, although the hull is finished. Inspired by the movie, Titanic, builder Su Shaojun of Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group hopes the ship will draw other movie fans, as well as anyone interested in the famous ship. Estimated to cost $145 million, plans initially called for a high-tech re-enactment of the iceberg collision, but those have been scrapped following criticism.

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Closer view of artist's rendering of the future Titanic II

With 40 million people residing in the area, Titanic II is certain to attract thousands of visitors from China and around the world. Guests will be able to book a room on board and participate in period-correct games and activities. Meals served will replicate the original Titanic offerings.

If distance and expense were no objects, would you take a “voyage” on Titanic II?

Photo credits: Nationalpost.com, Thatsmags.com

Titanic at the Movies

You’re probably familiar with the 1997 blockbuster, Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The film won 11 Academy Awards, and was the one of the most expensive movies ever made, costing approximately $200 million. The main characters are fictional, but some of the passengers and crew are based on real people.

In addition to the Titanic mega-hit by director James Cameron, there have been many movies made about the famous ocean liner. The first was released only 29 days after the sinking and starred one of its real passengers, actress Dorothy Gibson. Gibson wore the same dress in the movie as she did in the lifeboat that saved her life. Entitled Saved from the Titanic, all copies were lost in a movie studio fire following its release.

 A few foreign silent films about the Titanic followed. Then in 1929, the first sound film about the sinking was released. Titanic: Disaster in the Atlantic was produced in English, German, and French. It was highly fictionalized, and because it was the first full-length film offered in Germany, it became a big hit there.

In 1943, Nazi Joseph Goebbels oversaw a propaganda film, Titanic, in which a German officer is the hero and the British are the villains. It became the first film to mix fictional subplots and characters with historical figures. It was filmed aboard a German liner which later sank, with the loss of life greater than that of the actual Titanic.

Still regarded as one of the most historically accurate films about the Titanic, A Night to Remember was released in 1958. Based on the book by Walter Lord, some of the special effects scenes from the 1943 German film were ‘borrowed’.

Other Titanic movies include:

The Unsinkable Molly Brown, released in 1964, staring Debbie Reynolds.

Raise the Titanic, 1980, starring Jason Robards.

Titanica, 1995, an IMAX documentary narrated by Leonard Nimoy and featuring interviews with two survivors.

Ghosts of the Abyss, 2003, IMAX documentary from Walt Disney Pictures exploring the wreckage.

Titanic II, 2010, set aboard a new luxury liner Titanic II that hits an iceberg on her maiden voyage.

As long as interest in Titanic remains, there are certain to be more movies featuring some facet of the doomed ship. As for Titanic II, there are plans to build just such a ship—an exact replica of its namesake. More on that in a future post!