|
|
|
Titanic: The Artifact ExhibitionSpring strawberries in the middle of the ocean! Dubbed unsinkable, the Titanic sailed from Southampton, England on April 10, 1912, but the ship never reached its final destination, New York City, because it… sank! On the night of April 14, the liner struck an iceberg, which tore the ship’s hull in two, killing two-thirds of her 2,228 passengers. Will you survive the exhibition? Get your boarding pass, assume the identity of a real passenger on the ship and come aboard with me! The Titanic exhibition at the new Centre d’exposition de Montréal, in the Eaton Centre, is an extraordinary experience: as a passenger, you’ll admire a host of objects that were buried beneath the water for more than 75 years! Safe on dry land, you’ll visit a room that so successfully recreates a first-class suite that you'll think you’re on board! The ocean’s floor yielded up the numerous objects on display, many of which belonged to the world's wealthiest people! Luxury to rival the Ritz Fresh from Ireland’s Harland and Wolff naval shipyards on Queens Island, near Belfast, the sparkling new ship would set off on its maiden voyage in April 1912. You’ll begin the tour in that Irish shipyard, where you'll hear the workers going about their tasks to the strains of Irish music and see certain items recovered from ship, such as a porthole and a massive whistle. Whip out your chequebook and, for $4,350 ($50,000 in today’s money), you’ll join me in first class! !Travelling in style The well-to-do, in the early part of the 20th century, were entitled to the best, and their sumptuous meals included what at the time was considered a luxury. Like what, you ask? Strawberries! Many were astonished, including world-renowned British designer Lady Lucile Duff-Gordon, who sailed on the Titanic and was heard to declare “Imagine, strawberries in April, in the middle of the ocean! It’s all so very strange!” ! »
 A swimming pool, gymnasium, squash court, three elevators, luxurious dining room, Turkish baths, a grand ballroom, lounge, opulent smoking room... Titanic’s first-class passengers wanted for nothing! You’ll gaze upon the recreation of a lavish stateroom and imagine the couples who would stroll along the deck—a part of the ship that was inaccessible to those in third class!As for the other classes… Those of lesser means could also treat themselves to passage on the Titanic, but for $43 ($744 in today’s money) they didn’t exactly enjoy lush quarters: bunk beds, simple bedding, plain crockery and… two bathtubs for 708 passengers! The noise of the ship’s rumbling engines was never far, especially when they were being pushed hard! !
Titanic on the rocks! An immense crashing noise is heard around 11:40 on the night of April 14. An iceberg has just pierced the ship’s hull. Do you see that giant block of ice? It’s there, in the last room of the exhibition. Touch it, and relive the desperation of Titanic’s passengers. Captain Smith figures only two hours remain before the ship is completely engulfed.
When all else fails… Although no stateroom on Titanic bore the number 13, the disaster was forewarned by some: the journalist and passenger William T. Stead predicted it, citing the insufficient number of lifeboats. When he realized he would not survive, and with nothing left to do considering he was done for, he would go enjoy a final cigar seated in one of the smoking room’s splendid leather armchairs.
 And you? Will you be among the 700 survivors—just one-third of the liner's passengers? You’ll learn your fate by feverishly consulting a large board displayed in the final room of the exhibition, an exhibition in which you play a central role!
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is running until June 30th 2009 at the Centre d’exposition de Montréal, located on the 5th floor of the Eaton Centre.
| The last survivor just died (may 2009) | |
 Her name was Millvina Dean and she was a third-class passenger. She was 97 years old and she was… Titanic’s last living survivor! But don't ask her for any details of the tragedy—she was only two months old when she ship went down! In October 2008, Millvina Dean began selling all her keepsakes from the Titanic to pay for her health care. Happily, American producer David Gest made a cash donation to Ms. Dean to help Titanic's last survivor keep her mementoes for a good long time, we hope! |
 A strangely premonitory novel entitled Futility, published in 1898 by author Morgan Robertson, told the story the Titan, which foundered in the North Atlantic after striking an iceberg. The ship’s name was a bit different, but the length of the craft, the number of passengers and the month in which it sailed were identical to the Titanic! It’s what Edgar Allan Poe would have called “the shock wave of time”! |
Sylvain Lacoursière
Photos: Sylvie Brunetta
Brunetta Etc ! Communications
2009-06-03 |
|
|
Experience Québec
