After the disastrous demise of Titanic in the deep icy waters of the North Atlantic you would think it might be a bad idea to attempt to replicate the original luxury liner and give her the same name. However, 101 years after the unfortunate vessel sank, Australian billionaire Professor Clive Palmer is planning to do just that.
Titanic II will be built to resemble the original as closely as possible with a few vital exceptions. The stunning and opulent interiors will give first-class passengers the same impression of luxury as those who paid for the 1912 voyage, and the ship will contain an Edwardian-style gymnasium, complete with early twentieth century exercise equipment, Turkish baths and a Swimming bath. There will also be Second and Third Class accommodation and dining rooms, again replicating the original, however, mobile phones, internet and television will not be permitted. Of course, Titanic II will have a full-complement of lifeboats, modern engines and other safety features.
To publicise his plans for the yet-to-be-built ship, Professor Palmer invited would-be punters to a fantastic gala dinner at the Natural History Museum, London on 2nd March, 2013. The menu, a 12-course dinner, was the same as that served to first-class diners on the night the ship went down and included oysters, king scallop, salmon, steak, lamb, duck, foie gras terrine and Waldorf pudding. Guests included a number of former Heads of State from around the world, representatives of charities, Titanic history societies, and a well-heeled selection of people who might be interested in signing-up for the maiden voyage. Live entertainment and video loops of original Titanic film along with graphics of the proposed ship kept the guests amused.
What are your thoughts on Titanic II?
Further reading:
* Design Boom: the interiors of Titanic II
* Blue Star Line: Titanic II news
* Titanic II to be Clive Palmer's 'ship of dreams'
* THP Titanic books
* The award winning Titanic Real Time