Titanic and Liverpool: The Untold Story

30 March 2012   - 31 December 2013

Throughout 2013. Free.

Commissioned to mark the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic, this compelling exhibition explores Liverpool's central role in the Titanic story. The exhibition features previously unseen collections of international significance including material from Merseyside Maritime Museum's extensive archives - for example a tragic letter from local girl May Louise McMurray that was never delivered. It complements the museum's existing permanent gallery, the hugely popular Titanic, Lusitania and the Forgotten Empress.

Told from perspectives of key personalities in the drama, the exhibition gives a unique insight into events surrounding the launch, voyage, the sinking and its aftermath. This is an incredible story told from a Liverpool angle.

"Not only was the Titanic's sinking a major world event, the tragedy was a bitter blow to the port and the people of Liverpool. The new exhibition lifts the lid on this largely-overlooked turmoil in the wake of the sinking which resounds to this day." - Dr Alan Scarth, author of Titanic and Liverpool.

The displays include:

• The only known surviving Titanic first class ticket
• A tragic letter from May Louise McMurray to the father she never saw again.
• The Ismay Testimonial Silver - only a few pieces from this stunning parcel-gilt dinner service have been displayed before
• Letters from passengers
• Many photos, including J Bruce Ismay and crew survivors returning to Liverpool
• An original copy of the British inquiry proceedings
• Original Harland and Wolff lifeboat blueprints
• Items salvaged from the wreck
• Telegrams from the rescue ship Carpathia

Among the many featured personalities are:

• J Bruce Ismay, chairman of the White Star Line, who controversially survived the disaster in one of the last lifeboats to leave the stricken liner.
• Former Crosby resident Captain Edward Smith, the veteran master approaching retirement when he went down with his ship.
• Chief Officer Henry Wilde, Liverpool-born, who lived in Walton.
• Fred Fleet, abandoned as a child in Liverpool, was the lookout who spotted the iceberg. He survived after taking charge of a lifeboat.
• Passenger Gladys Cherry, who survived the sinking and gave a moving first hand account of the moment the liner struck the iceberg.
• Fireman Fred Barrett, who was in the ship's boiler room number 6, and escaped from the inrushing water.
• Passenger Millie Brown who describes the experience of leaving the stricken ship in a letter written on board the Carpathia.
• Able Seaman Thomas Jones who took charge of number 8 lifeboat and described the rescue of passengers by the Carpathia.

This exhibition is part of the Liverpool and the World exhibition series, part-funded by the European Union.

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