 | « Back to article | Print this article |
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton, United Kingdom, to New York City, United States.
The sinking of Titanic caused the deaths of 1,502 people in one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in modern history. The RMS Titanic was the largest ship afloat at the time of her maiden voyage.
Now an Australian billionaire, Clive Palmer, plans to reconstruct the Titanic. The new ship named Titanic II will be every bit as luxurious as the original.
Construction of the ship will take place at CSC Jinling Shipyard in China with her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in 2016.
Let's take a look at the beautiful and magnificent Titanic II, courtesy of Blue Star Line, who have been kind enough to share the photos and details with us.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
It is through the rebuilding of the ship Palmer wants to recognise the artists and artisans whose skill, creativity and dexterity has never to this day been fully acknowledged because of the ship's limited service.
This magnificent vessel is to be constructed in memory of the heroic people who served on the ship, the passengers who sadly shared their fate and all those that survived the tragedy.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
The first-class grand staircase is Titanic's most recognisable feature and descended through most decks from the Boat Deck all the way down to F Deck where the Turkish Baths were located.
It was predominantly decorated in the William and Mary style where dignified oak paneling was enriched with exquisite carvings of fruit and foliage in the Grinling Gibbons style.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
Walnut, sycamore, mahogany, satinwood and the best oak paneling were used liberally in the best first-class rooms. The finest suites were decorated in a variety of styles - from Empire and Louis XVI, to various Dutch styles, Queen Anne and Italian Renaissance, all exquisitely paneled.
No expense was spared in designing and fitting out Titanic and only the best manufacturers and fittings were sourced.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
At the Boat Deck level the grand staircase sat beneath a large wrought iron and glass dome, at the centre of which was a magnificent, 50-light crystal chandelier.
The grand staircase was perhaps the heart of first class where every passenger would traverse either on their way to their stateroom, the Lounge or one of the many other public rooms.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
The first-class Smoking Room was exclusively a retreat for the male passengers and was designed to resemble the fashionable gentleman's clubs of New York and London.
The style was early Georgian and while that usually favoured intricate carvings, this was largely replaced by inlaid mother-of-pearl which gave the rich mahogany paneling an even more favourable effect.
Around the room the stained glass windows were a work of art themselves and depicted nautical and country scenes.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
The first-class Dining Saloon was the largest room on any ship at the time. Nearly 35 metres long and spanning the entire width of the ship, the room was decorated in Jacobean style but instead of the heavily carved rich wooden paneling, the room was almost entirely paneled in white.
Leaded glass windows with light diffusion screens covered the portholes to eliminate any hint that one was aboard a ship. Placed about the room were dozens of tables that either allowed more intimate dining for two or could accommodate large parties of up to 12 passengers.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
Titanic's Cafe Parisien was a very last minute addition to her plans and was thanks to a stroke of genius by her designers, looking to better utilise a small promenade outside the a la carte Restaurant.
This facility was open all day from 8am to 11pm where light refreshments, small meals and sandwiches could be purchased at any time throughout the day - all served by authentic, French-speaking waiters.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
On Titanic the third-class Dining Saloon was split in two sections. One was used by single men who were usually accommodated in one part of the ship and the other section was mainly for single ladies or families.
The decor was very simple and the walls were adorned with posters advertising other White Star Line ships or travel routes.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
In many ways, class defined people and it was important to be seen in the right place. While travelling first class suggested a certain standing and wealth, some passengers preferred the relaxed social etiquette of second class that was so de rigueur in first class.
Third-class cabins, meanwhile, were reserved for the masses.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
The Marconi installation aboard Titanic demonstrated the epitome of technological advancement. Thanks to the installation of this state-of-the-art system, Titanic could communicate with other ships and have messages relayed to one side of the Atlantic or another when in mid-ocean.
Passengers could enjoy the novelty and convenience of sending messages, which was equivalent to sending an electronic postcard.
While these rooms will be recreated aboard Titanic II, they will be done so purely for historic significance and will not be functional.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
Although ship design has evolved over time, the function of the bridge has not changed. This was the navigational control centre of the ship and given it's positioning, provides a commanding view forward and from either side of the ship. From here, instructions could be relayed to the engine room as well as other areas across the ship.
Aboard Titanic in 1912 the Navigating Bridge housed a number of telegraphs which relayed controls and was open at the sides. One of the ship's three wheels was also located in the bridge but it was largely used for maneuvering when docking. During the voyage, all steering was conducted from within the Wheelhouse.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
The original Titanic also had a gymnasium that included a punching bag, a rowing machine and exercise bikes.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
The new Titanic will also have a squash court, just like the one on the original Titanic.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
Titanic was not the first ship to have a swimming pool on board, however it was still a relative novelty and a luxury at the time.
Facilities in the pool area included a row of changing cubicles and, as the pool was filled with salt water, two showers were also provided for passengers to rinse after a swim.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
In addition to being one of the amusements for the first-class passengers, it was also an integral part of the Turkish bath experience where one was required to take a refreshing plunge after being increasingly heated in the temperate and hot rooms (equivalent to a sauna).
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
There were even lifts on the ship.
Click NEXT to read more...
A tour of Australian billionaire's AMAZING Titanic
The lifts were so luxurious that they had sofas.