Remembering the titanic
We invite you to travel back in time through the original pages of The Columbus Dispatch - then titled the Columbus Evening Dispatch. Join us in ...
is proud to present this special historic section commemorating the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic and COSI’S “TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition.”
On a calm April night in 1912, the world’s largest ship, Titanic, the ship of dreams, struck an iceberg and slowly sank in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. The unthinkable tragedy claimed more than 1,500 lives, and is etched in our minds forever. But the stories of those lost and found live on today. With tickets on sale now, COSI will take visitors on the most unforgettable journey, transporting them to a different place and time. From the beginnings of building a modern day miracle, to the unfathomable fate that met the mighty ship, the truth will be re-told through artifacts salvaged from the Titanic gravesite. The great ship, at that time was the largest and most luxurious afloat, considered “unsinkable.” Consider this quote from The Shipbuilder: “. . . in the event of accident, or at any time when it may be considered advisable, the captain can, simply by moving an electric switch, instantly close the doors throughout and make the vessel practically unsinkable.”
But the history of this ship took an ill-fated turn shortly before midnight on April 14, after colliding with an iceberg. The ship sank at 2:20 a.m. April 15 forever altering thousands of lives.
“The glamour associated with the ship, its maiden voyage, and its notable passengers magnified the tragedy of its sinking in the popular mind. Legends arose almost immediately around the night’s events, those who had died, and those who had survived. Heroes and heroines, such as American Molly Brown, were identified and celebrated by the press. The disaster and the my thology that has surrounded it have continued to fascinate millions.” Encyclopedia Britannica
On Sept. 1, 1985, the wreck of the Titanic was found lying upright in two pieces on the ocean floor, 13,000 feet below the surface. RMS Titanic who has exclusive salvage rights to the wreck has brought thousands of artifacts to the surface. But controversy has followed. Dr. Robert Ballard who discovered the Titanic, feels the wreck site should have a look but don’t touch policy. He told National Geographic News the damage the sunken ship has acquired is from treasure hunters who have salvaged the wreck for artifacts. The goal of RMS Titanic Inc., however, is to preserve those memories.
Its artifact conservation is to stop deterioration, allowing objects to be exhibited wearing the face of the trauma they have experienced. It will be a constant reminder to all who visit COSI’S “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” of life’s fragility and the enduring strength of the human spirit.