AfterMath35 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 One of Australia's richest men, Clive Palmer, on Monday unveiled plans to build a 21st century version of the doomed Titanic in China, with its first voyage from England to New York set for 2016. Palmer, a self-made mining billionaire, said he had commissioned state-owned Chinese company CSC Jinling Shipyard to construct Titanic II with the same dimensions as its predecessor. "It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic but of course it will have state-of-the-art 21st century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems," Palmer said in a statement. "Titanic II will sail in the northern hemisphere and her maiden voyage from England to North America is scheduled for late 2016." He added that he had invited the Chinese navy to escort the Titanic II to New York. The announcement comes just weeks after the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, which went down on April 15, 1912 after striking an iceberg on its first voyage, from Southampton to New York. Palmer said the new ship would be a tribute to the spirit of the men and women who worked on the original, which sank with the loss of 1,514 passengers and crew. "These people produced work that is still marvelled at more than 100 years later and we want that spirit to go on for another 100 years," he said. Titanic was commissioned by White Star Line and was the largest liner in the world at the time. Palmer said he has established his own shipping company, Blue Star Line, with the new vessel having the same specifications as its predecessor -- 270 metres long (885 feet), 53 metres high and weighing some 40,000 tonnes. It will have 840 rooms and nine decks with design work in conjunction with an historical research team underway. No figure was given on how much it would cost. The only changes to the original would be below the water line including welding and not riveting, a bulbous bow for greater fuel efficiency, diesel generation and enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for increased manoeuvrability. "Titanic II will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury with on-board gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high class restaurants and luxury cabins," Palmer said. The ship would also include an exhibition room which will be located in the space of the original's coal boilers which will showcase his home state of Queensland. Palmer is estimated to be Australia's fifth richest person, worth more than Aus$5 billion (US$5.2 billion), thanks to his vast coal and other mining assets in Queensland and Western Australia. He has also branched out into tourism and owns the luxury Coolum resort on the Sunshine Coast, while recently saying he wants to move into the media industry, a sector dominated by Fairfax and Rupert Murdoch's News Limited. His decision to commission a Chinese shipbuilding yard, which will also construct other luxury liners for the tycoon, reinforces his ties to the country, which is a key buyer of his coal and iron ore. "The Chinese are renowned for building commercial cargo and container ships," he said. "China currently produces around two to three percent of the world's luxury ships but is looking to challenge the Europeans who have around 75 percent of this market. "The Chinese ship building industry with our assistance wants to be a major player in this market." The original Titanic was built in Belfast. http://ca.news.yahoo...5--finance.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucks since 77 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 And another giant tourist trap is invented. Clever marketing ploy is clever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Magician Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 The Aftermath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrdinaryBoy Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I'm in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 We all know how this is gonna end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrdinaryBoy Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 "The ship will have a giant heat ray to melt icebergs in its path." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Lombardi 18 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 As great as I think this project is for glorifying a famous ship, I personally think this guy - a billionaire that he is - could have used some of the money into helping kids/scholarships and the like. The impact would have much more useful. But it doesn't make a steady income. If this guy was serious about restoring the Titanic legacy, he would have let the Belfast citizens build it. They probably need the economy boost much more than China. Pfft. This guy's cashcowing the Titanic legacy to death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buggernut Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 If this guy was serious about restoring the Titanic legacy, he would have let the Belfast citizens build it. They probably need the economy boost much more than China. Pfft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buggernut Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 This guy's cashcowing the Titanic legacy to death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Lombardi 18 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Not everyone in China is rich and prospering in their new economy. And unemployment is not unheard of there. Most of them are still living at Third World standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buggernut Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I never said that this was going to be a major source of income. But undoubtedly he's doing this for some income. Maybe it's sentimental but I don't think he's going to be donating this to a museum anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dittohead Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Some people should'nt have billions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SukhKular Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Some people should'nt have billions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Lombardi 18 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 What museum wants a replica anyways? If it's a brand spanking new fully functional ship, why not use it for its worth, and retire it to a museum after it has lived out its useful life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonLever Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Hold it. Didn't James Cameron built a replica of the Titanic for his movie? During daylight scenes, we clearly saw the ship sailing. It was definitely not a model. Remember when Leo Decaprio yelled, "I am king of the world", at the front of the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Hold it. Didn't James Cameron built a replica of the Titanic for his movie? During daylight scenes, we clearly saw the ship sailing. It was definitely not a model. Remember when Leo Decaprio yelled, "I am king of the world", at the front of the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiseupsucker Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 ive always thought the titanic would make a great vegas theme hotel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BuckFoston Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 OR... he could build a school, create a green zone, maybe a few playgrounds... community centers. But that's way too useful so let's stick to the original pointless plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Sometimes the past belongs in the past. A lot of people lost their lives - like retired hockey jerseys, the name Titanic should remain "retired". A monument? Sure. No need to raise her from the dead.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buggernut Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 You'd be surprised. A replica that is ship-worthy at any time that LOOKS like the Titanic? They could have walk-in tours of the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.