Titanic Museum and caisson

I'm not sure where my fascination with the Titanic began. It might have been when I read 'Raise The Titanic', which was probably the first non-science fiction 'grown-up' book I ever read. But then I wonder why I picked it up if I wasn't already interested in the story of the ship?

Anyway, over the years, I've bought books about it, listened to radio programmes, and watched documentaries (although never actually watched James Cameron's film). I don't think it's a matter of hubris that engrosses me as much the scale of what happened. Although having written that, there is something about the impartial hand of nature casually destroying such a monument to man's industry that seems to contain a vital lesson.

Quite apart from the loony theory* that it was actually her sister ship, the Olympic, and not the Titanic that sank, I've read all sorts of theories about why the disaster happened and how it could have "easily" been avoided, none of which, ironically, hold water. 

As part of our trip to Belfast, which is to see a Hannah Peel concert, tomorrow, the Minx had booked us into the Titanic Museum. We walked from our hotel, this morning, enjoying the city and then the docks, until we walked past the SS Nomadic and the caisson that shares its dry dock, looking towards the amazing architecture of the museum.

As attractions go, I don't think I've been to a better one. It begins with the fascinating, prosperous history of Belfast, which makes the Troubles seem all the sadder, although, that said, there is the stark contrast between the city's prosperity and the grinding poverty of so many of the workers in the shipyards. (See also Manchester et al)

Then the museum focusses on the sheer splendour of the Titanic, the scale of the engineering - breathtaking - and the opulence of the build. Even the third class accommodation was luxurious by the standards of the time. It's brilliant build up to the collision with the iceberg.

From here, of course, it's both tragic and morbidly fascinating: the footage from the seabed is simply mesmerising. Even the most mundane items acquire an aura of significance: a simple shoe becomes symbolic. As we walked back out into the sunshine I was stunned to see that we'd been in the museum for over two hours. If you're in Belfast: would recommend!

* Although there is just enough 'evidence' to make it engaging. 

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No scales
Reading: 'How Art Made Pop And Pop Became Art' by Mike Roberts