Interest in Titanic isn’t hard to fathom
THERE’S been international interest in an exhibition about the Titanic that gives new insight into the infamous ship, which sank on its maiden voyage to New York in 1912 after hitting an iceberg.
Tickets for the Dorman Museum are selling fast, as visitors flock to look at never-before-seen artefacts, stories from survivors and remarkable footage of the wreckage.
Middlesbrough Council say the Titanic display has proven to be its most popular event at the Linthorpe Road venue in years.
The exhibition also includes a fragment of deckchair that has never been seen in public previously, as it has been held by the Home Office until now.
The other surviving pieces of the deckchair are owned by James Cameron – the director of the blockbuster 1997 film Titanic.
JR Bowes, Middlesbrough Museums Manager, said: “There’s been a massive amount of interest with lots of people talking about the Titanic and planning a trip to Dorman Museum, with visitors who wouldn’t ordinarily travel into Middlesbrough buying tickets so far. I’ve even received a phone call from the USA due to the online articles about the exhibition.
“Many of our visitors have said they haven’t been to the museum since they were a child or are completely new to Middlesbrough.”
For fans of The Titanic film, the museum houses a life jacket, a Heart of the Ocean necklace, Captain Smith’s teacup and saucer, plus moulding from the grand staircase set. Donations also include items from the last surviving woman who had been on board the Titanic, Millvina Dean, who was only nine weeks old when the ship sank in April 1912.
And through the Teesside’s Titanic project, Middlesbrough Council is capturing the memories and experiences of local people who have a personal connection to the ship.
Siblings Elliott and Holly Casson, from Linthorpe, are distantly related to Joseph Bruce Ismay who owned the Titanic and was also onboard when it sank. Mr Ismay is also featured in Cameron’s film.
Titanic superfan Jared, 11, from Middlesbrough, has created a giant model of the ship from Lego. He says his Titanic lego model was great to build.
“I find it so fascinating researching the passengers that were aboard the ship,” he said.
“I have quite the collection of merchandise, but my favourite item so far is this Titanic Lego.
“I would like to go to the official Titanic Museum in Belfast, but for now I’m just so happy and overwhelmed that the Dorman Museum is bringing the Titanic to Middlesbrough.”
Titanic opened on the first floor of the Dorman Museum on May 6. It’s on daily from 10am-4pm, until September 3. Advance tickets to the Titanic exhibition are £5, and £6 on the day. Entry to the permanent museum galleries is free.