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Centenary tribute to Titanic builders
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
From left: Michael Graham from Titanic Quarter, Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Hartley and John Andrews, president of Belfast Titanic Society
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The centenary of work beginning on RMS Titanic has been marked by a symbolic keel laying ceremony at Titanic Quarter.
John M Andrews, great-nephew of Titanic designer Thomas Andrews and president of Belfast Titanic Society, unveiled a memorial plaque on a replica keel plate which has been erected on the exact spot on the Titanic slipway where construction began in 1909.
One hundred years to the day since work began on the world’s most famous ship, the historic event was attended by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Tom Hartley, and a range of Titanic enthusiasts, including two members of the South African Titanic Society who travelled from Cape Town especially for the event.
The Lord Mayor said: “Belfast is justifiably proud of the Titanic and the skills and expertise of the men who built and designed her. No other city in the world can lay claim to her name in the way that we can.”
Keel laying was the first step taken in the building process of the Titanic. The first keel plate was laid on March 31, 1909, close to where the centre of the ship was to be, with the rest of the structure growing from this point.
The single plate was 26ft 6ins long, 52in wide and 1.5in thick. It also weighed over three tons.
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I not surprised that the lack of comments about this pile of wood on a bare concrete base does not seem to interest the public,of the keel laying,I look forward to something interesting this year in Belfast,to do with titanic so that I can report it to my supportive public who have helped me to keep the shannon ulster titanic going,and the help of the members of the first titanic society in Ulster.
Posted by patrick.j.toms | 05.04.09, 19:28 GMT
Why not a full size Titanic replica? James Cameron made one for the 1997 movie. Cost several millions. Think of the visual effect and the subsequent interest. Titanic moored at the slip way she was launched from. If they started now they could have it built by 2011. Get the firm that brought the M3, Westlink and M2 projects in ahead of schedule in to do the job.
Posted by lumina | 01.04.09, 16:21 GMT
Thos, below, should examine the Tele's article yesterday about Southampton's plans for the 'celebration' of the disaster. With the scale involved it will no doubt be a success.
I'm shocked that Tom Hartley states that 'Belfast is justifiably proud of the Titanic'.Is there much pride exhibited with the LZ 129 Hindenburg? How about celebrating successful Belfast-built ships, like SS Canberra, for instance?
Posted by Nate | 01.04.09, 14:07 GMT
I have looked at the comments and it shows me that the people of Belfast,are not bowled over by someone,s idea to boast about Titanic.When I formed the Shannon Ulster Titanic Society,the first Titanic Society in N.Ireland,people who knew nothing about Titanic,changed the name of the Society without my Permission,and consequently set themselves up as the voice and opinion without thinking of the consequences.The pile of wood and the hype of keel laying is not impressive does not do Belfast justice.
Posted by patrick.j.toms | 01.04.09, 13:36 GMT
I was playing Devils wotsit there...no matter what, she was an amazing ship no doubt about it, dwarfed only by the sad drama that unfolded on her maiden voyage.
Posted by robin | 01.04.09, 12:00 GMT
Is that all they can muster? We have known for a very long time that the centennaries are approaching - this is the first of several. Why are they not building a full size replica of the ship and make it into a hotel, conference centre, an entertainment and an education centre and (dare I say it) apartments?
This is all very half hearted and not very challenging.
Posted by Thos | 01.04.09, 11:58 GMT
Robin, that's 'one' way of looking at it.
Another question might be, how has the story of a heap of junk managed to capture the imagination around the world?
Posted by mickey | 01.04.09, 11:21 GMT
How can a city be proud of a heap of junk that was out-of-date before she sailed, was riddled with design flaws (sailing ship rudder design, not enough lifeboats etc.), & recklessly-operated (sailed too far North & too near the iceberg fields) that rendered her a coffin ship for so many poor souls???
Posted by robin | 01.04.09, 08:44 GMT