[Sod_James]

Sorry but with the excitment i just had to post this.



A life-size replica of parts of the Titanic could be added to Belfast's Odyssey Arena if a US-backed development plan is accepted.

Suspended behind glass, the £64m scale model of the boat would incorporate a five-star hotel, an exhibition area and conference rooms.

The Odyssey Trust and Florida-based exhibition firm WLM Inc are seeking more than £39m in government funding.

The 100th anniversary of the tragedy in 2012 is expected to attract tourists.

The proposal by American Titanic enthusiast Michael Harris includes a large scale model of the ship as well as life-size replicas of various parts of its interior.

Mr Harris already runs a large Titanic exhibition in Florida and has been to Belfast recently to discuss his proposals with partners in Northern Ireland.

A decision on whether the project will be allowed to go ahead will be made this summer.

Mr Harris said the replica would be suspended 50 feet above the ground.

"The ship will be interactive and visitors will be able to explore its intricacies before travelling into actual re-creations of some of its most important elements including walking the grand staircase and seeing the luxury of the first class eating and sleeping facilities, as well as the great boilers and the bridge before venturing outside to experience the magnitude of the tragedy of April 14, 1912," he said.

The Titanic Quarter project has run into difficulties after failing to secure lottery money, even though more than two-thirds of the funding has already been secured.

It emerged earlier this year that Belfast City Council may invest £10m of ratepayers' money to ensure it goes ahead.

The Titanic was built in the city's Harland and Wolff shipyard before going on to sink on its maiden voyage, killing more than 1,500 people.

[Bells]

It sounds great, but I reckon if I ever saw it I'd just get all emotional because of what happened.

[Scarlett.]

They should rebuild the ship, it'd be amazing to say "I sailed on the Titanic (II)"

[Sod_James]

Originally posted by Chewy
They should rebuild the ship, it'd be amazing to say "I sailed on the Titanic (II)"

Very ture, although the amount of changes they would have to make to obtain a liscence to travel paying passengers woulud mean the ship's look would change so much people wouldnt know it was meant to be Titanic II

The lifeboats
The bridge and navigation system
The engines and the boilers
The general layout of the ship

and loads more.

[Callum]

Wow, I am so interested by the Titanic, I find it fascinating. I hope this replica goes ahead, I'd defenitley visit it. I heard there like making a Titanic village or something in Belfast?

[Sod_James]

Originally posted by Callum
Wow, I am so interested by the Titanic, I find it fascinating. I hope this replica goes ahead, I'd defenitley visit it. I heard there like making a Titanic village or something in Belfast?

yep the Titanic signature project is a complete regeneration of the Titanic quater and will see the slipways where she was built and her sister ship Olympic brought up to date. and the old offices of Halrand and Wolff will be regenerated.

My advice. if you are really interested in Titanic then Belfast is a really good place to visit.

[Mrluvaluva]

Wasn't there a conspiracy theory that it was hit by a torpedo from a Russian submarine?

[Sod_James]

Originally posted by Mrluvaluva
Wasn't there a conspiracy theory that it was hit by a torpedo from a Russian submarine?

That was her sister ship Britannic which was sunk in 1916 at the height of the war of the coast of greece. Supposidly she hit a mine but some ppl believe she was torpedoed by a german u boat.

[Mark]

I was in America on April 14th a few years back, and dragged my family along to http://www.orlandowelcomecenter.com/...exhibition.htm Was a really fun day, and a really good exhibition. It wouldn't have been half as good if we hadn't gone on the actual date though

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Sod_James

That was her sister ship Britannic which was sunk in 1916 at the height of the war of the coast of greece. Supposidly she hit a mine but some people believe she was torpedoed by a german u boat.

Ahh Ok. Somebody was telling me about a programme on about it last week. They must have got it mixed up. Or I did. Lol

[Sod_James]

Originally posted by Mrluvaluva

Ahh Ok. Somebody was telling me about a programme on about it last week. They must have got it mixed up. Or I did. Lol

lol well there are loads of consiparcies about the Titanic so i wouldnt be suprises if someone dreamed that one up.

i cant see it somehow though. What would a german u boat be doing in the middle of the North Atlantic when no war was even going on.

[Nurse57]

"The lifeboats
The bridge and navigation system
The engines and the boilers
The general layout of the ship"

The hole.

[Nath]

Oh cool, my bf lives 5mins away from the Odyssey Arena ill probably see it.

[rainey]

that would be awesome what a country i live in