Belfast Titanic

 Belfast Titanic

Titanic Belfast is the world's largest Titanic visitor experience and definitely a must-see on any visit to Belfast; in 2016 it was named the World's Leading Tourist Attraction. It is located beside the Titanic Slipways, the Harland and Wolff Drawing Offices and Hamilton Graving Dock. This is where Titanic was designed, built and launched in 1911. 

Titanic Belfast tells the story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast, her construction and launch, to her maiden voyage and subsequent place in history. The Titanic Experience extends over nine interpretive and interactive galleries, which explore the sights, sounds, smells, and stories of RMS Titanic, as well as the city and people who made her. These photographs will give you an idea of what you might see if you visit this marvellous museum.

You start by stepping back in time and learning about the thriving industries and design innovations that led to the creation of RMS Titanic, the largest and most luxurious ship in the world. 

You travel up a cage type lift and are in the Shipyard, travelling on a dark ride that uses special effects, animations, and full-scale reconstructions to recreate the reality of shipbuilding in the early 1900s. This ride was so good, that I went on it twice – there was too much to take in on one go around.

Next you are greeted with a panoramic eagle eye view of the actual slipways that both the Titanic and the Olympic once rested and re-live the excitement of launch day in 1911. From here, you can see the actual size of the ship (and its lifeboats), as they are drawn out on the ground below. 

The next part of the journey is to see a range of exhibits, models, and computer-generated imagery which illustrate the ship's opulent fit-out - including how the funnels with installed. 

There are exact replicas of the cabins, and a visual journey through the ship’s engine rooms, dining areas, lavish interiors, and promenade deck.

There is a series of photographs, from Belfast, Southampton, Cherbourg, and Queenstown; taken by Frank Browne. He travelled on the Titanic, but at Queenstown, when he asked his superiors if he could continue the voyage across the Atlantic, but they told him “To get off that ship”. Subsequently, that saved his life; and those 80 precious photographs that would have otherwise been lost. They are the only visual reminders we have of those few special days the Titanic was at sea. 

Then you move on to the area which pays tribute to the ship; and the 1,500 men, women and children who lost their lives on her tragic maiden voyage. You can read of the aftermath, the inquiries from Governments both sides of the Atlantic and the sensational news reports of the time. 

After seeing a huge wall dedicated not only to those soles who died, but also those who survived; you go down the poignant staircase thinking that is the end of the story.

But no! The story then continues with present-day exploration and discovery of the wreck in 1984 – and amazing video footage and photographs of what was discovered.

Again, after this section, you could think that was the end of the tour. But looking down the last staircase, you see the great ship suspended from the ceiling; atmospheric lighting illuminating its many portholes.

Around the walls, you can see moments from the Titanic’s short life…….. and below you is a glass floor with images of the wreckage when it was discovered at the bottom of the ocean. It is the most incredible sight – you feel as if you are standing in the submersible looking down at one of the most poignant discoveries ever made. 

There are cabinets around this room, with actual artefacts that were found in the ocean or at the rescue site. 

After a much-needed cup of coffee, I walked down the historic slipways where Titanic and her sister ship Olympic were built and saw at close hand the position of the lifeboats, exactly as they would have been on board the deck of Titanic. Back in the main building, there is a great shop selling souvenirs as well as 2 places to get refreshments. I spent over 4 hours at this museum, and this was without stopping to read every noticeboard; there is so much to experience here – I felt as if I was overloaded with information. I can highly recommend a visit – but give yourself plenty of time.

For more information please visit https://titanicbelfast.com

Thank you for taking time to follow my adventures,

Lynne

These are my other blogs :-

http://lynnejmorley.blogspot.com

http://lynnemorleys.blogspot.com

http://morleysjourneytoozandback.blogspot.com